11 Top Cathedrals in England That You Need To Visit
The great cathedrals of England range from medieval Gothic masterpieces to Norman designs, English Baroque and modern Gothic revival.
If you’re looking for recommendations for the top cathedrals in England, I’ve got you covered, as I’m a Brit who has been exploring English cathedrals since early childhood. I know exactly which ones you’ll want to add to your UK bucket list and why they are so special 🙂
Top Cathedrals in England
Whether you love intricate stained glass, soaring spires, impressive gargoyles or the deep sense of peace within, these cathedrals all have at least one unique feature that makes them one of England’s best.
Ready to take a look at the great cathedrals of England? Let’s get started!
1. The Oldest: Canterbury Cathedral
Located in the heart of Kent, Canterbury Cathedral should be on your itinerary if you’re visiting the southeast of England. It’s the oldest of the British cathedrals, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the leader of the Anglican church), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The church was founded in 597 AD by St Augustine, destroyed by fire a year after the Norman Conquest, and rebuilt between 1070 and 1077.
Following the murder and martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket, in 1170 by four knights from the household of King Henry II, Canterbury Cathedral became an even more important destination for pilgrims.
Psst…Get ahead of the crowds and book your ticket to explore the wonders of Canterbury Cathedral!
Inside, the cathedral has 1,200 square meters of stained glass windows and recently discovered medieval wall murals to see. There are also enchanting cloisters, a chapter house, crypt, and quire to explore.
There is so much to see: this handy top 10 guide will help you plan your visit.
💡 Top Tip: If you want to stay in Canterbury, book the Cathedral Lodge! It’s right next door to the cathedral, with free entry included, and it’s in the town centre!
2. The Largest: Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is a red sandstone masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture completed in 1978. Incredibly, it was designed in 1903 by Giles Gilbert Scott when he was just 22 years old!
Perched on St. James’s Mount, the awe-inspiring structure dominates the Liverpool skyline. At 189 meters (620 feet) in length it’s both the largest cathedral in England and the eighth-largest one in the world!
💡 Top Tip: Take the “Tower Experience” to reach the top of the 101 meters (331 feet) central tower. It’s a trek, with two lifts and 108 steps, but worth it for the panoramic views of Liverpool and beyond!
Inside the cathedral, the soaring Gothic arches are the world’s highest, while the organ is also one of the largest in the world, with over 10,000 pipes! I’ve been lucky enough to hear Widor’s Toccata played on it and it was mesmerising!
3. The Biggest Bell – St Paul’s Cathedral
As the largest and most famous of London’s churches, St Paul’s Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London. It’s located in the heart of the vibrant City of London on the site of a Roman temple. The cathedral was designed in the English Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren and was completed in 1710.
The 365-foot dome is one of the most recognisable features of the London skyline, while the accoustics in the famous whispering gallery are so precise that you can hear the faintest whisper!
St Paul’s Cathedral has England’s biggest cathedral bell, known as Great Paul (or the Bourdon Bell). It has a diameter of 11 feet, weighs 16.5 long tons (16.8 tonnes). It’s also the largest bell ever cast in the British Isles – at the Bell Foundry in Loughborough and it took nine days for the bell to be transported to London from the foundry.
Great Paul was rung at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady at Diana Spencer in 1981, Winston Churchill’s funeral, at services to mark the end of World Wars I and II, and at the Festival of the Bells in 2021, at the end of the Covid pandemic.
💡Top Tip: Book a skip-the-line entry ticket and explore St Paul’s three famous galleries – the Golden Gallery, Stone Gallery and Whispering Gallery.
4. The Tallest: Salisbury Cathedral
Breathtakingly beautiful Salisbury Cathedral is a 13th century architectural masterpiece with the tallest spire in England at 404 feet (123 meters). It’s a real testament to theskill and ingenuity of its medieval builders.
