15 Best Cathedrals in England to Visit in 2025: A Complete Guide
Discover the most magnificent medieval cathedrals in England. From Norman grandeur to Gothic splendour, these marvels of engineering and vision offer an unparalleled journey into the medieval mind.
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England's Cathedral Heritage
England's medieval cathedrals represent an intensity of aesthetic delight that would be hard to equal anywhere in the world. From the Norman Conquest to the Reformation, these architectural treasures showcase the extraordinary vision and capability of their creators.
This guide explores 15 of England's most splendid cathedrals, each offering a unique glimpse into our architectural heritage. Most of these sites are visited on our nine-day tour ‘The Cathedrals of England’, a quest of profound beauty, history and spiritual significance. Our other England tours, as well as across the rest of the UK also visit significant ecclesiastical sites.
1. Canterbury Cathedral
Location: Kent, South East England
Founded: 597 AD, rebuilt after fire in 1174
Architectural style: Romanesque and Gothic
Famous for: Thomas Becket's martyrdom, UNESCO World Heritage status, seat of the Archbishop
The spiritual heart of Anglicanism, Canterbury Cathedral embodies nearly a millennium of English religious history. Its stonework narrates the story of Thomas Becket's martyrdom in 1170, an event that transformed the cathedral into one of medieval Europe's most prominent pilgrimage sites.
The cathedral's stunning array of stained glass includes portions of the original 12th-century windows, whilst the soaring nave and intricate fan vaulting demonstrate the evolution of Gothic architecture across centuries. The Trinity Chapel and Corona showcase exquisite craftsmanship that once surrounded the shrine of St Thomas, destroyed during the Reformation yet still drawing visitors in reverent appreciation.
The intimate but ultimately destructive friendship of Henry II and Thomas Becket is examined in a visit to the Cathedral on our tour ‘Norman Conquest and Plantagenet Power’.
2. Durham
Location: County Durham, North East England
Founded: 1093
Architectural style: Romanesque (Norman)
Famous for: UNESCO World Heritage status, Norman architecture, peninsula location
Rising dramatically above the wooded banks of the River Wear, Durham Cathedral stands as perhaps the finest Romanesque building in Europe.
Largely completed in the decades from 1093 and little altered since, the nave and quire with their great cylindrical pillars, distinguished by engraved patterns, constitute one of the world's greatest Romanesque churches. The cathedral's extraordinary cohesiveness of design reflects its relatively rapid construction.
The cathedral's profound sense of solidity and permanence, qualities sought by its Norman builders, creates an atmosphere of timeless sanctity. There is the opportunity to attend Evensong or Evenprayer here on our tour ‘The Age of Bede’.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’ & ‘The Age of Bede’
3. York Minster
Location: North Yorkshire, North England
Founded: 7th century, current building from 1220
Architectural style: Gothic (Early English, Decorated, Perpendicular)
Famous for: Great East Window, Chapter House, medieval stained glass collection
York Minster, the largest of English medieval cathedrals, dominates the ancient city. Above ground it is all Gothic, from Early English to Perpendicular but predominantly 14th-century, exhibiting influences from French Rayonnant style.
The cathedral is a treasure trove of original stained glass, including the incomparable Great East Window—the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. The polygonal chapter house, perfectly acoustically balanced and crowned with an innovative wooden vault, is without peer.
The Minster's grandeur is complemented by the intimate beauty of its details—hundreds of carvings, statues and ornamentations that reward careful observation and repeated visits.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’
4. Salisbury Cathedral
Location: Wiltshire, South West England
Founded: 1220
Architectural style: Early English Gothic
Famous for: Tallest spire in Britain, original Magna Carta, single architectural style
One of the most uplifting experiences in English architecture, Salisbury is unique among the Gothic cathedrals in England in that it was built on a virgin site and largely in a single campaign, 1220–58. To homogeneity are added lucidity of design and perfection of detail. Completed a century later, the spire at 404 feet is the tallest medieval structure in Britain.
The cathedral houses one of only four surviving original copies of Magna Carta and boasts Britain's oldest working clock mechanism. Its close is the finest in the country, with perfectly preserved medieval buildings surrounding the immaculately maintained lawns.
The extraordinary unity of vision and spiritual harmony of Salisbury makes it perhaps the most immediately comprehensible of England's Gothic cathedrals—a masterclass in architectural purity.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’
5. Lincoln Cathedral
Location: Lincolnshire, East Midlands
Founded: 1072, rebuilt after earthquake in 1185
Architectural style: Norman and Gothic
Famous for: Lincoln Imp, former world's tallest building
Lincoln Cathedral's hilltop site above the broad Witham valley renders this enormous cathedral even more imposing. Largely rebuilt from 1192, it has always been revered as one of the finest of Gothic cathedrals, its fascinations enhanced by myriad minor inconsistencies and variations which reveal a struggle for expression at the frontiers of artistic fashion and technological capability.
