Chain Gate, Wells

Chain Gate
Location within Somerset
General information
Location Wells, Somerset
Coordinates 51°12′39″N 2°38′36″W / 51.210829°N 2.64333°W / 51.210829; -2.64333
Completed c1460

The Chain Gate in Wells, Somerset, England, is an entrance gateway adjacent to the north side of Wells Cathedral, controlling access from St Andrew Street to the Cathedral Green within the Liberty of St Andrew. It is a Grade I listed building.[1]

It was built c.1460 for Bishop Thomas Beckington and is a two-storey building of Doulting stone ashlar with a Welsh slate roof.[2] The lower level comprises a wagon gate flanked on both sides by pedestrian gates. The upper level provides a passageway between the Chapter House of the cathedral and Vicars' Close.[3]

An undated sketch by Henry Edridge (1768 - 1821) shows the Chain Gate in the late 18th or early 19th century, with a much taller wall than exists today alongside the road approaching the gate.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "THE CHAIN GATE WITH APPROACH STAIRCASE". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "The Chain Gate, with approach staircase (1382904)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "The Chain Gate, with approach staircase". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Edridge, Henry. "Henry EdridgeWells. A Gothic Gateway and Old Houses, the Tower of the Cathedral Just Visible". Tate. Retrieved 25 November 2013.


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