Lichfield Cathedral
Latest Reviews
Visiting the cathedral was one of our main reasons for our Lichfield stay and we weren't disappointed. It is a great visit to a wonderful building with volunteers on site who were so friendly and helpful to add to our experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
To have such a treasure on the doorstep is a real treat and constant pleasure. Always a delight to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wow! Having visited Notre Dame, St. Mark's Basilica and St. Paul's in recent years, what a joy to discover that in Lichfield (stopping off en route elsewhere) is one of the most beautiful cathedrals not just in Britain but in Europe. The architecture and stained glass are phenomenal and the atmosphere is tranquil yet majestic. The Cathedral region of the city is similar to Exeter's, both out the hoards of people and bars and cafes around it. This means peace and tranquility for the visitor. Take your time, wander around and marvel at its splendour.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The positives: a nice friendly welcome from a couple of ladies with information, and a very interesting place full of wonders to see.
However, I do think that places that forbid photography unless you buy a permit are shooting themselves in the foot. I did not like the idea of being forced to pay to do something so natural to being on holiday, and as not being able to take photographs lessened my experience of the place, I felt less inclined to pay the rather large donation they ask of each visitor.
If they allowed free photography, then asked for a donation at the end for the upkeep one would have felt it a much more positive experience.
However, I do think that places that forbid photography unless you buy a permit are shooting themselves in the foot. I did not like the idea of being forced to pay to do something so natural to being on holiday, and as not being able to take photographs lessened my experience of the place, I felt less inclined to pay the rather large donation they ask of each visitor.
If they allowed free photography, then asked for a donation at the end for the upkeep one would have felt it a much more positive experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited the Cathedral many times. It is now looking even more stunning since the restored stained glass was put back
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
As I am a resident of Lichfield I look upon this wonderful Cathedral frequently, and love to walk around the inside when possible. It is overwhelming and peaceful at the same time, well worth a visit along side this lovely city.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely French style Gothic cathedral, beautifully proportioned, home to the famous Herkenrode glass, newly- restored, and to the St Chad Gospel and Saxon Angel, both 8th century. Also has some of the Staffordshire Hoard. Set in a compact close with bookshop and cafe. Entry is FREE but donations requested. Mediaeval library can also be visited.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Cathedral is such a Wonderful and interesting visit for people of all ages. In the heart of Lichfield City, just a short walk ( 3 minutes) from the shops. Peace, tranquility, history, architecture all in one place. I have visited the Cathedral many times and brought many friends and relatives to see it. Super place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I love Lichfield Cathedral, a lovely place to visit, I went at Christmas, loved the carols and stories. A fantastic building - beautiful to look at
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A friend and I visited the magnificent cathedral at Lichfield on a very wet day
We were greeted warmly and given a leaflet to assist with our wandering.
Beautiful stained glass windows delighted me. The cathedral has a long history and is a must see in Lichfield
Surprisingly there was no charge but a number of donation boxes around. Running a cathedral costs a lot of money £5.50 per minute. After spending a good hour plus we were pleased to leave a donation
We were greeted warmly and given a leaflet to assist with our wandering.
Beautiful stained glass windows delighted me. The cathedral has a long history and is a must see in Lichfield
Surprisingly there was no charge but a number of donation boxes around. Running a cathedral costs a lot of money £5.50 per minute. After spending a good hour plus we were pleased to leave a donation
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful calm cathedral with fascinating. museum display about St Chad and the Staffordshire Hoard. Just in the process of installing the newly cleaned stained glass windows which are amazing. Good cathedral shop in the square opposite the cathedral
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place to see a 1000 years of our history. Try the cathedral cafe too for a very nice lunch. Very attractive statues adorn the outside of this one of our more attractive cathedrals.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lichfield Cathedral is very beautiful, both inside and out. It sits in a lovely old close, not far from the cities two pools, and it's three spires dominate the skyline. The West end is a glory of stone carving and statues, and gives an eye opening sight of what to expect inside.
Internally, the dimensions and sheer scale do not disappoint, with the gothic interior a riot of carving and mouldings. The stained glass is lovely, with the wonderfully restored and rehung Herenrode Glass so unusual, and now protected for decades after a restoration. The Chapter house is very interesting with its arcaded foot washing area, the St Chad Gospels and replicas of the Stafford Hoard, treasures found not far away.
