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Churches & Cathedrals – UK – ENGLAND
NORTH WEST
Carlisle Cathedral, Castle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TZ, England.
01228 548 151 -
www.carlislecathedral.org.uk
(Mon-Sat) 07.30-18.15, (Sun) 07.30-17.00
Inside the Cathedral the East window that dates from the 14C features some of the finest examples of 14C stained glass in the country. In the NW corner a flight of steps lead down to the treasury which is packed with glittering chalices and communion sets.
Lancaster Priory, Castle Hill, At the side of Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1YZ, England.
01524 65338 – www.priory.lancs.ac.uk
Mon-Sat 10.00-16.30 Sunday open from 08.00 Free guided tours July – Sept 11.15, 14.30 and 15.30
This church dates from the 11C and there has been a church on this site since 630AD. The present building is mainly 15C and still retains some 14C features including a Saxon doorway at the West end and finely carved choir stalls.
Manchester Cathedral, Cathedral Yard, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 1SX, England.
0161 835 4030 – www.manchestercathedral.org.uk
Mon-Fri 08.00-19.00 Sat 08.00-17.00 Sun 08.30-19.30 Visitors Centre Mon-Fri 10.00-16.30 Sun 11.30-14.00
This cathedral offers worship, concerts, recitals, guided tours and a gift shop and possesses a fine example of 15C woodcarvings. New visitor’s centre and restaurant and exhibition areas.
Liverpool Cathedral, Saint James Mount, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 7AZ, England.
0151 702 7217 - www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
Daily 08.00-18.00 Admission is free but a donation is suggested
The largest Anglican Cathedral in Britain with superb views from the tower.
Metropolitan Cathedral Of Christ The King, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 5TQ, England.
0151 709 9222 – www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk
Daily 08.00-18.00, Closes at 17.00 on Sundays in Winter. Visitors Centre open Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00 Sat 10.00-17.00 Sun 11.00-16.00
This very modern Roman Catholic Cathedral was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd and consecrated in 1967. Most noted for its stained glass. Guides available to show you round as well as historical information, refreshments and gifts on hand.
Birkenhead Priory, Priory Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire, CH41 5JH, England. Tel – 0151 666 1249
Summer Wed-Fri 13.00-17.00 Sat/Sun 10.00-17.00. Winter Wed-Fri 12.00 -17.00 Sat/Sun 10.00-16.00
Founded in 1150, this Norman Priory has stunning views from the vantage point of St Mary’s Tower.
THE WEST COUNTRY
Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ
Website: www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk
A church has probably stood on this site for over a thousand years but it came to prominence in 1148 when Robert Fitzhardinge founded the Abbey of St. Augustine. The Chapter House and Abbey Gatehouse remain clearly to be seen: other remains are within Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Saint Andrew’s Church, Winterbourne Tomson, Blandford, Forum, Blandford, Dorset, England.
Open all year daily
An 11C village church built of stone and flint which is a delight both from the outside and within.
Oare Church – Saint Mary’s Church, Oare, Lynton, Lynton, Somerset, England.
Open all year
Features of this church include, a 19C tower, 15C chancel, and a 12C font. This church was also the scene of Lorna Doone’s wedding in the novel written by R.D. Blackmore.
Loughwood Meeting House, Dalwood, Axminster, Devon, EX13 7DU, England. Tel – 01392 881 691
Open all year
Remaining unaltered since the 18C this meeting house was built by the Baptist congregation in 1653 at that time anyone attending a service in such a church faced trial and imprisonment.
Saint Lawrence Chapel, Saint Lawrence Lane, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7DD, England.
01364 653 414 – www.stlawrencechapel.ik.com
May – Sep, Tues, Thur-Sat 14.00-16.30 ( Closed on Wednesdays )
Housing one of the finest examples of plasterwork in a public building, this chapel also covers an exhibition on the history of the chapel and grammar school.
Culbone Church, St Beuno, Culbone, Porlock, Minehead, Somerset, England.
Open all year
Known as the smallest complete Parish Church in England, at only 35 feet in length, ( the chancel is 10 feet wide, and the nave is 12 feet 3 inches wide, and there is only 30 seats. ) Features include: the 15C pews, Norman font and Saxon windows.
LONDON TO THE SEVERN
Champs Chapel, Chapel Square, East Hendred, Wantage, East Hendred, Oxfordshire, OX12 8J, England.