Once the tallest building in the world (before its central spire collapsed in 1549), Lincoln remains a monument to medieval ambition. The famous Lincoln Imp, a small carved figure high in the Angel Choir, adds a touch of poetry to this architectural giant.
The steep streets of the ancient town, particularly Steep Hill leading up to the cathedral, are a delight that prepares visitors for the visual feast soaring above.
Visited on: 'Lincolnshire Churches' and ‘The Cathedrals of England’
6. Wells Cathedral
Location: Somerset, South West England
Founded: 1176
Architectural style: Early English Gothic
Famous for: Scissor arches, West Front statuary, Chapter House staircase
An exceptionally unspoilt little city, Wells centres around its magnificent cathedral, one of the first in England to be built entirely in Gothic style. Its screened west front, with hundreds of medieval statues, forms a "sermon in stone" illustrating the Christian story in sculptural form.
The cathedral's eastward march of the nave, sequence of experimental contrasted spaces of the Decorated east end, serene chapter house and Perpendicular cloisters all contribute to its exceptional allure. The strainer arches supporting the sagging tower—the famous "scissor arches"—are among the great creative solutions of the Middle Ages, engineering brilliance transformed into aesthetic triumph.
The cathedral forms part of a perfect medieval complex including the Bishop's Palace with its moat and drawbridge, and the 14th-century houses of the Vicars Choral arranged around a quadrangle.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’
7. Ely Cathedral
Location: Cambridgeshire, East of England
Founded: 1083
Architectural style: Romanesque and Gothic
Famous for: Octagon lantern tower, Lady Chapel
Rising from the flat Cambridgeshire fenland, ‘The ship of the Fens’ occupies a surprisingly remote and rural location for one of England's greatest cathedrals. The mighty Norman nave and transepts (c. 1110–30), with their thick walls, tiers of arches and clusters of shafts, lead to the crossing and its unique 14th-century octagonal lantern, a work of genius following the collapse of the original tower.
The detached Lady Chapel, also in the Decorated style, is the largest and perhaps the finest in the country; the Early English quire a ravishing setting for the lost shrine to St Etheldreda. The cathedral's perfect proportions and the breathtaking ingenuity of its octagon—with its complex timber structure disguised by ornate vaulting—make it one of the most satisfying architectural experiences in Britain.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’ and ‘Medieval East Anglia’ – register your interest.
8. Winchester Cathedral
Location: Hampshire, South East England
Founded: 1079
Architectural style: Norman and Gothic (Perpendicular)
Famous for: Jane Austen's grave, longest medieval nave, mortuary chests of Saxon kings
Winchester Cathedral is one of Europe's longest churches, reflecting the city's intermittent status from the 9th to the 17th centuries as a centre for English power and expression. The transepts are unembellished early Norman (1079), raw architecture of brute power, whereas the mighty nave was dressed 300 years later in suave Perpendicular garb.
The profusion of chantry chapels constitutes an enchanting collection of Gothic micro-architecture. Its historic treasures include superb wall paintings, medieval floor tiles, and the finest 12th-century Bible. Jane Austen's grave draws literary pilgrims, whilst the peaceful Close and water meadows beyond offer contemplative spaces after the cathedral's magnificence.
Diver William Walker, who worked underwater for six years to replace the cathedral's waterlogged foundations in the early 20th century, is commemorated in a small statue—a reminder of the continuous care these great buildings require.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’
9. Exeter Cathedral
Location: Devon, South West England
Founded: 1112, rebuilt in 13th century
Architectural style: Decorated Gothic
Famous for: Longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling, astronomical clock, misericords
Known for having the longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling in the world, Exeter Cathedral presents a masterclass in the Decorated Gothic style. Its twin towers flank a west front enriched with medieval sculpture, whilst the interior draws the eye inevitably upward to the magnificent stone vaulting, adorned with hundreds of carved bosses depicting biblical stories, natural forms and fantastical creatures.
The cathedral houses an exceptional 15th-century astronomical clock and a collection of misericords (hidden carvings beneath choir seats) that offer glimpses of medieval humour and everyday life. The spacious chapter house and peaceful cloisters provide respite from the soaring drama of the main building.
Exeter's perfect proportions and harmonious design make it a cathedral of singular beauty despite its relatively modest size compared to some of its counterparts.
See the Cathedral website for visitor information.
10. Gloucester Cathedral
Location: Gloucestershire, South West England
Founded: 1089
Architectural style: Norman and Perpendicular Gothic
Famous for: Fan vaulting, cloisters, tomb of Edward II
The procession of tall cylindrical pillars in Gloucester's nave is unadulterated Norman, but, following the burial of Edward II in 1327, the eastern parts are exquisitely veiled in the first large-scale appearance of Perpendicular architecture. The east window, which retains much of its medieval stained glass, is one of the largest in Europe.
The cathedral's magnificent fan-vaulted cloisters represent the pinnacle of medieval stone craftsmanship. The tomb of Edward II, with its elaborate canopy, remains a place of pilgrimage for enthusiasts.