The cathedral has one of the best-preserved copies of the Magna Carta or “Great Charter” of June 1215, which offers a glimpse into the foundation of modern democracy.
Visitors can explore the stunning Chapter House, the expansive cloisters, and the serene grounds of the Close, which is among the largest cathedral closes in Europe.
💡 Top Tip: The Salisbury Cathedral tower climb is not for the faint-hearted and you’ll need to be fit to tackle the 332 steps, but it’s worth it for the unparalleled views of the surrounding countryside.
Psst…You can visit Stonehenge, explore Salisbury Cathedral, and discover Windsor Castle in one day on this 5-star rated tour.
5. The Biggest Window: York Minster
– The Great East Window at York Minster is Britain’s largest medieval stained glass window: The window is 78 feet tall and about the size of a tennis court. Designed by John Thornton between 1405 and 1408, the window is made up of 311 panels.
💡Top Tip: Tickets to tour York Minster are included in the York Pass – giving you discounted entry to top York attractions, including Jorvik Viking Centre, and York Dungeon.
Psst… While you’e in York Minster, why not take on the Tower Challenge? It’s a 275 step climb up narrow stone spiral stairs and across the roof of the cathedral. The views from the top are incredible!
6. The Most Royal Tombs: Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, in the heart of Westminster, just a short walk from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It’s easily accessible via the Westminster Tube station on the Jubilee, Circle, and District lines.
This historic church has been the coronation site for every British monarch from William the Conqueror in 1066 to the current King – Charles III. It’s the final resting place of 30 kings and queens, including Edward the Confessor, who is buried behind the High Alta. Other famous tombs include Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.
Westminster Abbey has also hosted numerous royal weddings, including that of Queen Elizabeth II to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince William to Catherine Middleton. Most recently, it was also where the solemn royal funeral fwas held for Queen Elizabeth II.
Whether you’re drawn by its magnificent Gothic architecture, its rich royal heritage, or its proximity to other iconic sights, Westminster Abbey promises a fascinating journey through British history.
Psst….Westminster Abbey is very popular and the queues for tickets can be very long! Book a skip-the-line ticket to make the most of your visit.
7. The Harry Potter Connection: Durham Cathedral
Stunning Durham Cathedral is a masterpiece of Norman architecture built in the 11th and 12th centuries to house the relics of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede. It’s one of the must-visit destinations in historic Durham, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Top Tip: Admission to the cathedral is free.
Inside, you’ll find breathtaking vaulted ceilings, intricate stone carvings, glorious stained glass windows, and the Shrine of St. Cuthbert is still a pilgrimmage site today. The Galilee Chapel houses the remains of the Venerable Bede, the “Father of English History”.
Don’t Miss: The Sanctuary Ring on the cathedral’s North Door, which has been in place for over 800 years- offering a temporary refuge in the cathedral for people fleeing justice.
Durham Cathedral was also a filming location in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the U.S.) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The cathedral’s medieval architecture was the perfect backdrop for the magical world of Hogwarts.
The Cloisters depicted parts of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
- In The Philosopher’s Stone, where Harry and his friends walk through snowy Hogwarts courtyards and Harry released his pet owl Hedwig for a flight around Hogwarts Castle.
- In The Chamber of Secrets, where Harry frees Dobby the house-elf and in the famous scene when Ron’s ‘eat slugs’ curse backfires.
The beautiful Chapter House became Professor Minerva McGonagall’s classroom in the first two Harry Potter films. Dame Maggie Smith’s character led transfiguration lessons that saw Harry and his friends trying to turn animals into goblets.
8. The Weirdest Tradition: Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is one of England’s most architecturally interesting cathedrals, with origins dating to 680. Saint Oswald built a cathedral and monastery here in 983, with the present structure begun by Saint Wulfstan in 1084.
In Anglo-Saxon times, the cathedral was a centre for monastic learning. The Benedictine monks studied theology, medicine, law, and astronomy – and some medieval texts still remain in the cathedral’s library of 20,000 texts!