01235 833 466
Apr-Sept Suns 14.30-16.30 Oct-Mar, 1st Sun in Month 14.30-15.30
Restored in 1974 this Grade I listed 15C Chapel was built by The Carthusian Monks. It now houses a museum dedicated to local history.
CENTRAL ENGLAND
Shrewsbury Abbey, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6BS, England.
01743 232 723 -
www.shrewsburyabbey.com
Daily 10.00-15.00
This abbey was a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1080. The most impressive feature is the large window of Heraldic glass from the 14C. Original Norman door, and four original nave pillars with connecting arches from the original church building.
Holy Trinity Church, Old Town, Stratford, Warwickshire, CV37 6BG, England.
01789 266 316 – www.stratford-upon-avon.org
March – October Mon-Sat 09.00-17.00 Sun 12.30-17.00 April – Sept Mon-Sat 08.30-18.00 Sun 12.30-17.00 Nov – Feb Mon-Sat 09.00-16.00 Sun 12.30-17.00
This fine gothic building that was built between the 13 & 15C, is the final resting place of William Shakespeare. The original wooden spire of the church was replaced in the 18C. £1 donation asked to visit Shakespeare’s Grave.
Saint Chad’s, St Chad’s Terrace, Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England.
01743 365 478 – www.stchadsshrewsbury.org.uk
Mon-Fri 10.00-13.00
England’s largest round church with it’s celebrated wedding cake tower. The church was consecrated in 1792. The graveyard was used in the film “A Christmas Carol” as the location of Scrogge’s grave.
Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, Sheep Street, Peacock Place, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England.
01604 754782 – May-Sep Wed 12.00-14.00, Sat 14.00-16.00
The church was built at the same time as the castle in 1100 and is probably Northampton’s oldest building. It is one of only four examples of a round church in the country, and is still used as a Parish Church.
Pershore Abbey, Church Street, Pershore, Worchestershire, WR10 1DT, England.
01386 552 071 - www.pershoreabbey.fsnet.co.uk
Abbey Open Daily 09.00-17.00 Visitors Centre Open East – Sept Sat 10.00-17.00 Sun 14.30-18.00
This ancient abbey church which was founded in the 7C, is now a flourishing Parish Church. Major features include a fine lantern tower with ringing platform, decorative vaulting and a newly restored tower.
Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse, Kingswood, 1 mile SW of Wotton-Under-Edge, Kingswood, Gloucestershire, GL12, England.
Exterior view at any reasonable time. Key for interior available from 3 Wotton Rd, Abbey St, 10.00-15.30 weekdays
This 16C gatehouse is the only surviving remnant of a Cistercian Abbey dating from the middle ages.
Croyland Abbey, East Stree, Croyland, Lincolnshire, PE6 0EN, England.
01733 210 763 - www.croylandabbey.co.uk
Open all year 08.00-dusk Daily
A Benedictine Abbey founded in AD 716. Surviving original features include a 15C aisle ( now used as Parish Church ) 12C Norman arch, and 13C West front.
Croxden Abbey, Croxden, 5 miles NW of Uttoxeter off A522, Croxden, Staffordshire, England.
Access at any reasonable time
This Cistercian abbey was founded in 1176 and today visitors can wander around the ruined remains.
The Tupholme Abbey Ruins, On the B1190 2 miles E of Bardney, Bardney, Lincolnshire, England.
www.lincsheritage.org
Open dawn – dusk
The ruins of this 12C permonstratensian abbey are set in twenty acres of grassland which include a picnic site. Features include the refectory wall standing to eaves height and a unique readers pulpit.
Birmingham Cathedral, Colmore Row, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 2QB, England.
0121 262 1840 – www.birminghamcathedral.org.uk
Winter Weekdays 07.30-18.00 Summer Weekdays 07.30-16.00 Weekends 09.00-16.00
English Baroque style church built in the early 18C with beautifully restored city centre church yard. Famous for its four large stained glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne – Jones.
Derby Cathedral, 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 3GP, England.
01332 341 201 - www.derbycathedral.org
Daily 08.30-18.00
The Cathedral’s medieval tower is the second highest in England at 212 feet, features of interest include the World famous wrought iron screen by Robert Bakewell. Visitor’s Centre across the road.
Gloucester Cathedral, 2 College Green, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2LR, England.
01452 528 095 – www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Open daily 08.30-17.00 Guided tours available Mon-Sat 10.30-16.00 Sun 12.00-14.30
The Cathedral interesting features include an exhibition, treasury, crypt, chapter house and precincts.
