The Cathedral Church of St Andrew
My dad said, 'I really think you should consider going to Wells. It's supposed to be one of the most beautiful of the English Cathedrals.' I didn't really consider it until I was in Salisbury, and then it occurred to me; 'When will be the next time I am this far west in England, with time to spare? Why not seize the moment?' I am so glad that I did!
I drove into Somerset, glimpsing Glastonbury's tor in the distance. Approaching the town from the east, the Cathedral has a similar impact on the landscape to Ely's Cathedral -it rises to greet you. I wandered through the tiny town to find it and discovered a pleasingly relaxed approach to donations (£6 was recommended), though a photo licence was required.
The West Front exterior is dramatic.
Inside is breath-taking.
The scissor arches in the nave are one thing (what a lovely solution to the pressing practical problem of insecure foundations!), but quite another thing was the amazing sense of beauty, joy and peace which this space seemed to convey.
The clock was a focal point on the hour, -it's such fun, with jousters and tunes, and it made sense that the duty chaplain led prayers from there after the chimes.
The chapter house was reached by age-worn stairs and was hosting an exhibition of abstract paintings
by Alison Thistlethwaite and landscapes
by her husband David.
I was really impressed by the altar frontals of Jane Lemon and Maurice Strike on display around the building (see one example here).
The cloister was glassed in, and not as spectacular as the Cathedral, but the old garden, with the exposed foundations of the ancient Lady Chapel, and peep-hole through to the springs in the palace garden were new delights.
Altogether this was a really lovely experience.
(I did look very hard for the crozier of 13th century Bishop Jocelin,
but alas, did not manage to locate it!)
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