The Old Deanery of

Wells Cathedral Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England, dedicated to St Andrew the Apostle. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose cathedra it holds as mother church of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Built as a ...

Wells Wells most commonly refers to: * Wells, Somerset, a cathedral city in Somerset, England * Well, an excavation or structure created in the ground * Wells (name) Wells may also refer to: Places Canada *Wells, British Columbia England * Wells ...

Somerset ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...

, England, dates from the 12th century. Along with the gatehouse and boundary walls has been designated as a Grade I

listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

. It was used as the primary residence for the Dean of the Cathedral (who enjoyed a short commute across the city green) between the years 1230 and 1958, after which is became office and the administrative centre for the Diocese of Bath and Wells until 2020, when the building was placed up for sale. As of 2022 the building is now under private ownership, and is a private residence. The 12th-century building, on Cathedral Green was largely rebuilt in the late 15th century by Dean Gunthorpe. It was further remodelled and the south range refenestrated by Dean Bathurst in the late 17th century. The two storey south front of the building looking out over the green to the cathedral has six

bays A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a gulf, sea, sound, or bight. A cove is a small, circular bay with a narr ...

which contain 17th century

sash window A sash window or hung sash window is made of one or more movable panels, or "sashes". The individual sashes are traditionally paned window (architecture), paned windows, but can now contain an individual sheet (or sheets, in the case of double gla ...

s. It is no longer the home of the Dean and served as offices for the

Diocese of Bath and Wells The Diocese of Bath and Wells is a diocese in the Church of England Province of Canterbury in England. The diocese covers the county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells is located in the C ...

and provided a resource centre for Christian Education for the diocese. Extensive rebuilding work since 1989 has included the insertion of an oak staircase and addition of a first floor above the education department. The diocesan offices were moved out of the Old Deanery and in 2020 the building was placed up for sale. William Turner when he was dean between 1551 and 1568, established a

herb garden The traditional kitchen garden, vegetable garden, also known as a potager (from the French ) or in Scotland a kailyaird, is a space separate from the rest of the residential garden – the ornamental plants and lawn areas. It is used for grow ...

. The garden was recreated between 2003 and 2010. In April 2022, a bid was accepted for the property from a private buyer, and in September 2022 a

planning permission Planning permission or developmental approval refers to the approval needed for construction or expansion (including significant renovation), and sometimes for demolition, in some jurisdictions. It is usually given in the form of a building perm ...

application was submitted to return the building to private residential use. As of March 2023 this planning application was approved, and the building is, once again, a private residence.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wells, Old Deanery 12th-century church buildings in England Grade I listed buildings in Mendip District Wells Cathedral Buildings and structures in Wells, Somerset

See also

References