Can This Medieval British Street Be Saved?

Choir singers have lived in two handsome terraces of silvery-pink-stoned medieval houses beside Wells Cathedral for more than 650 years. But the gated close – which is thought to be the most complete and continuously occupied medieval street in Europe – is now in desperate need of restoration.

“It’s a privilege to live here – it’s a unique place,” says Matthew Minter, 52, who has lived in the close for almost seven years and sings in the cathedral. “But [the house] is cold. The windows leak £10 notes every time you put the heating on… and the roof leaks actual water.”

The Somerset cathedral has been fundraising to protect the deteriorating fabric of the Grade-1 listed terraces, including re-roofing, new insulation, drainage improvements to prevent water damage, wall conservation and joinery repairs. It also wants to improve public access by permanently opening up two houses and creating a visitor centre because many tourists walk past the street without realising it is one of Europe’s finest medieval marvels.

So far, the cathedral’s campaign to save the close has received a £4.4m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £1.9m from other donors. But the campaign still needs almost £800,000 to complete the £7m project, which is due to start in the summer and last four years.

The cathedral’s dean, Toby Wright, warns that the singers would have to move out if the houses were allowed to fall into disrepair: “The roofs are failing. The guttering is failing. The windows are failing. If we don’t look after this treasure, we’re going to lose it. The stakes are that high.”

It is the presence of the choir members through the centuries that gives the close its distinctive character. “It’s a remarkable [street] because it’s still used for its original purpose,” says Wright, gesturing down the street as singers come and go from their houses. “It is internationally unique.”

The street is known as Vicars’ Close because the singers, who provide the altos, tenors and basses of the choir, were once called vicars. They originally lodged in the town but one of Wright’s forebears – Bishop Ralph – moved them into the purpose-built homes on the cathedral grounds in 1348 to stop them from succumbing to worldly temptations.

A bridge was added in 1459 so the choir members could get from their homes to the cathedral without encountering locals. “They started to get into trouble with what they termed ‘incontinence’, which meant getting involved with women. So [the cathedral] built a bridge so they didn’t have to go outside – to keep them safe,” says Wright.

The singers used to share meals in a communal hall overlooking the street, which will be opened up as part of the project. They now have their own kitchens but the close remains a convivial community. “They have regular parties,” says Wright with a smile. “There was one the other night.”

The street reflects the twists and turns of British history. The original homes were intended for single men and comprised just two rooms. Tall chimneys and water pipes were added in the 15th century. After the reformation, most were knocked through to provide larger living quarters for wives and children.

It remains a living street rather than a museum exhibit. Outside one house is an Amazon parcel waiting to be picked up. Recycling bags and boxes are piled up beside others. But it still owes much to the past: the residents do not own or rent the homes from the cathedral. “It’s a grace-and-favour house… we don’t pay any rent, but it’s part of our package,” explains Minter. “The stipend we get is the pocket money.”

The project will also open up the singers’ chapel, which sits at one end of the close. There will be tours of some of the previously hidden parts of the buildings, including an almost completely untouched medieval treasury and records office that can be reached only through a disguised door and narrow spiral staircase.

“This is my absolute favourite bit of the whole cathedral,” says Wright, squeezing through the staircase into the treasury. “It is so untouched. The cathedral is utterly magnificent but it’s had stage after stage of renewal, restoration and development, whereas this is a step back in time.”

But more money is needed to fully secure the future of the street and reveal its secrets to the wider public. “We’ve still got £800,000 to go,” says Wright. “We hope this place will catch the people’s imagination and they will want to invest in making sure it is a living reality in the future… we do need to do it.”

Back on the street, Minter is excited to be singing again in the choir after a period of absence with illness. He still feels inspired by the uninterrupted history of the close: “It’s incredible to feel that we’re walking in the steps of our ancestors, doing this wonderful role.”