Grade I listed 12th century deanery that has housed 62 deans for sale for the first time ever; it could become a most remarkable home
An 18,000 square foot, Grade I listed building that has been home to 62 deans of Wells Cathedral over 800 years is offered for sale for the first time ever.
The Old Deanery, which adjoins the Cathedral Green and overlooks Wells Cathedral itself, has been used as the diocesan offices since the 1940s and stands in a Tudor herb garden that was originally planted by Dean William Turner, “the father of English botany,” and restored between 2003 and 2010.
Divided into four wings and features accommodation over three floors, the house, in spite of its most recent function as offices, retains many original features. Jacobean paneling, gargoyles on the parapets, glittering stained glass and Georgian shuttering abound and now an individual seeking to create a truly palatial home is in with a chance to turn this historic structure into such.
Lodestone Property offer The Old Deanery with a guide price of £2.5 million ($3.2 million, €2.8 million or درهم11.7 million) and seek best and final offers by 12 noon on Thursday 12th September 2019.
The Diocese of Bath & Wells is selling because the building provides poor disabled access, has a limited number of meeting rooms and has been deemed costly to repair, maintain and run. They intend to use funds raised from the sale to construct new 16,000 square foot diocesan offices elsewhere in the city.
“Despite the rich history of the Old Deanery, its location, and the fondness in which we hold it, the building was not functioning effectively as a modern, welcoming office and meeting space, due to lack of investment. Action needed to be taken.”
Of the sale, Nick May, the diocesan secretary, told the Church Times:
“The diocese fully appreciates the building’s historical significance, and the fondness in which it is held by many local people, as well as staff who work there, and is committed to ensuring any sale is approached and handled sensitively.”
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