In 1786 the fourteenth century axial west tower of Hereford Cathedral collapsed. This came as no surprise since construction designed to prevent such an incident had been going on for some time. The rebuilding of 1788-90 by James Wyatt was in a mixed mid to late Gothic style, involved the loss of a bay of the nave, and was evidently inspired by the west end of Winchester Cathedral. Wyatt's efforts were not praised by Victorian restorers of the cathedral and in 1902-8 John Oldrid Scott built what we see today. He chose the Decorated style, small octagonal turrets to north and south where, more commonly, are found substantial towers, and an overall busyness that some find fussy.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Nikon Z 5
