The fight to restore street that's a medieval marvel

Choir singers have lived in two handsome terraces of silvery-pink-stoned medieval houses beside Wells Cathedral for more than 650 years.

- By Tom Wall

But the gated close - which is thought to be the most complete and continuously occupied medieval street in Europe - is now in desperate need of restoration.

"It's a privilege to live here - it's a unique place," said Matthew Minter, 52, who has lived in the close for almost seven years and sings in the cathedral. "But [the house] is cold. The windows leak £10 notes every time you put the heating on... and the roof leaks actual water." The Somerset cathedral has been fundraising to protect the deteriorating fabric of the Grade I listed terraces, including re-roofing, new insulation, drainage improvements, wall conservation and joinery repairs. It also wants to permanently open up two houses and create a visitor centre because many tourists walk past without realising the street is a medieval marvel.

So far, the cathedral's campaign to save the close has received a £4.4m ($5.5m) grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £1.9m from other donors. But the campaign still needs almost £800,000 to complete the £7m project, which is due to start in the summer and last four years.