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Plaque commemorating William Turner
For many years Wells residents and visitors to the city wondered what lay beyond the high stone wall that adjoins the Old Deanery on Cathedral Green, where the Diocesan Office is situated.

There has been a garden here at the Old Deanery for more than 850 years! It is most famously associated with Dr William Turner, Dean of Wells (1551-1554, 1560-1568), known as 'The Father of English Botany'.

Plan of the garden

Since 2004, an enthusiastic group of gardeners and historians have been working to revive the Old Deanery Garden and to commemorate William Turner with plants familiar to, and catalogued by him.

Explore the garden, and find out more about its history and its redevelopment. If you would like to visit the garden, or support, or even join in the work, see the events page.