The external dial of the Wells Cathedral Clock, newly restored in 2023, the second oldest continuously running clock in Britain. Somerset, England, UK.
Wells Cathedral, officially referred to as the Cathedral of St Andrew in Wells, was built between 1175 and 1490, and has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”. The famous Wells clock is considered to be the second oldest clock in Britain, and probably the world, to be surviving and in continuous use. The oldest parts, and the original dial, are inside the cathedral and were made around 1390. This image is of a second clock face which is situated on the outside of the cathedral and was built and connected to the original workings about seventy years later. The clocks mechanism has been replaced twice since the 14th century but the face and figures are original. However 630 years of history (and hand winding) came to an end on August 23rd 2010 when the clockwork was replaced with an automatic electric motor. A recent restoration to repair and redecorate the external clock was completed in 2023.
Size: 2848px × 4288px
Location: Wells Cathedral, St Andrew’s Street, Wells, Somerset, England, United Kingdom, UK, Great Britain, GB
Photo credit: © Andrew Wood / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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