The Chain Gate With Approach Staircase
THE CHAIN GATE WITH APPROACH STAIRCASE, CATHEDRAL GREEN
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1382904
- Date first listed:
- 12-Nov-1953
- List Entry Name:
- The Chain Gate With Approach Staircase
- Statutory Address:
- THE CHAIN GATE WITH APPROACH STAIRCASE, CATHEDRAL GREEN
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2007-08-04
- Reference:
- IOE01/16715/22
- Rights:
- © Mr John H. Sparkes. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1382904
- Date first listed:
- 12-Nov-1953
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 31-May-2000
- List Entry Name:
- The Chain Gate With Approach Staircase
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE CHAIN GATE WITH APPROACH STAIRCASE, CATHEDRAL GREEN
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE CHAIN GATE WITH APPROACH STAIRCASE, CATHEDRAL GREEN
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Somerset (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Wells
- National Grid Reference:
- ST 55152 45930
Details
WELLS
ST5445
662-1/7/36
CATHEDRAL GREEN
(East side)
The Chain Gate, with approach staircase
(Formerly Listed as: CATHEDRAL GREEN Cathedral Church of St Andrew (including Chain Gate and Cloisters))
12/11/53
I
Gateway, with enclosed stair to Chapter House (qv) and to Vicars' Hall (qv). 1460, for Bishop Beckington. Doulting stone ashlar, Welsh slate roof with stone ridge, with plain gable to north and abutment to south.
EXTERIOR: two storeys, west elevation four and three bays. Moulded strings to first floor level and underside of crenellated parapet. North four bays have panelled faces with angled pinnacles starting from floor string, lower bays one and four have four-centre pedestrian arches with two tiers of three-unit panelling over, and bays two and three share the matching wagon arch two-light C15 transomed and traceried window of almost unique type, the windows to bays two and three being wider as they have a statue niche instead of central mullion. Remaining three bays plainer, the ground floor incorporating some C12 work, with large segmental pointed open arch to bay two, and the first floor having three-light windows with linked labels. All merlons and panels between them panelled. To south, two bays of heavier C12 construction enclosing the Chapter House access stair, with string and parapet on rake, buttresses and two four-light Geometric traceried windows with pointed arched labels and sloping sills, all linking into the north transept of the Cathedral (qv). East elevation similar in character.
INTERIOR: includes the approach staircase, with partial curl into the Chapter House (qv), part 1240/1286 but the upper part 1459, in vaulted lobby, a celebrated feature. Cornice with fleurons beneath roof with roll-moulded wall plate and canted rafters; three-bay south section has steps up from Chapter House doorway, plank door to central bay with axial roof and four-bay section over road with lower bay to doorway to Vicars Hall (qv).
This entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 20 February 2018.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 483307
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 07-Jul-2026 at 19:52:28.
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