Vicars' Close in Wells is said to be the oldest continuously inhabited ordinary residential street in Europe. Built for Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury in 1348 to house the Cathedral's 42 vicars (priests of the chantry) who had previously lived scattered around the town. 140m long. 
The street today is enclosed by a hall on the one end and a chapel and covered walk attached to the cathedral over another gate on the other end. Originally the entire area was walled and moated with guard towers attached, most likely to deter thieves, with orchards attached.
The Close was connected to the Cathedral precinct and survived the reformation. The 42 vicars were reduced to 20 and several of the homes were combined or enlarged for the priest's and their families in the 16th century.
The buildings on the Close has undergone many changes through the centuries, the biggest being in the mid 15th century when Bishop Thomas Beckington (1390-1465) added the grand chimneys that give the street its distinctive look today.
Originally the homes had large back gardens but no front gardens and each vicar had a room on the ground floor and one above, connected by a spiral stair. Latrines and wells could be found in the back. Here are drawings from 1866 of a well preserved house.
The buildings were made in local mudstone, with a natural reddish-brown color, still common in the area.
The chimneys are decorated with two coats of arms: the one above being that of the Bishop (a rebus of his name Beckington, Beacon-tun, a flaming tun or barrel) and one of his three executors, Swan, Pope, and Sugar.
The beautiful gardens and greenery in and around the Close lends an extra charming touch.
The oldest part of the Close and the first building to be completed was the gate closest to the Cathedral, with baking house, store rooms etc. Beautiful arches and vaulted ceiling and grand entrance for such a small street of homes.
What we can learn from this medieval survival is that the English terrace street is successful, and can be made even better if fully enclosed rather than left open ended like modern terraced streets. It must also be shorter, with visual symmetry at the front (at back: optional).
By building with local materials repairs and additions can be made seamlessly over centuries, preserving the look and feel of the street for future generations. Preserving the street also saves it from developers, and guarantees a sustainable level of population density...
...and also saves the surrounding areas from over-development.
