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Wales | Scotland
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Norwich Cathedral
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Herbert de Losinga bought the bishopric of Thetford from William Rufus and moved it to Norwich in 1094. Then, ostensibly because he repented of the sinful act of buying his position, the bishop built a cathedral as an act of expiation. The bishop's cathedra, or throne of stone, was brought to the new building, and it can be seen today behind the altar. In 1272 a quarrel broke out between the prior of the cathedral and the townsfolk of Norwich when the prior tried to collect tolls for a fair. The enraged townsfolk threw burning brands onto the roof of the cathedral, with predictable results. The city paid a heavy fine and the church was rebuilt. One unusual feature for England is the rounded apse behind the high altar. Look for the carvings on the bosses of the nave and in the cloister walk.
Norwich,
Norfolk,
England
Attraction Type:
Cathedral
Website: Norwich Cathedral
Email: vis-profficer@cathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01603 218 440
Details
of Norwich Cathedral
OS TG235 088
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Oxford, Christ Church Cathedral
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This smallest of English cathedrals started life as a shrine to St. Frideswide, a lady whose reputation was made when a Saxon who tried to force himself on her was struck blind. In 1525 Cardinal Wolsey had half of the church nave pulled down to make way for his new Christ Church College. In 1546 the new see of Oxford was moved to this modest church, which also acts as the college chapel. The late 15th century vaulting is remarkable, with drooping pendants running the length of the choir.
Oxford,
Oxfordshire,
England,
OX1 1DP
Attraction Type:
Cathedral
Location: just South of the city centre, off St Aldates
Website: Oxford, Christ Church Cathedral
Email: tourism@chch.ox.ac.uk
Phone: 1865 276 492
Location
map
Details
of Oxford, Christ Church Cathedral
OS SP514 060
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Peterborough Cathedral
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The first monastery here goes back to 655, when the royal family of the kingdom of Mercia converted to Christianity. That monastery was sacked by the Norse in 870 and rebuilt about 100 years later. This late Saxon church survived attack by Hereward the Wake in 1070, but fell to a servant's carelessness with fire in 1116. The nave, rounded apse, transepts, and chancel were completed by 1175.
When you look at the west front of Peterborough it is hard to shake the impression that the builders weren't quite sure which style to adopt, so they included a bit of everything. Officially called a screen front, there are three enormous Gothic arches topped by triangular gables and side turrets, all of which projects from and masks a simpler deep-set facade. Catherine of Aragon was buried here. So too was Mary Queen of Scots until her son James I ordered her body removed to Westminster Abbey. One of the interesting features of the interior is the ceiling of the nave, which is panelled in wood and richly painted, and the fan vaulted retrochoir.
Peterborough,
Cambridgeshire,
England,
PE1 1XS
Attraction Type:
Cathedral
Website: Peterborough Cathedral
Email: info@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01733 343 342
Fax: 01733 355 316
Location
map
Details
of Peterborough Cathedral
OS TL193 986
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Accommodation: nearest
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Ripon Cathedral
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St. Cuthbert, who seems to have gotten about quite a bit during and after his lifetime (see Durham), was once guestmaster at the 7th century Celtic monastery here, but it was not until 1836 that Ripon became a cathedral. The original nave (circa 1180) had no aisles, the only illumination was from the clerestory. There is a Saxon crypt, but the rood screen and the choir stalls with their rich and allegorical carving are the chief interest. Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, is supposed to have been inspired by the strange beasts carved here.
Ripon,
Yorkshire,
England,
HG4 1QS
Attraction Type:
Cathedral
Website: Ripon Cathedral
Email: postmaster@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603 462
Location
map
OS SE316 712
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Accommodation: nearest
hotels - nearest
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Rochester Cathedral
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Although it is overshadowed by its near neighbour Rochester Castle, the cathedral has a fascinating history. Second only to Canterbury in age (the see was established in 604). For all its early history, the cathedral as we see it is mostly 12th century. The west door is a notable example of Romanesque sculpture. Rochester became an important pilgrimage centre in the 13th century when William of Perth, a Scot on his way to the Holy Land, was murdered there, and miracles were reported at his tomb. The pilgrims paid for the choir and presbytery.
Rochester,
Kent,
England,
ME1 1SX
Attraction Type:
Cathedral
Location: access from M2, Junction 3
Website: Rochester Cathedral
Email: visitsofficer@rochestercathedral.org
Phone: 01634 401 301
Location
map
Details
of Rochester Cathedral
OS TQ743 684
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Accommodation: nearest
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Cathedrals in England
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Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2001
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