England’s cathedrals aren’t just religious landmarks—they’re monumental archives of stone, sculpture, and centuries of history. From the vertical theatrics of Westminster Abbey’s Gothic arches to the serene symmetry of Salisbury Cathedral’s towering spire, each building tells a story of ambition, artistry, and faith. In this piece, we spotlight five of the most remarkable cathedrals across the country. Which would make your top five?
England's Top 5 Cathedrals
Westminster Abbey - Where Power Meets Perpendicular
- Period: 1245-1517
- Height nave: 31 meters
- 32,000 m2
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No list of England’s top cathedrals is complete without Westminster Abbey. More than a church, it’s a ceremonial nerve center—every coronation since 1066 has happened here. Architecturally, it’s a Gothic masterclass: flying buttresses, pointed arches, and an awe-inspiring nave that could make even the most secular visitor glance upward in reverence.
Wander through over a millennium of history via its chapels, cloisters, and surprisingly tranquil gardens. Oh, and here’s a lovely piece of timber trivia: behind one of its doors is the oldest in Britain, carved from oak around 1050—still standing, creaking with secrets.
Funfact:
The cathedral has the oldest door in England, dating back to 1050 and made of oak – still standing, creaking with secrets.
Salisbury Cathedral - A Spire That Scrapes the Sky
- Period: 1220-1258
- Height Nave: 24 meters
- m2: 8,000
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If cathedrals were in a race for height, Salisbury would win by a landslide. Its 123-meter spire—the tallest in Britain—pierces the Wiltshire sky with confidence. Built in the Early English Gothic style (think lancet windows and unflinching vertical lines), Salisbury is all about balance: spiritual gravitas meets architectural grace.
Inside, you’ll find some of the finest medieval craftsmanship in England, from delicately carved stonework to luminous stained glass. Don’t skip the Chapter House, home to one of the best surviving copies of the Magna Carta, or the library, where books older than most countries rest quietly beneath vaulted ceilings.
Canterbury Cathedral - Where Martyrdom Meets Mastery
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Building Period: 1070-1510
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Height Nave: 24 meters
m2: 12,000
- Visit online
Canterbury Cathedral isn’t just ancient—it’s foundational. As the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, it’s been a spiritual powerhouse since the 6th century. But its most infamous moment? The 1170 murder of Thomas Becket, right in the choir, turning it into one of medieval Europe’s busiest pilgrimage sites (shout-out to Chaucer).
Its architecture is a palimpsest of English ecclesiastical design: Romanesque crypt, Gothic choir, and a sprinkling of Norman solidity. The Trinity Chapel dazzles with some of the finest medieval stained glass in the world, while the cloisters and gardens offer moments of quiet in a building that has seen the full spectrum of human drama.
The Canterbury Cathedral Murder of Thomas Becket
This is the story about Thomas Becket, who got murdered in his very own Canterbury Cathedral.
York Minster - Gothic Grandeur in Full Bloom
- Period: 1220-1472
- Height Nave: 28 meters
- m2: 9,700
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York Minster isn’t just big—it’s breathtaking. As one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, it’s a symphony in stone, from its vast vaulted ceilings to its forest of intricately carved pinnacles. Step inside, and you’re surrounded by centuries of ambition, devotion, and architectural daring.
Its stained glass steals the show: the colossal Great East Window (the largest medieval stained glass window in the world) and the ethereal “Five Sisters” in the North Transept bathe the interior in holy technicolour. Below, the Undercroft Museum tells the story of the site’s Roman, Norman, and medieval layers—while the Treasury and Chapter House continue the tale in quiet, ecclesiastical detail.
Durham Cathedral - Where Romanesque Got Bold
- Building Period: 1093-1133
- Height Nave: 28 meters
- m2: 9,100
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Durham Cathedral isn’t just a Romanesque icon—it’s a game-changer. Completed in 1096, its choir aisles were the first in England to feature diagonal rib vaults, marking the birth of the Gothic skeleton: ribs first, masonry second. It’s the architectural equivalent of discovering the wheel—except in stone.
Perched dramatically above the River Wear, Durham’s silhouette is pure poetry. Inside, visitors can explore medieval cloisters, the Chapter House, a rare 14th-century kitchen, and the Open Treasure exhibition, a curated dive into the cathedral’s sacred stash of relics and riches.
Bonus for the pop culture pilgrims: Durham doubled as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films—yes, that’s the cloisters you’re seeing in the library and infirmary scenes. Incendio, nostalgia.
Your top 5!
What is your favorite top 5? Leave it in the comments!