All around the interior of this marvellous building, there are items of great interest, each with a story to tell. The fabulous marble carving of the daughters of a Church official are some of the most precise and realistic statues I have ever seen! The small chapel where St Chad's head was shown to the faithful is tiny but lovely with new gilding to the stone work.
The quire is quite open, with the wonderful carved Bishop's chair (Cathedra), misericord seats and inlaid tiles and mosaics adding to the opulence.
We were fortunate to meet a guide who told us why the Cathedral appears to bend, and why the nave walls appear to slope outwords at the top,and other interesting facts about this wonderful building.
Make sure to walk around the exterior and see the statue of Charles II, and the tombs set into the external walls.
No charge to enter, but donation of £5 is expected. The shop inside was closed on our visit, but the other is across the Cathedral Close, and the tea rooms and garden are alongside.
Internally, the dimensions and sheer scale do not disappoint, with the gothic interior a riot of carving and mouldings. The stained glass is lovely, with the wonderfully restored and rehung Herenrode Glass so unusual, and now protected for decades after a restoration. The Chapter house is very interesting with its arcaded foot washing area, the St Chad Gospels and replicas of the Stafford Hoard, treasures found not far away.
All around the interior of this marvellous building, there are items of great interest, each with a story to tell. The fabulous marble carving of the daughters of a Church official are some of the most precise and realistic statues I have ever seen! The small chapel where St Chad's head was shown to the faithful is tiny but lovely with new gilding to the stone work.
The quire is quite open, with the wonderful carved Bishop's chair (Cathedra), misericord seats and inlaid tiles and mosaics adding to the opulence.
We were fortunate to meet a guide who told us why the Cathedral appears to bend, and why the nave walls appear to slope outwords at the top,and other interesting facts about this wonderful building.
Make sure to walk around the exterior and see the statue of Charles II, and the tombs set into the external walls.
No charge to enter, but donation of £5 is expected. The shop inside was closed on our visit, but the other is across the Cathedral Close, and the tea rooms and garden are alongside.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The whole of The Close is beautiful and well worth a visit. But the Cathedral is totally inspiring, a very special place for me. .
Source: facebook.com
I have spent many summers showing my friends the cathedral and its surrounding close. The Americans just love the history and the architecture of the Cathedral.
The staff of the cathedral are both friendly and informative and the calmness of the Cathedral is something rare to find in a city.
The staff of the cathedral are both friendly and informative and the calmness of the Cathedral is something rare to find in a city.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I'm sure Lichfield Cathedral functions well as a place of worship for those so inclined. But it's much more than that. As well as being an attractive and interesting building in its own right, it is encouraging to see that it functions as an asset to the community, facilitating uses that are over and above its religious function.
We went to see a concert by Fairport Convention. Seats were arranged for an audience of more than 500 in the main body of the building, while stalls selling drinks (including alcohol) and concert memorabilia, were arranged in an area to the rear of the main body.
The acoustics of the cathedral are surprisingly good considering the building must have been designed many centuries ago. From our seat, roughly in the centre of the main body of the building, the view of the band was OK.
One problem was the seating itself, which was cramped and uncomfortable. Perhaps the cathedral management might like to invest in better seats which offer a bit more room, and a more comfortable experience in the future. The other difficulty was the complete lack of toilet facilities in the building. Concert goers had to go about 100 yards down the road to a facility there, which caused huge queues during the interval.
We went to see a concert by Fairport Convention. Seats were arranged for an audience of more than 500 in the main body of the building, while stalls selling drinks (including alcohol) and concert memorabilia, were arranged in an area to the rear of the main body.
The acoustics of the cathedral are surprisingly good considering the building must have been designed many centuries ago. From our seat, roughly in the centre of the main body of the building, the view of the band was OK.