Hereford Cathedral, 5 The Cloisters, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR1 2NG, England.
01432 374 0200 – www.herefordcathedral.org
Open daily 07.30-17.30 Sun open till 15.30
This cathedral was built on the site of a 7C church and has a mixture of styles from Norman to early English.
Leicester Cathedral, 21 St Martin’s, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 5DE, England.
0116 262 5294 – www.cathedral.leicester.anglican.org
Open daily 07.30-17.00
The only medieval cathedral with three spires, dating from 1195. A major Christian centre for 1300 years. The cathedral’s treasures include an 8C illuminated manuscript, medieval tiled floor , the Lichfield Gospels and 16C and 19C glass windows.
Worcester Cathedral, College Green, Worcester, Worchestershire, WR1 2LH, England.
01905 611 002 - www.cofe-worcester.org.uk
Open daily 07.30-18.00
Interesting features include, King John’s tomb, Prince Arthur’s chantry, Norman Crypt and chapter house.
EAST ANGLIA
Church Of St Edmund, Victoria Street, Bartholomew Green, Southwold, Suffolk, England.
Jun-Aug (Daily) 09.00-18.00 Sep-May 09.00-16.00
15C church with panelled roof embellished with praying angels.
Norwich Cathedral, The Close, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 4DH, England.
01603 218 303 - www.cathedral.org.uk
Open Daily 07.30-18.00 ( Closes at 19.00 Mid may – Mid Sept ) Free Guided tours Mon-Sat 10.45, 12.00 & 14.15
Norwich cathedral is definitely one attraction to visit if you’re in the area. Guided tours can be arranged or you can wander around the building and soak up the interior architecture yourself for free.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1LS, England.
01284 754 933 – www.stedscathdral.co.uk
Summer Daily 07.30-19.00 Winter 07.30-18.00
This has been a site for worship for nearly 1000 years. The nave of the present church dates from 1503 and the church has been expanded over the decades including the building of a gothic style lantern tower which was completed in 2004.
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, Whipsnade, Near Dunstable, Whipsnade, Bedfordshire, England.
01582 872 406 – www.nationaltrust.org.uk/whipsnadetreecathedral
Open at all times
This cathedral was created by Edmund Kell Blyth, a local landowner. After the first world war Edmund planted a variety of trees that have now matured to give the effect of the knave, transepts, cloisters and chapels of a large outdoor cathedral.
St Benets Abbey, Ludham, take the turning near Ludham Hall Farm, Ludham, Norfolk, NR29, England.
Open all year at all times. Access to this abbey is from the River Bure or a farm track from the minor road off the A1062.
Ruins of a monastery founded on land granted by King Canute in 1020 AD.The most unusual feature is that there is an 18C brick windmill inside the church ruins. There is a legend that a monk can be seen hanging from the belltower on each night of 25th May.
Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse, Abbey School, Off B1096, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, PE17 1DH, England.
01480 301 494
Open April–End Oct daily 10.00-17.00
This gatehouse dates from the 15C and is decorated with ornate carvings and Oriel windows. Ruins of the monastery are situated on an island in the Fens.
HAMPSHIRE / DORSET / WILTSHIRE
Titchfield Abbey, Located ½ mile N of Titchfield, Off A27, Titchfield, Hampshire, England.
01329 842 133
1 April – 30 Sept Daily 10.00-18.00 1 – 31 Oct Daily 10.00-17.00 1 Nov – 31 March Daily 10.00-16.00
The remains of this 13C abbey are just beyond the grand Tudor gatehouse.
Netley Abbey, Netley Abbey Village, 4 miles SE of Southampton on the A3025, Netley Abbey, Hampshire, England.
02392 581 059 – www.netleyabbey.info
Access at any reasonable time
A 13C Abbey which now lays in ruins and is reported to be haunted.
YORKSHIRE
Easby Abbey, Below Richmond Castle, 1 mile SE of Richmond off B6271, Richmond, Yorkshire, England.
Apr-Sep (Daily) 10.00-18.00, Oct (Daily) 10.00-17.00, Nov-March (Daily) 10.00-14.00
The ruined Abbey was founded in 1152 by Premonstratensian Canons, also known as the White Monks. The ruins that remain are extensive and there is a 13C refectory which is still in remarkable condition.
Holy Trinity, Just off Goodramgate, By Lady Row, York, Yorkshire, YO1 2LF, England. Tel – 01904 613 451
Apr 1-Sep 30 Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00 Oct 1-Mar 31 Tue-Sat 10.00-16.00
This 15C church is renowned for it’s East window, jumbled box pews and a saddle back tower, which is an unusual feature in English Churches.
Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.
Access during daylight hours
The ruined building, which is one of the city’s most important medieval relics was built by Cistercian Monks from Fountains Abbey between 1152 and 1182.
Haworth Parish Church, Top of Main Street, Haworth, Yorkshire, England.
Open daily
This church and the village in which is resides has gained its fame from the Bronte sisters who lived in the village. The church contains the Bronte family vault and was also the setting for Charlotte Bronte’s wedding in 1864.
Bolton Priory, Bolton Abbey Town, 5 miles East of Skipton, Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, England.
www.boltonpriory.org.uk
Daily 08.00-dusk ( or 19.00 if earlier ) Closes at 16.00 on Fridays
The ruins of this former monastic building were once part of an Augustinian community that was founded by Cecily De Romille in 1120. The nave of the building which was incorporated into the village church in 1170 has survived remarkably well.
NORTH EAST
Hulne Priory, Bailiffgate, Ratten Row, Alnwick, Northumberland, England.
Park open dawn – dusk
The remains of a 13C Carmelite monastery. Amidst the crumbling ruins are several carved stone monks.This priory was featured in the film Robin Hood – Prince Of Thieves.
Durham Cathedral, Palace Green, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3EH, England.
0191 386 4266 - www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
Mon-Sat 09.30-18.15 Sun 12.30-17.00 ( 17th June – 8th September open until 20.00 )
This magnificent Norman Cathedral is a shrine to St Cuthbert.
Cathedral Church Of St Nicholas, St Nicholas Street, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England.
www.newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk
(Mon-Fri) 07.00-18.00, (Sat) 08.30-16.00 (Sun) 07.00-12.00 & 16.00-19.00
The Cathedral dates from the 14 & 15C and has a remarkable tower that was erected in 1470. Inside the church and behind the High altar is one of the largest funerary brasses in England, that is etched with nearly life sized figures.
Egglestone Abbey, 1.5 miles South East of Barnard Castle, Egglestone, Northumberland, England.
0191 269 1200
Access at any reasonable time
Only the ruins remain of this Abbey with stands between Yorkshire and County Durham. This site is definitely worth a visit.
Hexham Abbey, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3NB, England.
01434 602 031 – www.hexhamabbey.org.uk
09.30-17.00 Oct-April, 09.30-19.00 May-Sept
Features of this 12C Abbey include the stone “Saint Winfrid’s Chair”, the coronation seat for the Kings of Northumberland. There is also an excellent visitors centre and guided tour.
SURRY KENT AND SUSSEX
Rochester Cathedral, The Precincts, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SX, England.
01634 843 366 – www.rochester.anglican.org
(Daily) 08.30-17.30
This cathedral was once home to the remains of St William Of Perth a Scottish baker who started out on a pilgrimage to the holy land in 120, unfortunately his pilgrimage was cut short in Rochester where he was robbed and murdered.
Chichester Cathedral, West Street, Chichester, Sussex, PO19 1PX, England.
01243 782 595 – www.chichestercathedral.org
Summer (Daily) 07.00-19.00, Winter 07.00-18.00
The spire of this cathedral can be see from out at sea and the interior is famous for it’s contemporary art.
Chelmsford Cathedral, New Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1TY
Open all the time – Every day 7.30-6pm
Chelmsford Cathedral is the second smallest cathedral in the country, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up in warmth, colour, space and light. It became a Cathedral in 1914. An extensive re-ordering in 1984 provided a beautiful French limestone floor throughout the Nave and Chancel, chairs replaced pews to make the seating adaptable for all occasions and a new font, Altar and Cathedra were all made from Westmorland slate.
St John’s Abbey Gate, St John’s Lane, Clerkenwell, Colchester, Essex, EC1M 4DA, England. Tel – 01206 282 931
Access at any reasonable time – Exterior View Only
All that survives from this Benedictine abbey is this quaint gatehouse in East Anglian flintwork.
Guildford Cathedral, Stagg Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7UP, England.
Tel – 01483 565 287 – www.guildford-cathedral.org
Open all year daily 8.30 – 17.30
Consecrated as recently as 1961 and designed by Edward Maufe. Features include marble floors and soaring arches.
Boxgrove Priory, Church Lane, Boxgrove, 4 miles E of Chichester on minor road off A27, Boxgrove, West Sussex, PO18 0ED, England.
