English Cathedrals

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See also: Wales | Scotland

Salisbury Cathedral   The see of Salisbury has quite a history. The bishop's seat was originally at Sherborne, then it was shared between Sherborne and Ramsbury, then it was moved to Old Sarum in 1075, where the monks proved incapable of living peaceably with the inhabitants of the castle next door. In 1228 the see moved again to Salisbury (New Sarum), and work was begun on a new cathedral. The upshot of this turmoil was that the new structure was built fresh, without reference to any previous building. Cathedral Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, SP1 2EF Attraction Type: Cathedral Location: In the centre of Salisbury, well signposted for pedestrians. Several paid parking lots available with 5 minutes walk. Website: Salisbury Cathedral Email: visitors@salcath.co.uk Phone: 01722 555 120 Location map Details of Salisbury Cathedral - Photos of Salisbury Cathedral OS SU145 296 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Southwark Cathedral    Formerly known as St. Mary Overie ("over the river"), Southwark only became a cathedral in 1905. The church and the area around it have what might charitably be called a colourful history. Founded in Saxon times, it passed to the Augustinian order in 1106. The chancel and retrochoir were rebuilt after a fire in 1212. The retrochoir is a rare medieval survivor in London. The area around Southwark was governed by the Bishops of Winchester in the Middle Ages as a "liberty", a sort of private kingdom. Here they controlled a prison called the Clink, which gave its name to prisons the world over. Here also was the most infamous red-light district in greater London, whose activities provided the major source of income for the bishops. In fact, the ladies employed in the brothels of Southwark were called "the Bishop of Winchester's geese". London Bridge, London, Greater London, England, SE1 9DA Attraction Type: Cathedral Location: S side of London Bridge, near Tate Modern Website: Southwark Cathedral Email: cathedral@southwark.anglican.org Phone: 020 7367 6700 Fax: 020 7367 6725 Location map OS TQ327 803 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Southwark Cathedral    The first Catholic cathedral in the UK since the Reformation, St George's was built in 1846 by prominent Gothic Revival architect AW Pugin, who was also responsible for most of the Houses of Parliament. Though damged by bombs during WWII, much of the cathedral has been restored and visitors can see much of Pugin's original work.. Westminster Bridge Road, London, Greater London, England, SE1 7HY Attraction Type: Cathedral Location: near Imperial War Museum Website: Southwark Cathedral Email: info@southwark-rc-cathedral.org.uk Phone: 020 7928 5256 Fax: 020 7202 2189 Location map OS TQ323802 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Southwell Minster    Southwell began life as a Saxon manor, but in the 10th century it was granted to the Archbishop of York. The remains of the London palace of the archbishops of York can be seen next to the cathedral. The present church was begun in 1108, and it remains one of the best examples of the Romanesque style in England. That said, the chief reason to visit Southwell is its remarkable carving, notably on the pulpitum, but especially in the 13th century chapter house. Decorative foliage festoons the 36 stalls and the capitals of the chapter house and the corridor and vestibule leading to it. The botanical precision of the carvings is extraordinary: grace and beauty evoked from cold stone. Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: Southwell Minster Email: office@southwellminster.org.uk Phone: 01636 812 649 Fax: 01636 817 284 OS SK701 537 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

St. Albans Cathedral    Named for the first British Christian martyr, this abbey church is the second largest in England, after Winchester. The north transept stands on the traditional spot where Alban was executed in 305 for refusing to participate in a pagan sacrifice. In 793 King Offa founded a Benedictine monastery here to atone for murdering Ethelbert (see Hereford). That early church was rebuilt in the late 11th century using tiles from the old Roman settlement of Verulam. Of note in the interior is the stone roodscreen, perhaps the work of Henry Yevele (see Canterbury), and wall paintings on the piers of the nave. St. Albans became a cathedral in 1876, at which time restorations to the west front and the north transept were carried out by Lord Grimthorpe, an amateur architect who was given a free rein due to the fact that he was paying for the work out of his own pocket. Unfortunately, Lord Grimthorpe proved more enthusiastic than talented, and his efforts are best passed over in silence. St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, AL1 1BY Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: St. Albans Cathedral Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org.uk Phone: 01727 860 780 Fax: 01727 850 944 Location map OS TL146 070 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

St. Paul's Cathedral    The only totally "modern" church in this list, though the location has a history extending back to 604. The first Norman cathedral on this site was begun in the 11th century, and it took two centuries to finish. That huge building fell into disrepair and became a market place and pedestrian thoroughfare. In the 17th century Inigo Jones was commissioned to rebuild it, but the Civil War put a halt to that. Charles II asked the young Christopher Wren to draw up plans for remodelling, but before any work was done, the entire structure was burned to the ground in the Great Fire of 1665. Within days Wren presented plans for a new cathedral. This plan was rejected (partly for drawing too heavily on Catholic tradition), and Wren came back with another plan that was approved. He then quietly (read secretly) slipped in most of his original plan as the work proceded. Thank heaven Wren managed to build it his way, for the result is an architectural wonder. Classically styled, and surmounted with a glorious dome, from the top of which (if you have the legs for the climb) you can gain great city views. Inside the dome is the Whispering Gallery, so named because if you whisper into the wall, your words can be heard all the way across the dome, fully 112 feet away. The choir stalls are by the 17th century woodcarving genius Grinling Gibbons. The interior of St. Paul's is quite a shock if you are used to the sombre tones of English medieval churches; rich colour and ornate classical decoration dominates the scene, yet it is built to such perfect proportions that the effect is uplifting and awe-inspiring. There are several hundred monuments in the church, including that to poet John Donne, which survived the fire to the old cathedral. In the crypt are the tombs of Wellington and Lord Nelson, as well as that of Wren himself. The Latin inscription on Wren's tomb fittingly translates as, "Reader, if you seek his monument, look about you". The Chapter House, St Paul's Churchyard London, Greater London, England, EC4M 8AD Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: St. Paul's Cathedral Email: chapter@stpaulscathedral.org.uk Phone: 020 7236 4128 Fax: 020 7248 3104 Location map Details of St. Paul's Cathedral OS TQ320811 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

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Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2001