This cache is located on Vicars' Close, in Wells, Somerset, England. This street is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with its original buildings all surviving intact in Europe.
The street, built in the 14th century, is comprised of 27 dwellings, a chapel with attached library and a staircase to a walkway over the chain gate, linking the street to the Cathedral. There is a 3meter taper to the road - making it wider nearer the Cathedral and thinner towards the chapel. This was devised as an optical illusion - making the street look much lonnger from the wider end.
The close was built to house thirteen chantry priests, with the walkway above the chain gate as their personal entrance and exit to and from the Cathedral. This protected them from the temptations of the city and was used eight times a day, their duty being to chant divine service.
The Vicar's Chapel at the smaller end of the road was built c1424-1430. The lower floor is a chapel, and a spiral stair case leads up to the library. It is still used, and the chapel section is usually open to visitors.
The street is now residential, so you cannot enter any of the houses. Please also be quiet in the evenings and respectful if entering the chapel.
The cache is NOT inside the chapel and the street is a public right of way - so you may search at GZ. It is in a very obvious location, please replace as found - the more hidden the better.
I'm currently looking for people who might be able to help look after my caches whilst I'm away undertaking a doctorate. If you think you might be able to help, please do let me know by contacting me at geocachingjohn@googlemail.com (If you can't help maintain them long term, it would be wonderful if you could take along some spare logs/pencils/etc. to keep these caches alive, just in case).