Opening Times

April-September 7.00am-7.00pm
October-March 7.00am-6.00pm

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

The architecture gives an immediate 'wow'. The volunteer guides are rigourously trained; tours are pitched to the age and ability of pupils. The workshops available for a 'Programmed Day' are specific to Wells and tailored to the group and topic. The new Education facilities offer secure bag storage, private toliets, and a lunch venue. The current charge offers excellent value for a school trip (£3.50 per student, staff free)

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

We hope students will leave with a sense of pride in their heritage, and a desire to cherish such buildings as adults. We hope they will feel comfortable and wish to return, at any stage in their lives. Factual information can be part of the day's objective; an awareness of spiritual feelings and appreciation of faith can also form part of the visit. Pre- and post-visit writing activities are easily accommodated.

What are the activities?

Building a model of the cathedral (workshop on history, form, spaces and uses of acthedral)
Lady Chapel window collages
Symbols and/or Coat of Arms workshop and badge making
Clay bosses
Time and badge making
Arches workshop
Sketching (Art PowerPoint)

What is the age range of the activities?

4-18 years

Sample programme of the activities:

We devise day programmes bespoke to each class/school visit, to suit their topic, age, and ability.

Most full day programmes have three sessions – a tour; a themed activity working in groups to produce items for school, and a craft activity relating to their visit creating a souvenir to take home.

What materials to you provide or suggest groups bring to support the visit?

We provide all materials, including clipboards, paper & pencils for sketching, and aprons for clay work.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

Adult supervision should be 10:1.
We can cater for groups of up to 90; larger groups by arrangement.

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

Risk Assessment provided with booking form.
A Planning Meeting looks at each Programmed Day.

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

Staff are encouraged to make a site visit.

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

In 2008 a spacious new education suite was opened.

It includes all the necessary rooms for interpretation and storage. With its secure access it offers special toilet facilities for children, cupboards for bags and coats and tables for crafts and/or lunch.

Is specific clothing required?

No.

Do you have first aid on site?

Yes.

Are there any restrictions on photos, copyright etc?

A photo permit for £3 covers the whole group for the day.
No flash photography in the Quire.