Wells Cathedral receives complaints as it begins charging tourists entry
One man claims he was screamed at for refusing to pay
Last updated 30th Apr 2024
Wells Cathedral has come under fire for introducing a £14 charge for tourists.
Children, local residents and people visiting to worship are exempt from the new charges and the fee allows tourists access for a year.
Commenters online have described the change as "utterly disgraceful."
One person posted this comment: "Another example of people getting priced out of places in their own country.
"We’ll soon be charged to use public footpaths to go for a walk."
The cathedral has confirmed it received a complaint from one man who said he was screamed at on the door for refusing to pay.
The complaint read: "The Cathedral is primarily a place of prayer and reflection and I dropped in this morning for exactly that.
"As I walked in the door staff screamed at me that there was a fee to pay.
"As I'm coming in for prayer I do not need to pay that but I also don't feel it's appropriate to have to explain myself.
"I will continue to enter the cathedral regularly to say my prayers and I will not pay a door fee.
"I do not appreciate being shouted at by aggressive door staff as I enter and exit the church."
However, others have defended the change online.
"I would happily pay gladly, if it means our heritage and centuries of historical buildings and places will be able to be there for the future generations yet to come," said one commenter.
Wells Cathedral have said they are investigating the complaint.
In a statement, they added: "Wells Cathedral introduced changes to its admission guidelines on 22nd April 2024 with free passes for local people, for parishioners in the Diocese and a new entry charge for adult tourists.
"It costs £4,500 each day to run this Grade 1 listed cathedral and, like all Church of England cathedrals, Wells receives limited funding from the church and government relying on donations, legacies and grants as well as the income we can generate ourselves.
"All money raised will be ploughed back into the cathedral to fund worship and mission, care and restoration of the fabric, visitor operations, hospitality and outreach.
"Wells Cathedral remains free to enter for worship, prayer and to light a candle and, since the introduction of the changes, has welcomed many people who want to pray and attend services via barrier-free entry.
"We are aware of a recent complaint from one individual however and have been in direct contact with the individual concerned. As with all complaints we are following cathedral procedures and fully investigating the complaint, including reviewing the Cathedral’s CCTV."