Wells Cathedral unleashes mythical creatures

Strapline: Dragons, unicorns and phoenixes are loose at Wells Cathedral in a summer family trail.

Standfirst: Wells Cathedral is launching a Mythical Creatures summer trail from 6 July to 1 September, with family activities included in admission.

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Meta description: Wells Cathedral is running a Mythical Creatures family trail from 6 July to 1 September, with dragons, unicorns and summer workshops.

Dragons, unicorns, griffins and phoenixes have apparently escaped into Wells Cathedral this summer. Frankly, after the weather we have had, this feels about right.

The cathedral is launching its Mythical Creatures experience from 6 July to 1 September, inviting families to track down magical beasts said to have broken free from the pages of an ancient book in the cathedral library. The self-guided trail is included with admission to Wells Cathedral, or with a valid admission pass.

The story begins with the Historia Naturalis, described by the cathedral as one of its most ancient and mysterious texts. Its pages are meant to be full of dragons, griffins, phoenixes and unicorns, all safely bound together since 1650, but the book has now been found on the floor with its pages mysteriously empty.

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The cathedral said: "Our resident librarian spotted it first; the book knocked to the floor, the pages fluttering in the breeze, except suddenly they were completely empty.

"Where have all these mythical creatures gone?"

The answer, apparently, is not very far. Families will be invited to follow clues around the cathedral, spot giant mythical creatures, visit an observation station and try creative activities as they help send the escapees back where they belong.

The Dean of Wells is said to have seen a red tail flick around a corner during a sermon. Visitors have reportedly heard hooves clacking up the Chapter House steps, while the Wells Cathedral Choir have heard swooping sounds and seen huge wing shadows spread across the ceiling.

Alongside the trail, the cathedral is running a line-up of free Mythical Creatures workshops with cathedral admission. The summer programme includes singing, puppet-making, illuminated lettering, clay modelling and printmaking.

Singing Serpents workshops will take place on Thursday, 23 July, Thursday, 30 July, Thursday, 20 August, and Thursday, 27 August, at 11.30 am. Children will be invited to use their voices to communicate with the escaped serpentine dragons in the Chapter House.

A Make a Dragon Puppet workshop will run on Tuesday, 4 August, and Tuesday, 18 August, from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. Children will be able to use a template to create a dragon puppet and teach it a few tricks, which seems sensible if dragons are now part of the cathedral's summer staffing situation.

Be a Bookmaker workshops will be held on Wednesday, 5 August, and Wednesday, 19 August, from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. The activity invites families to make a mini Chained Library book and fill it with animal-inspired illuminated lettering.

Print a Picture sessions will run on Tuesday, 11 August, and Tuesday, 25 August, from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. Families will design a mythical creature and explore printing techniques inspired by woodblock prints found in the cathedral library's books.

Make a Clay Creature workshops will take place on Wednesday, 12 August, and Wednesday, 26 August, from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. Children will be able to bring their own mythical creature ideas to life using clay.

The Mythical Creatures trail runs at Wells Cathedral from Monday, 6 July, to Tuesday, 1 September.

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