Notable Places of Worship
Short reviews and background on historically important places of worship from across traditions, highlighting the magnificent heritage of the Association of English Cathedrals.
North West
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool, UK
A 20th-century Anglican cathedral and the largest cathedral in Britain, known for its sweeping Gothic Revival interior.
Chester Cathedral
Chester, UK
Medieval cathedral with Roman foundations and a notable medieval choir and chapter house.
Blackburn Cathedral
Blackburn, UK
The Cathedral Church of Blackburn Saint Mary the Virgin with a history dating back over a thousand years.
Carlisle Cathedral
Carlisle, UK
A beautiful medieval cathedral with a notable East Window and a long history on the English border.
Manx Cathedral
Peel, Isle of Man
The Cathedral Church of St German, serving as the cathedral for the Diocese of Sodor and Man.
Manchester Cathedral
Manchester, UK
The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester, known for its late medieval architecture.
East Midlands
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln, UK
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a notable high tower and spire; historically one of the largest cathedrals in Europe.
Derby Cathedral
Derby, UK
The Cathedral Church of All Saints, with a beautiful high tower and a history spanning centuries.
Leicester Cathedral
Leicester, UK
The Cathedral Church of St Martin, famously the final resting place of King Richard III.
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough, UK
The Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew, known for its imposing West Front and Romanesque architecture.
Southwell Minster
Southwell, UK
The Cathedral and Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, featuring unique Norman architecture and stone carvings.
South
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury, UK
Home of the tallest church spire in the UK; an Early English Gothic masterpiece with close ties to the Magna Carta.
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester, UK
Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest and most magnificent cathedrals in Europe, featuring the longest nave in Europe and the final resting place of Jane Austen.
Chichester Cathedral
Chichester, UK
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, known for its unique spire and beautiful medieval and modern art.
Guildford Cathedral
Guildford, UK
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit, a 20th-century cathedral with a commanding position on Stag Hill.
Portsmouth Cathedral
Portsmouth, UK
The Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, a historic building reflecting the city’s maritime heritage.
North East
York Minster
York, UK
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, famed for its stonework, stained glass, and historical significance.
Durham Cathedral
Durham, UK
Durham Cathedral is one of the world's most breathtaking examples of Norman architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built in 1093 to house the shrine of St Cuthbert and the remains of the Venerable Bede.
Bradford Cathedral
Bradford, UK
The oldest building in the city and a beautiful example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, known for its collection of Morris & Co. stained glass.
Newcastle Cathedral
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, known for its iconic lantern spire and centuries of history in the heart of the city.
Ripon Cathedral
Ripon, UK
A beautiful medieval cathedral with one of the oldest foundations in England, featuring a notable 7th-century crypt.
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield, UK
The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul in Sheffield is a monumental landmark with a history spanning over a thousand years, blending medieval elements with modern additions.
Wakefield Cathedral
Wakefield, UK
The Cathedral Church of All Saints, featuring a tall spire and notable medieval stonework.
Leeds Cathedral
Leeds, UK
The Roman Catholic cathedral of Leeds, notable for its 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture and city-centre setting.
East
Ely Cathedral
Ely, UK
Famous for its magnificent octagonal lantern tower and as a prime example of Norman and Gothic architecture.
Chelmsford Cathedral
Chelmsford, UK
The Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, St Peter and St Cedd, a historic building in the heart of the city.
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich, UK
The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, featuring a magnificent spire and one of the largest cloisters in England.
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans, UK
The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, with a history dating back to the Roman period and the first Christian martyr in Britain.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Bury St Edmunds, UK
The Cathedral Church of St James and St Edmund, known for its beautiful tower and historical significance.
South West
Wells Cathedral
Wells, UK
Wells Cathedral is a masterpiece of the English Gothic style, famous for its spectacular West Front and unique 14th-century 'Scissor Arches'.
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol, UK
The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, known for its unique hall church design and medieval choir.
Exeter Cathedral
Exeter, UK
The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, famous for its long, uninterrupted vaulted ceiling and astronomical clock.
Truro Cathedral
Truro, UK
The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Gothic Revival masterpiece and a landmark in Cornwall.
West Midlands
Worcester Cathedral
Worcester, UK
English cathedral with Norman and Gothic elements, seat of the Bishop of Worcester and notable medieval fabric.
Birmingham Cathedral
Birmingham, UK
The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip, a beautiful example of English Baroque architecture.
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry, UK
The Cathedral Church of Saint Michael, famous for its reconciliation work and the juxtaposition of the ruins with the 20th-century building.
Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester, UK
Gloucester Cathedral boasts a magnificent fusion of architectural styles from Norman to Perpendicular Gothic. It is famous for its spectacular vaulted cloisters, used as a filming location for Harry Potter.
Hereford Cathedral
Hereford, UK
The Cathedral Church of Mary the Virgin and Saint Ethelbert, known for its Chained Library and the Mappa Mundi.
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield, UK
The only medieval English cathedral with three spires, dedicated to Saint Chad and Saint Mary.
Christ Church Cathedral
Oxford, UK
The cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford and the chapel of Christ Church College, with a unique hybrid history.
London and South East
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury, UK
Historic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury; a major pilgrimage site with Norman and Gothic architecture.
St Paul's Cathedral
London, UK
Sir Christopher Wren's Baroque masterpiece rebuilt after the Great Fire of London, famous for its dome and national services.
Rochester Cathedral
Rochester, UK
The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the second oldest cathedral in England.
Southwark Cathedral
London, UK
The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, a beautiful Gothic building on the South Bank.
Westminster Abbey
London, UK
The Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, a Royal Peculiar and the site of coronations and royal weddings.
Others
St Davids Cathedral
St Davids, UK
St Davids Cathedral is a breathtaking site of pilgrimage and worship located in the smallest city in the UK, founded by Wales' patron saint, David, in the 6th century.
St Patrick's Cathedral
Dublin, Ireland
The National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, a historic site with strong ties to Jonathan Swift.
Christ Church Cathedral
Dublin, Ireland
The elder of the two medieval cathedrals in Dublin, known for its crypt and historical significance.
Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow, UK
A magnificent medieval cathedral and one of the few Scottish cathedrals to have survived the Reformation relatively intact.
St Giles' Cathedral
Edinburgh, UK
The High Kirk of Edinburgh, a historic city landmark with its iconic crown spire and a history spanning nine centuries.