Birmingham Cathedral: Your Essential Guide to this Iconic Landmark

Birmingham Cathedral, or St. Philips Cathedral, stands as a testament to the city’s history. More than simply a place of worship, this iconic landmark offers visitors a captivating blend of architectural splendour, artistic wonders and spiritual significance, so it’s a must-see attraction for anyone exploring Birmingham.

The magnificent edifice we see today is a far cry from Birmingham Cathedral’s humble beginnings 300 years ago. In 1715, a new parish church was built in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer. However, the initial structure was relatively modest and struggled to accommodate the population of a rapidly growing industrial city. Over the following centuries, the church underwent several expansions to meet the needs of the community. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, an ambitious rebuilding project gave us the current incarnation. Partly overseen by architect Julius Alfred Chatwin, this stage involved extending the shallow eastern apse into a much larger chancel and building the imposing nave and transepts that form the heart of the cathedral today.

A pivotal moment in the church’s history came with its elevation to cathedral status in 1905. This wider recognition reflected the building’s architectural grandeur as well as its growing importance as the city’s spiritual and social centre. As a symbol of faith and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham, St. Philip’s became the diocesan cathedral and helped shape Birmingham’s spiritual identity.

Stepping inside Birmingham Cathedral is like being transported back in time. Its Baroque style, characteristic grandeur, giant pilasters, rusticated stonework and ornate detailing perfectly complement the soaring arches of the nave, the intricate carvings adorning the columns and the richly decorated altar. The artistic highlight of Birmingham Cathedral, however, lies in its four stunning stained-glass windows, world-renowned works designed by Edward Burne-Jones. Considered some of the finest examples of Pre-Raphaelite art anywhere in the world, these masterpieces were created between 1885 and 1897 and depict scenes from the life of Jesus.

To keep them safe during World War II, the windows were taken to a Welsh slate mine in 1939. Given that the cathedral suffered extensive damage caused by an incendiary bomb in 1940, this decision showed remarkable foresight. The windows are not merely decorative; they create a powerful visual narrative that is rich in symbolism and imbued with spiritual depth, so they attract lovers of art as well as religious followers. Their vibrant colours, intricate detail and evocative imagery captivate visitors and offer a profound meditation on faith and the human condition. Restored to their former glory in 2023, they are once again the cathedral’s centrepiece.

Beyond the magnificent windows, the cathedral has a wealth of artistic treasures, from intricate wooden carvings and sculpted figures to stunning mosaics and a tower with a gilded cross and boar’s head weathervane. The original Birmingham Cathedral organ was built by Thomas Swarbrick and some of it still remains in the current organ, although it has been enlarged and restored many times over the years, most recently in 1993. Every element of the cathedral contributes to the building’s complexity and mystery, transforming it into the landmark we have today.

Birmingham Cathedral’s significance extends beyond its architectural and artistic wonders. As the city’s spiritual hub, it hosts regular services, masses and events that draw people from all walks of life. Its welcoming atmosphere fosters a sense of community and provides a space for reflection, prayer and spiritual growth. The cathedral transcends purely religious functions, though. It serves as a venue for cultural events including concerts, exhibitions and lectures that highlight its importance as the centre of Birmingham’s cultural landscape.

• The cathedral hosts regular candlelight concerts that pay tribute to acts from Abba to Ed Sheeran, Coldplay to Queen and U2 to Hans Zimmer. These concerts are very popular so there are often up to four or five events each week. You can also expect lunchtime recitals on most Fridays throughout the year.
• The three main midweek daily worship services held at the cathedral include Morning Prayer, Holy Communion and Evening Prayer. On Sunday mornings, the principal service is the Choral Eucharist, while Choral Evensong is held in the afternoons.
• The Birmingham Cathedral Choir gives regular concerts in the cathedral and indeed across the diocese. Their repertoire ranges from Bach and Mozart to the great 19th- and 20th-century Anglican church composers, as well as modern commissioned pieces of music.

• Getting there: Birmingham Cathedral is easily accessible by public transport, with numerous bus routes and train stations nearby, including Birmingham New Street Station (five-minute walk) and Birmingham Snow Hill Station (three-minute walk).
• Open: From 7:20am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday, 8:20am to 5pm Saturday, 8:20am to 5:15pm on Sunday. This gives you plenty of time to explore the main building and its grounds.
• Admission: Free, but there are also paid guided tours available that give valuable insights into the cathedral’s history, architecture and artistic heritage.
• When to visit: It's best to visit the cathedral in early or late summer when the British weather is more reliable but it’s not too busy or warm. There are also plenty of festive services in the Christmas period.
• Where to stay: There's plenty of excellent hotel accommodation in Birmingham city centre, with the ibis Styles Birmingham Centre particularly well placed for exploring the cathedral and nearby attractions.

The Colmore Business District may buzz with commercial activity during the day but this vibrant neighbourhood comes alive at night. There are dozens of bars and restaurants on Colmore Row but, if you prefer a slower pace of life, you could always explore Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

The Jewellery Quarter has the largest concentration of jewellers in Europe, producing 40% of all the jewellery made in the UK. Wander narrow streets lined with Victorian buildings and then visit one of the trendy bars or restaurants.

Birmingham's Chinatown is one of the largest Chinese districts in the UK. As well as exploring all the Chinese restaurants, shops and attractions like the famous Chinese Gate, you can pick up hard-to-find ingredients in the bustling street markets.

The Bull Ring & Grand Central used to be two shopping centres, although they have now merged into the largest city-centre complex in the UK. Every major designer brand has an outlet in the shopping centre, and there are also restaurants serving everything from Lebanese cuisine to traditional cream teas.

The Sir Norman Foster-designed National Sea Life Centre is a vast aquarium with more than 60 displays of freshwater marine life and 2,000 species – including sharks, rays, turtles and penguins – from around the world. It also has the only fully transparent underwater tunnel in the UK, so it's a great attraction if one of your kids is a budding marine biologist.

Birmingham Cathedral is more than just a building; it's a living testament to faith, art and community. It stands as a symbol of Birmingham’s identity, inviting you to explore its history, appreciate its beauty and experience its spiritual heart. Need to refuel after your visit? There's delicious food aplenty at these top Birmingham food markets.