Vicars’ Close is a mid-14th century CE dead end street in Wells, Somerset, that is reportedly Europe’s oldest residential street with the original buildings still intact [5862×8213]
Vicars’ Close is a mid-14th century CE dead end street in Wells, Somerset, that is reportedly Europe’s oldest residential street with the original buildings still intact [5862×8213]
The houses were built to house the “chantry priests” attached to the cathedral–whose job it was to chant service eight times a day.
These were pretty swanky dwellings for the 14th century! “Both [floors] had a fireplace in the front wall. Washing facilities and a latrine were outside the back door.”
The width of the lane is tapered to make it seem longer than it really is when you look down it from the main entrance by the cathedral. You can even see this effect in the bottom picture. Viewed from the end of the lane, looking toward the cathedral, it looks shorter (top picture).
egidione on
Just walked past here, always makes me smile!
RandomRavenclaw87 on
I think there must be a lot of period filming done here. The street seems so familiar.
vvitchteeth on
I guess “dead end street” sounds a lot cooler than cul-de-sac
nothisistheotherguy on
Looks like roof repairs are allowed to use tiles on the rear facing side only due to listed status
6 Comments
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicars%27_Close,_Wells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicars%27_Close,_Wells)
Wow, this is so cool!
The houses were built to house the “chantry priests” attached to the cathedral–whose job it was to chant service eight times a day.
These were pretty swanky dwellings for the 14th century! “Both [floors] had a fireplace in the front wall. Washing facilities and a latrine were outside the back door.”
The width of the lane is tapered to make it seem longer than it really is when you look down it from the main entrance by the cathedral. You can even see this effect in the bottom picture. Viewed from the end of the lane, looking toward the cathedral, it looks shorter (top picture).
Just walked past here, always makes me smile!
I think there must be a lot of period filming done here. The street seems so familiar.
I guess “dead end street” sounds a lot cooler than cul-de-sac
Looks like roof repairs are allowed to use tiles on the rear facing side only due to listed status