The monastery was dissolved in 1540 by Henry VIII and the Cathedral was damaged during the English Civil War. This lead to significant restoration efforts post-Restoration and during Victorian times (1864–75).
Today, this majestic cathedral is known for stunning stained glass windows, including the Great West Window which depicts the Genesis story.
💡 Top Tip: Look out for the famous pink giraffe!
The cathedral is also home to two royal tombs. King John (died 1216) is entombed in front of the High Altar, while the final resting place of Prince Arthur Tudor who died in 1502 is just to the right of the High Altar.
Fun Fact: One of the cathedral’s unique traditions is the annual pancake race held in the cloisters. Participants dash through the medieval halls flipping pancakes in celebration of Shrove Tuesday
9. The Longest Nave: Winchester Cathedral
Located at the western tip of the South Downs, medieval Winchester Cathedral has the longest nave of any cathedral in England at 170 meters (560 ft). In fact, it’s the longest in any Gothic cathedral in Europe – and the cathedral itself is the world’s longest medieval church, at 169 meters (554 ft).
The Norman crypt, medieval quire and original 12th century Winchester Bible are some of the most interesting things to see at this 11th century cathedral. Lovers of stained glass will also appreciate the unique West Window which was destroyed by parliamentary troops during the English Civil War. The window was faithfully rebuilt in 1660 using shattered glass.
💡Top Tip For Literary Visitors: Winchester Cathedral is the burial place of Jane Austen – one of England’s most famous writers.
Psst… Winchester is a great city to visit on a day trip from London.
10. The Most Haunted: Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1091, is a Gothic marvel located at the top of Lincoln’s famous – and appropraitely named – Steep Hill. Known as the spookiest cathedral in England, Lincoln Cathedral is said to be haunted by the spirits of “Black Death” plague victims.
Once the tallest building in the world (from 1311 to 1548), Lincoln Cathedral still dominates the city’s skyline, offering breathtaking views of this beautiful city that still has its medieval city walls.
🏨 Check out your hotel options in Lincoln here, although I highly recommend the charming Cathedral View Guest House 🙂
💡Top Tip: Lincoln cathedral is famous for its intricately carved stonework which includes a number of “grotesques”. The “Lincoln Imp” is the best known of these – look out for it on the north side of the Angel choir.
11. The Most Domestic Monastic Buildings: Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral, which is known as the “Ship of the Fens” for its striking silhouette rising above the flat Cambridgeshire landscape, is a breathtaking example of medieval architecture.
While it can trace its roots back to the 7th century, the current building was constructed between 1083 and 1350, with a harmonious blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles.
The most unique feature is the central octagon that rises above the whole width of the nave on arches. This was an engineering marvel of its time, that still floods the cathedral with light through beautiful stained glass windows.
Top Tip: Book a tour of the Octagon tower, for a behind-the-scenes view of the tower, and the magnificent panorama from the top!
Ely also has an impressive collection of residential monastic buildings, more than any other English cathedral. Today, these are home to the Dean, Resident Canons and both the Boy and Girl Cathedral choristers.
Whether you’re drawn by its architectural splendour, its serene setting, or its historical significance, Ely Cathedral is a little more off-the-beaten-path than other famous English cathedrals, but it offers a truly unique experience.
Read Next: How to Visit Ripon Cathedral – A Surprising Gem in a Tiny City!
Footnote on the Top Cathedrals in England
Visiting these sacred sites is special – whether you are a church-goer or not. From the place of Royal coronations to the largest, tallest and longest cathedrals in England, you’re sure to be struck by the history and extraordinary beauty of these stunning spiritual places.
So, now that we’ve covered the top cathedrals in England, which one(s) will you add to your UK trip bucket list? Do tag me on Instagram – I always love to see readers’ photos!
If you’re interested in architecture, check out these other articles!
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