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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

User submitted image — Uploaded by Paul Adams This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Date:: 2007-08-04
Reference:: IOE01/16715/22
Rights:: © Mr John H. Sparkes. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1382904
Date first listed:: 12-Nov-1953
Date of most recent amendment:: 30-May-2000
List Entry Name:: THE CHAIN GATE WITH APPROACH STAIRCASE
Statutory Address 1:: THE CHAIN GATE WITH APPROACH STAIRCASE, CATHEDRAL GREEN

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

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.