The North Transept

In the North Transept is one of the oldest clocks in the world. It was made in 1392. Every quarter of an hour Jack Blandiver kicks two bells with his heals. On the hour, he hits a third bell with a hammer in his right hand, while knights on horseback joust each other. One poor knight has been knocked off his horse every hour for 600 years!

At the same time, a big bell in the tower rings the hour for the city of Wells .

On the clock face, the outside ring shows the hour with a big star that is the sun. The next ring shows the minutes with a tiny star. The inside ring shows the day of the lunar month with a trident. The moon is also shown as it will appear in the night sky - it changes little by little every day with the phase of the moon.

Underneath the clock is a modern carving showing Jesus crucified, risen (shown by the grave clothes falling away) and ascending into heaven.

In the busy summer months, a Chaplain will lead prayers here every hour.