01243 774 045
Access at any reasonable time
Founded in 1177, this is a wonderful example of Early English architecture. Sites worth noting are the 16C painted ceiling and the Chantry Chapel dating 1534.
LONDON CITY – INNER LONDON
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London, Inner London, SE1 9DA, England.
020 7367 6700 – www.dswark.org/cathedral
Mon-Fri 07.30-18.00 Sat & Sun 08.30-18.00
The oldest parts of the building date from the 12C, but after the reformation it fell into disrepair and was used as both a pig sty and a bakery. In 1905 the building was restored as an Anglican Cathedral.
St Bartholomew The Great, West Smithfield, London, Inner London, EC1A 7JQ, England.
020 7606 5171 - www.greatstbarts.com
(Tues-Fri) 08.30-17.00 ( Closes at 16.00 Mid Nov – Mid Feb ), (Sat) 10.30-13.30, (Sun) 08.30-13.00 & 14.30-20.00
The only surviving part of a Norman priory founded in 1123. This is London’s oldest and most atmospheric church.
St Botolph’s Church, Aldgate, London, Inner London, EC3N 1AB, England.
020 7283 1670 – www.stbotolphs.org.uk
Mon-Fri & Sun 10.00-15.00
This church which was built in 1744 is noted for it’s highly original ceilings which are lined with angels and adorn the galleried interior.
St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, Blackfriars, London, Inner London, EC4Y 8AU, England.
020 7427 0133 – www.stbrides.com
(Mon-Fri) 08.00-17.00, (Sat) 11.00-16.00, (Sun) 09.30-12.30 & 17.30-19.30
When the church was gutted during the blitz the devastation revealed many Roman and Saxon remains which are now displayed in the crypt.
St Helen’s Church, Great St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, London, Inner London, EC3A 6AT, England.
020 7283 2231 – www.st-helens.org.uk
(Mon-Fri) 09.00-17.00
The building was founded in the 13C and contains a 14C Nuns Chapel and 15C Gothic arches. The interior also contains many medieval and Tudor monument to London dignitaries, which has lead to the church being known as The Westminster Abbey of The City.
St Magnus The Martyr, Lower Thames Street, London, Inner London, EC3R 6DN, England.
020 7626 4481
(Tue-Fri) 10.00-16.00, (Sun) 10.00-13.00 Free recitals on most Tuesdays at 13.00
This medieval building stood on the road that lead to the Old London Bridge and it’s interior was described by TS Elliot as an inexplicable splendour of Ionian white and gold.
St Mary-Le-Bow, Cheapside, London, Inner London, EC2V 6AU, England.
020 7248 5139 – www.stmarylebow.co.uk
(Mon-Wed) 07.30-18.00 (Thurs) 07.30-18.30, (Fri) 07.30-15.30
The bells of this church are the origins of the tradition that only those born within hearing distance of the Bow Bells can claim to be true Cockney’s. The church was built by Sir Christopher Wren and displays a white tower topped with a dragon weathercock.
OUTER LONDON
Christ Church Spital Fields, Commercial Street, London, Outer London, E1 6LY, England.
020 7247 7202
Tues 11.00-16.00 Sun 13.00-16.00
The building was built in 1714 to provide a place of worship for the Huguenot Silk Weavers. The church is best viewed at night when the white floodlit bulk looms above the dark warehouses of Commercial Street.
All Saints Church, All Saints Drive, The Heath, Blackheath, London, Outer London, SE3 0TY, England.
020 8852 4280 – vicar_blackheath@hotmail.com
The church has an unusually tall spire which gives the building the shape of a witches hat.
St Mary’s Rotherhithe, St Marychurch Street, Rotherhithe, London, Outer London, SE16 4JE, England.
020 7231 2465 – www.stmaryrotherhithe.org
(Mon-Thur) 07.00-18.00, (Sat-Sun) 08.00-18.00
This church was built in 1715 by local sailors and watermen. The communion table in the Lady Chapel and two of the Bishops Chairs were constructed from timber salvaged from the warship Fighting Temeraire.
St Anne’s Church, Corner of Commercial Road and the Three Colt Street, Limehouse, London, Outer London, E14 7HP, England.
020 7987 1502
Mon-Fri 14.00-16.00 Sat & Sun 14.30-17.30
The church was built in what was originally open fields between 1712 and 1724 and boasts Britains second highest Clock Tower. The only one that beats it is Big Ben which was built by the same maker as the Clock tower at St Anne’s Limehouse.
