St Cuthbert's church in Wells would be a worthy landmark in any town but is somewhat eclipsed here in this small cathedral-city by the incomparable mother-church that stands a mere ten minute walk away and leaves even this fine building in the shade. St Cuthbert's subsequently doesn't perhaps receive the attention or visitors it deserves, and yet is a grand enough building in its own right to be mistaken for the cathedral by some of the only other visitors who wandered in while I was here!
Most of the present building is of 15th century date in a proud Perpendicular style with one of the most handsome of Somerset's many fine late medieval towers at the west end.
Inside the sense of space is impressive, but the eye is drawn most the the rich wooden roof over the nave, replete with an array of angels adorning the main beams, all brightly recoloured in the 1960s. There is much fine woodwork and carving in the roofs throughout the church, and yet perhaps the most interesting features here are the ambitious reredoses surviving in the transepts, sadly heavily mutilated after the Reformation and shorn of most of their sculptures (a few fragments remain and a defaced reclining figure in the south transept indicates the reredos on this side once formed a tree of Jesse).
Of course the visitor to Wells should prioritise the magnificent cathedral, but anyone with more time to explore the city should see this fine church, which is fine enough to be the main attraction anywhere else.
St Cuthbert's church is normally kept open and welcoming to visitors during the day.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Cuthbert%27s_Church,_Wells
Tags: Wells church Somerset medieval architecture Gothic Perpendicular
© All Rights Reserved
St Cuthbert's church in Wells would be a worthy landmark in any town but is somewhat eclipsed here in this small cathedral-city by the incomparable mother-church that stands a mere ten minute walk away and leaves even this fine building in the shade. St Cuthbert's subsequently doesn't perhaps receive the attention or visitors it deserves, and yet is a grand enough building in its own right to be mistaken for the cathedral by some of the only other visitors who wandered in while I was here!
Most of the present building is of 15th century date in a proud Perpendicular style with one of the most handsome of Somerset's many fine late medieval towers at the west end.
Inside the sense of space is impressive, but the eye is drawn most the the rich wooden roof over the nave, replete with an array of angels adorning the main beams, all brightly recoloured in the 1960s. There is much fine woodwork and carving in the roofs throughout the church, and yet perhaps the most interesting features here are the ambitious reredoses surviving in the transepts, sadly heavily mutilated after the Reformation and shorn of most of their sculptures (a few fragments remain and a defaced reclining figure in the south transept indicates the reredos on this side once formed a tree of Jesse).
Of course the visitor to Wells should prioritise the magnificent cathedral, but anyone with more time to explore the city should see this fine church, which is fine enough to be the main attraction anywhere else.
St Cuthbert's church is normally kept open and welcoming to visitors during the day.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Cuthbert%27s_Church,_Wells
Tags: Wells church Somerset medieval architecture Gothic Perpendicular
© All Rights Reserved
St Cuthbert's church in Wells would be a worthy landmark in any town but is somewhat eclipsed here in this small cathedral-city by the incomparable mother-church that stands a mere ten minute walk away and leaves even this fine building in the shade. St Cuthbert's subsequently doesn't perhaps receive the attention or visitors it deserves, and yet is a grand enough building in its own right to be mistaken for the cathedral by some of the only other visitors who wandered in while I was here!
Most of the present building is of 15th century date in a proud Perpendicular style with one of the most handsome of Somerset's many fine late medieval towers at the west end.
Inside the sense of space is impressive, but the eye is drawn most the the rich wooden roof over the nave, replete with an array of angels adorning the main beams, all brightly recoloured in the 1960s. There is much fine woodwork and carving in the roofs throughout the church, and yet perhaps the most interesting features here are the ambitious reredoses surviving in the transepts, sadly heavily mutilated after the Reformation and shorn of most of their sculptures (a few fragments remain and a defaced reclining figure in the south transept indicates the reredos on this side once formed a tree of Jesse).
Of course the visitor to Wells should prioritise the magnificent cathedral, but anyone with more time to explore the city should see this fine church, which is fine enough to be the main attraction anywhere else.
St Cuthbert's church is normally kept open and welcoming to visitors during the day.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Cuthbert%27s_Church,_Wells
Tags: Wells church Somerset medieval architecture Gothic Perpendicular
© All Rights Reserved
St Cuthbert's church in Wells would be a worthy landmark in any town but is somewhat eclipsed here in this small cathedral-city by the incomparable mother-church that stands a mere ten minute walk away and leaves even this fine building in the shade. St Cuthbert's subsequently doesn't perhaps receive the attention or visitors it deserves, and yet is a grand enough building in its own right to be mistaken for the cathedral by some of the only other visitors who wandered in while I was here!
Most of the present building is of 15th century date in a proud Perpendicular style with one of the most handsome of Somerset's many fine late medieval towers at the west end.
Inside the sense of space is impressive, but the eye is drawn most the the rich wooden roof over the nave, replete with an array of angels adorning the main beams, all brightly recoloured in the 1960s. There is much fine woodwork and carving in the roofs throughout the church, and yet perhaps the most interesting features here are the ambitious reredoses surviving in the transepts, sadly heavily mutilated after the Reformation and shorn of most of their sculptures (a few fragments remain and a defaced reclining figure in the south transept indicates the reredos on this side once formed a tree of Jesse).
Of course the visitor to Wells should prioritise the magnificent cathedral, but anyone with more time to explore the city should see this fine church, which is fine enough to be the main attraction anywhere else.
St Cuthbert's church is normally kept open and welcoming to visitors during the day.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Cuthbert%27s_Church,_Wells
Tags: Wells church Somerset medieval architecture Gothic Perpendicular
© All Rights Reserved
St Cuthbert's church in Wells would be a worthy landmark in any town but is somewhat eclipsed here in this small cathedral-city by the incomparable mother-church that stands a mere ten minute walk away and leaves even this fine building in the shade. St Cuthbert's subsequently doesn't perhaps receive the attention or visitors it deserves, and yet is a grand enough building in its own right to be mistaken for the cathedral by some of the only other visitors who wandered in while I was here!
Most of the present building is of 15th century date in a proud Perpendicular style with one of the most handsome of Somerset's many fine late medieval towers at the west end.
Inside the sense of space is impressive, but the eye is drawn most the the rich wooden roof over the nave, replete with an array of angels adorning the main beams, all brightly recoloured in the 1960s. There is much fine woodwork and carving in the roofs throughout the church, and yet perhaps the most interesting features here are the ambitious reredoses surviving in the transepts, sadly heavily mutilated after the Reformation and shorn of most of their sculptures (a few fragments remain and a defaced reclining figure in the south transept indicates the reredos on this side once formed a tree of Jesse).
Of course the visitor to Wells should prioritise the magnificent cathedral, but anyone with more time to explore the city should see this fine church, which is fine enough to be the main attraction anywhere else.
St Cuthbert's church is normally kept open and welcoming to visitors during the day.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Cuthbert%27s_Church,_Wells
Tags: Wells church Somerset medieval roof ceiling woodwork wood carving Gothic Perpendicular architecture
© All Rights Reserved