Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks

Wells Cathedral, located 31 kilometers south of Bristol in Somerset, England, is a masterpiece of early English Gothic architecture. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, it is renowned for its striking west front adorned with hundreds of medieval statues, its impressive scissor arches supporting the central tower, its beautifully preserved Chapter House, and its turret clock, which remained at the Cathedral until the 19th century when it was replaced with a more modern design.

As the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, it remains an active place of worship and a popular destination for visitors drawn to its rich history and architectural splendor.

My wife and I used Bristol in May 2024 as a staging point for our visit to the area, including a trip to Bath. Had I realized beforehand that Wells Cathedral was so close, we would have made a point to visit it.

While most of the Wells Cathedral clock is displayed at the British Science Museum in London England, parts including the hands, dial, and animated figures remain at the Cathedral.

The clock has been meticulously maintained to this day.

“The clock is one of the Science Museum’s most cherished exhibits. It chimes every quarter hour and strikes each hour. The ingenuity of clockmakers throughout history has helped shape our lives. Clocks today are still at the heart of modern science, technology, and engineering.”

We will make a point to visit the cathedral next time we are in the UK.