Restoration of 'unique medieval treasure' begins

Vicars' Close was built in 1348 to house musicians from the nearby cathedral

A £7m restoration project is under way to restore a Grade I-listed street and open up some of its buildings to the public for the first time.

Built in Wells, Somerset, in 1348, Vicars' Close is reputedly Europe's oldest medieval street still being used for its original purpose.

It was originally built to house the singers of the Wells Vicars Choral and to this day it provides accommodation to the musicians, organist team and vergers who work at Wells Cathedral.

The Very Reverend Toby Wright, Dean of the cathedral, said: "This is a such a unique treasure in the world and we want everyone to know this space is there for them."

The restoration of the buildings requiring "urgent repairs" will include re-roofing, drainage improvements, wall conservation, exterior joinery repairs and crucially "getting the place watertight", the cathedral said.

The restoration work will allow four of the 27 houses and a sensory garden to be opened up to the public, it added.

Mr Wright said: "There are amazing opportunities for people to come and see what it was like historically."

The project is backed by a £4.4m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside support from donors and trusts.

Mr Wright added: "This is a gamechanger for us, having the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and all of those National Lottery players who enabled this investment means we are able to open this space up."

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset about the nature of the restoration, Mr Wright said this was "phase one".

The Very Reverend Toby Wright said "phase one" of the restoration project had begun

"We've been advised very carefully by external consultants who have been really helpful to identify the key areas that we need to work on," he said.

The cathedral needs to raise a further £800,000 to complete the project.

"We know the people of Somerset and beyond will want to get behind this because it is such a precious and unique opportunity.

"I want people to know that this space is for them regardless of whether they are people of faith or not," Mr Wright said.

The restoration is expected to be completed by spring 2027.