One problem was the seating itself, which was cramped and uncomfortable. Perhaps the cathedral management might like to invest in better seats which offer a bit more room, and a more comfortable experience in the future. The other difficulty was the complete lack of toilet facilities in the building. Concert goers had to go about 100 yards down the road to a facility there, which caused huge queues during the interval.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
When we visited the famous.stained-glass windows were covered up for repair, which was disappointing. Nevertheless there is much of interest to see inside this atmospheric place. The front facade is awsome.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I know, it sounds harsh, but after seeing the setting and the external architecture, I felt let down by the interior. For me Truro, Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester all have a certain something that I think gives them that extra. Pity.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I particularly liked the tone of the assistance of the volunteers. Gently helpful and well informed but not assertive or "in yer face" - starts with a free leaflet on arrival.
Having "done" the inside and learned about what was built when, a slow walk round the outside made much more sense.
Its surroundings (The Close) add much to the feelings of serenity, longevity and stately settlement.
Having "done" the inside and learned about what was built when, a slow walk round the outside made much more sense.
Its surroundings (The Close) add much to the feelings of serenity, longevity and stately settlement.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The three spires of this mediaeval cathedral tower over the town and the front is a marvellous reminder of our history both secular and religious, covered as it is with carvings of saints and kings. The blue gowned volunteers are warm and helpful, there are guides for adults and 'find the angels' for children. There is a small shop inside and a cafe almost opposite the side entrance. Pity the staff there aren't as warm and friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Would need to visit this place as it was truly amazing to see both, the inside as well as the outside.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
For years we have had a decorative plate with a lovely watercolour picture of Lichfield Cathedral on it and the building is every bit as wonderful as the painting. It is a graceful, beautifully designed edifice - the outside is covered with statues, one seldom sees that many in good condition outside the rest of Europe. The outside is a bit soot stained, but that does not detract too much from the appearance. As there were still Christmas trees and a Nativity scene this was an added dimension, pity they are restoring some of the windows - the scaffolding behind the High Altar and choir stalls is not attractive. There are glorious tiled floors, wonderful glass and the most unusual pulpit I've seen in years - made of wrought iron and embellished with semi-precious cabuchons and pretty enamelled plaques. It's one of England's few remaining free cathedrals - but they do like a donation - and was so quiet and peaceful (the same cannot be said for some that charge a true admission fee) that it was possible to feel that the rest of the world had temporarily ceased to exist. If I have a criticism, it's that there were no guides ( perhaps because it was New Year's Eve) they make so much difference to finding out about places such as this. Don't miss the little chapel of St. Chad. There is a restaurant - though we didn't try it - in the Chapter
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful place to be able to sit quietly despite lots of people in the building. It's now possible to view Lichfield from the rooftops of the cathedral and view pieces of the Staffordshire Hoard or just have some time alone with your thoughts. The Chapter House (part of the Catherdal complex) opposite also provides wonderful refreshments and in the summer months has a lovely garden to sit and enjoy your snacks and beverages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful start to our Christmas Day worshipping in this beautiful ancient cathedral where you feel so welcome and hear uplifting music and the Gospel proclaimed with enthusiasm and depth.
Source: facebook.com
My sister, mother and I visited Lichfield Cathedral on Monday 21st December to light candles in remembrance of loved ones and to pray for those who are ill or in need at this time of year. My mother is in a wheelchair and the access to the cathedral is great, sharing the same entrance as everyone else. We were warmly welcomed to the cathedral and asked if we required any information or help. The cathedral is wonderfully decorated for Christmas, beautiful decorations adorn the pillars and you can not fail to notice "sponsor a Christmas tree", tens of Christmas trees down each side of the cathedral sponsored and decorated by the local community. The stain glass windows at the far end of the cathedral where work is currently being undertaken is now close to completion March 2015. The windows where the work has been completed are just stunning, preserving these windows for generations to come. There are several places within the cathedral to light candles and small private areas to pray. The architecture is truly stunning and I hope the community will continue to financially support the cathedral when ever it can. There is a nativity set display from around the world donated temporarily from private owners. This is well worth visiting. A well stocked cathedral shop is in the corner manned by volunteers, (thank you to all of them for donating their time). I have visited many cathedrals all over the world but I am so lucky to have such a beautiful well maintained cathedral in my local city which is so accessible to local people to acess for quiet time and prayer. A must visit for everyone visiting Lichfield.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