Gloucester exemplifies the evolution of the English cathedrals over centuries, a living record of English art and faith.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’
11. Norwich Cathedral
Location: Norfolk, East of England
Founded: 1096
Architectural style: Romanesque (Norman)
Famous for: Complete Norman ground plan, second tallest spire in England, cloisters
Known for its magnificent spire and beautiful cloisters, Norwich Cathedral stands as one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe. The cathedral is distinguished by its complete Norman ground plan, largely unaltered since its foundation in 1096.
The cloisters, the largest in England, provide a peaceful enclosure adorned with hundreds of carved roof bosses. The cathedral's spire—the second tallest in England—dominates the Norwich skyline, whilst its spacious Close contains a wealth of historic buildings reflecting the cathedral's monastic past.
More recent additions include the striking Hostry Visitor Centre, a sensitive modern complement to the structure. The cathedral's resident peregrine falcons, which nest on the spire, have become an unexpected additional attraction.
Visited on ‘Medieval East Anglia’ – register your interest.
12. Peterborough Cathedral
Location: Cambridgeshire, East of England
Founded: 1118
Architectural style: Norman and Gothic
Famous for: West Front (Gothic portico), painted wooden ceiling, burial place of Catherine of Aragon
Famous for its striking West Front—the finest surviving example of a Gothic portico—and as the burial site of Catherine of Aragon, Peterborough Cathedral combines Norman solidity with Gothic elaboration. The wooden ceiling of the nave, painted in the 13th century, is unique among English cathedrals.
The cathedral was largely spared during the Reformation, despite the destruction of the shrine of St Thomas of Canterbury. The annual Katherine of Aragon Festival commemorates the queen's connection with the cathedral, whilst its spacious precincts preserve the atmosphere of the former Benedictine monastery.
The combination of architectural styles, from austere Norman arches to the filigree of later Gothic work, creates a building of fascinating contrasts and profound beauty.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’
13. Coventry Cathedral
Location: West Midlands
Founded: Original 14th century, modern cathedral consecrated 1962
Architectural style: Modernist
Famous for: Reconciliation ministry, modernist design, ruins of old cathedral
Unlike its medieval counterparts, Coventry Cathedral embodies a story of 20th-century destruction and rebirth. Built to designs by Sir Basil Spence beside the ruins of its predecessor, destroyed in the Blitz of 1940, it is both a showcase for some of the best art of the time and a moving monument to peace and reconciliation.
The juxtaposition of the preserved ruins with the new cathedral creates a powerful testament to resilience and hope. Graham Sutherland's monumental tapestry, John Piper's baptistery window, and Jacob Epstein's sculpture of St Michael and the Devil demonstrate how contemporary art can serve sacred purposes with profound impact.
The cathedral's ministry of peace and reconciliation, developed in response to the tragedy of war, continues to inspire visitors from around the world.
Visited on: ‘The Cathedrals of England’
14. Ripon Cathedral
Location: North Yorkshire, North England
Founded: 672 AD (crypt), current building mainly 13th-16th centuries
Architectural style: Early English and Perpendicular Gothic
Famous for: 7th-century crypt, misericords, Lewis Carroll connection
Said to have inspired Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Ripon Cathedral combines intimate scale with significant antiquity. Its 7th-century crypt, known as St Wilfrid's Needle, is the oldest structure of any English cathedral, whilst its soaring west front announces Gothic ambitions despite the cathedral's relatively modest size.
The misericords beneath the choir stalls include fantastical carvings that may indeed have fired Carroll's imagination during his father's time as a canon. The cathedral's 16th-century rood screen survived the Reformation by being transformed into an organ loft, an example of pragmatic preservation.
Regular choral services maintain the cathedral's ancient traditions of worship, whilst its position in the heart of the charming city of Ripon makes it an accessible delight for visitors.
See the cathedral website for visitor information.
15. Bristol Cathedral
Location: Bristol, South West England
Founded: 1140 as abbey church, cathedral since 1542
Architectural style: Medieval Hall Church with Norman chapter house
Famous for: Hall church design, Norman chapter house, medieval choir stalls
Bristol Cathedral is a much-overlooked gem with fine work of every era, from the lavishly patterned walls of the Romanesque chapter house to G. E. Street's great Victorian nave. But its highlight is the east end, among the most innovative and beautiful of early 14th-century buildings.
The cathedral's unique hall church design—with aisles the same height as the nave—creates an interior of exceptional spaciousness and light. The medieval choir stalls and organ case enhance the sense of historic continuity, whilst its position near Bristol's Harbourside places it at the heart of the city's regeneration.
Bristol demonstrates how cathedrals continue to serve as focal points for civic identity and community life, adapting to changing urban contexts whilst maintaining their sacred purpose.
See the cathedral website for visitor information.
Canterbury Cathedral was founded in 597 AD, though the current building dates primarily from the 12th-14th centuries. The oldest cathedral structure still in use is St Wilfrid's Crypt at Ripon Cathedral, dating from 672 AD.
