Gloucester Cathedral

With an 1,300 year long history, the Cathedral is one of the most significant heritage destinations in the South West of England. Built by Abbot Serlo, the foundation of stone of the Abbey of St Peter (now Gloucester Cathedral) was laid in 1089, the East End was dedicated in 1100 and by c.1130 the Nave was completed. A great deal of the Romanesque church survives, including the entire Crypt, much of the East End, the great Nave pillars and the Norman Chapter House.

Climb 269 steps to the top of the tower, descend into the atmospheric crypt or discover the depth and breadth of the Cathedral’s amazing history. There are a range of tours all led by expert guides.

When you get to the top of the winding medieval spiral staircase enjoy a breathtaking view from the top of the tower – on a clear day you can see forty miles across the glorious Gloucestershire countryside to the Malvern Hills.

On the way up you’ll visit the ringing chamber and the bell chamber where you’ll see ‘Great Peter’ the only medieval bell of its size still in use in England. You will hear about the fascinating world of the monks who used to live here, see how architecture has evolved over the last 1000 years and visit where Harry Potter was filmed.

Descend the steps from the South Transept to discover the hidden subterranean level of the Cathedral. This is where you’ll find remains of the very earliest parts of the building.

The Cathedral Gift Shop is the ideal place to pick a souvenir of your visit or a unique gift for a loved one. Open daily, it’s conveniently located at the back of the Nave opposite the main entrance of the Cathedral.

Inside you’ll find an extensive selection of greetings cards, as well as locally sourced produce, candles, jewellery, artwork and more. Music fans can also pick up a CD of music by the Cathedral Choir.