In this article, we’ll take a look at England’s top 5 cathedrals. England is known for its beautiful and historic cathedrals. Each with their own unique stories and architectural features. From the stunning Gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey to the iconic tower of Salisbury Cathedral, there are plenty of cathedrals worth visiting throughout the country. What is your favorite top 5?
England's Top 5 Cathedrals
Westminster Abbey
- Period: 1245-1517
- Height nave: 31 meters
- 32,000 m2
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Westminster Abbey is one of the most iconic cathedrals in England. Built in the Gothic style, it has been the site of coronations and royal weddings for centuries. The nave is particularly impressive, with its soaring arches and intricate stone carvings. Visitors (over 1 million per year!) can also explore the chapels, cloisters, and gardens that surround the abbey.
Funfact:
The cathedral has the oldest door in England, dating back to 1050 and made of oak.
Salisbury Cathedral
- Period: 1220-1258
- Height Nave: 24 meters
- m2: 8,000
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Salisbury Cathedral is renowned for its stunning spire, which towers over the surrounding countryside. Built in the Early English style, the cathedral is also known for its intricate carvings and stunning stained glass windows. Visitors can explore the cathedral’s cloisters, Chapter House, and medieval library, which houses some of the oldest books in England.
Funfact:
It spire stands at a height of 404 feet (123 meters) and is the tallest in England. It is also one of the tallest spires in the world.
Canterbury Cathedral
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Building Period: 1070-1510
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Height Nave: 24 meters
m2: 12,000
- Visit online
Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most important cathedrals in England. It is the site of the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170 and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The cathedral’s architecture reflects its long history, with elements of Norman, Gothic, and Romanesque styles. Visitors can explore the crypt, cloisters, and gardens, as well as the famous stained glass windows of the Trinity Chapel.
Funfact:
The cathedral has a beautiful medieval stained-glass window called the “Miracle Window” that depicts the miracle of the bleeding host.
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
- Period: 1220-1472
- Height Nave: 28 meters
- m2: 9,700
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York Minster is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with its soaring vaulted ceilings and intricate stone carvings. The cathedral is also known for its stunning stained glass windows, which include the famous “Five Sisters” window in the North Transept. Visitors can explore the Undercroft Museum, which houses artifacts from the cathedral’s long history, as well as the Treasury and the Chapter House.
Durham Cathedral
- Building Period: 1093-1133
- Height Nave: 28 meters
- m2: 9,100
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Last, but certainly not least: Durham Cathedral. A masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. It is even the cathedral of the birth of the cross rib vault: a skeleton of arches or ribs on which the masonry could be laid. The earliest diagonal rib vaults in England were used in the choir aisles at Durham Cathedral, completed in 1096.
The cathedral is also known for its stunning location, perched atop a hill overlooking the River Wear. Visitors can explore the cloisters, the Chapter House, and the medieval kitchen, as well as the Open Treasure exhibition, which showcases the cathedral’s treasures and artifacts.
Funfact:
It was a filming location for Harry Potter. Fans of the Harry Potter movies will be pleased to know that Durham Cathedral was featured in the first two films of the franchise. It was used as the location for the Hogwarts library and infirmary.
Your top 5!
What is your favorite top 5? Leave it in the comments!
