Wells Bishop's Eye set for specialist stone repairs

By Laura Linham 21st Aug 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 21st Aug 2026

One of Wells' most recognisable gateways could undergo specialist repairs after cracks were found in stone steps, walls and a column.

A listed building application for the Bishop's Eye has been submitted to Somerset Council, proposing repairs using stainless steel dowels, resin and specialist reinforcement known as Helibars. The application, reference 2026/1127/LBC is currently awaiting a decision from Somerset Council.

The work would include stitching cracked stone stair treads as well as repairs to a stone column and cracks within the walls. Once the structural work is complete, the repaired cracks would be finished with lime mortar chosen to match the existing stonework.

Documents lodged with the application include structural surveys, repair specifications and detailed drawings of the southern turret. The council is currently targeting a decision by 23 September 2026, although that date can change as an application progresses.

The Bishop's Eye stands at the eastern end of Wells Market Place and forms the grand entrance towards the Bishop's Palace. Built around 1451 for Bishop Thomas Bekynton, the three-storey gatehouse is Grade I listed and constructed from Doulting stone.

Historic England describes it as noticeably grander than the gateway into Cathedral Green, with its turrets, traceried windows, statue niches and carved shields making it one of the defining pieces of architecture around Market Place. It has been part of the route between the city and the Bishop's Palace for more than five centuries.

The new application is separate from an earlier attempt to repair the Bishop's Eye's historic timber gates. Somerset Council refused that listed building application in March after deciding there was not enough information to assess the impact of those works on the Grade I-listed structure.

This time, the focus is on the stonework rather than the gates, with a detailed repair schedule and structural information submitted alongside the proposal. For a gateway that has been standing since the 15th century, a little careful stitching is perhaps preferable to waiting for the cracks to make their own plans.