Situated near the River Severn in the north of Gloucester, the cathedral is a must-see stop on your sightseeing tour. Here you can discover you need to know about Gloucester Cathedral’s history and all it has to offer today!
Originally built as an Abbey between the years 678 and 679, the cathedral we see today has been under development for 1,300 years and is one of the most excellent examples of medieval architecture in England.
Alongside its medieval style, you can still see several different architectural styles in the cathedral that are telling of its vast history. These include Perpendicular and grand Romanesque features. There’s also a lot of stunning medieval stained glass to see in the cathedral, including The Great East Window, which is the size of a tennis court!
Highlights
Entrance to Gloucester Cathedral is free, and there are lots of fascinating guided tours you can join when you’re inside – just look out for one of their expert guides wearing a red sash.
If you’d prefer taking a couple of hours to explore yourself, you can purchase a handy guide book for just £2 in the gift shop and learn about the history of the cathedral while you wander around.
Our recommendation? Explore the famous Whispering Gallery, the stunning Lady Chapel and its magnificent Cloisters, where some scenes in the Harry Potter franchise were filmed! Gloucester Cathedral is the burial place of royalty, home to the tomb of Edward II, which you can view on your way around.
There are things to do for all ages, and most of the tours are accessible to children too, though some have an age limit. We recommend giving the New Tribune Gallery a visit if you do have little ones with you, as it features an interactive experience, fun dressing up and creative games. Make sure you check out the family activities page for all the fun and factual events which are suitable for children before your stay.
Guided tours
There are also several unique guided tours available which cost between £3-£7 to join. Visitors can choose between:
• Crypt tours down into the depths of the cathedral
• Library tours
• Towers tours, which feature a climb up and down a long-winding spiral staircase to the roof, and a clear view across Gloucestershire!
After your guided tour, you can take a well-earned break in the coffee shop, or grab some souvenirs in the gift shop before you leave.
Gloucester Cathedral is an absolute must-see on a cultural visit or a weekend break in Gloucester. If you’re planning a trip and are looking for hotels near Gloucester Cathedral, our stunning Grade II listed Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel is just five miles away from the Cathedral – an ideal location for sightseeing and shopping in the city.
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