English Cathedrals

Wells Cathedral    Wells became a see in 909, and for the next 300 years squabbled with nearby Bath for the position. In the 13th century the quarrel was ended by creating the joint bishopric of Bath and Wells. In the meantime Wells had gained what has been called the earliest completely Gothic cathedral in Europe. The west screen, with places for 300 carved figures, is a striking sight, as is the scissors vault (more properly called strainer arches) that was a 14th century attempt to shore up the shifting foundations of the central tower. Look at the carvings decorating the transepts. One shows a man grimacing with a fearsome toothache. The Wells chapter house is amazing, with its central pier sprouting 32 vaulting ribs, but the staircase to reach it is equally notable; it curves and undulates like flowing water. There is also a 14th century mechanical clock that strikes the hours by having two wooden knights bash each other with battleaxes. Nearby is the Bishop's Palace and the 14th century purpose-built street of houses for the vicars of the cathedral. The ambience is wonderful. Don't miss Wells. Wells, Somerset, England, BA5 2UE Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: Wells Cathedral Email: office@wellscathedral.uk.net Phone: 01749 674 483 Fax: 01749 832 210 Location map Details of Wells Cathedral OS ST551 459 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Westminster Abbey    Ok, ok, it isn't actually called a cathedral, but it has to go somewhere, and this is the place. Begun by Edward the Confessor, who lived just long enough to see it consecrated on December 28, 1065. Edward's tomb is behind the high altar. Just a week after Edward's death, Harold Goodwineson was crowned in the Abbey, and every monarch since then has followed suit (except Edward V and Edward VIII, neither of whom was ever crowned). Little of the Confessor's church remains, beyond the undercroft and the Chamber of the Pyx, because in 1245 Henry III decided to rebuild the whole thing. In the process he created the highest nave in the country at 102 feet. Rebuilding continued over the next few centuries, though thankfully the original style was sympathetically adhered to. The crowning architectural addition to the Abbey is Henry VII's amazing chapel, with its intricate fan vaulting. The interior of the Abbey can be disappointing. For one thing it is swarming with people gawking just like you are. For another, it is crammed with memorials, over 1,000 of them. The monarchs are here, of course, but so are politicians, scientists, artists, and so many literary giants that Poet's Corner was created. More moving is "Innocent's Corner", with the tombs of the infant daughters of James I and the Princes in the Tower. London, Greater London, England, SW1P 3PA Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: Westminster Abbey Email: info@westminster-abbey.org Phone: 020 7222 5152 Fax: 020 7233 2072 Location map Details of Westminster Abbey OS TQ301 795 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Westminster Cathedral    The most imposing and most important Catholic church in England, a marvel in multi-coloured brick. Westminster Cathedral (not to be confused with Westminster Abbey!) was designed by John Francis Bentley in extravagent Byzantine style. It was begun in 1895 and finished seven years later. It really has no parallel among English churches great or small; the syle is unique on these shores. 42 Francis Street, Victoria London, Greater London, England, SW1P 1QW Attraction Type: Cathedral Location: off Victoria Street, between Victoria Station and Westminster Abbey Website: Westminster Cathedral Phone: 020 7798 9055 Fax: 020 7798 9090 Location map OS TQ292789 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Whipsnade Tree Cathedral    A cathedral of a different sort: a peaceful green space created with different varieties of trees planted in the shape of a cathedral, with nave and transepts. Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England Attraction Type: Cathedral Location: 2 m S Dunstable, off B4540 Website: Whipsnade Tree Cathedral Phone: 01582 872 406 Fax: 01582 872 936 National Trust Details of Whipsnade Tree Cathedral OS TL008 180 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Winchester Cathedral    A see as early as 662, Winchester was home to St. Swithin, an early bishop. His wish to be buried outside was politely ignored when he died. The early church was rebuilt beginning in the late 11th century under Walchelin, the first Norman bishop. He chose a very unpromising site; the ground was so marshy that thousands of wooden piles had to be driven into the ground to make it solid enough to build what was then the longest church in Europe. When William Rufus died in the New Forest in 1100 he was buried beneath the tower crossing. The tower promptly fell down, causing widespread concern that heaven disapproved of the unpopular king's resting place. Such was Winchester's importance in the Middle Ages that the cathedral was used as many as three times a year for royal court functions. Winchester's greatest bishop was William of Wykeham, founder of Winchester College and New College, Oxford, who began the rebuilding of the Norman nave. Look up above the piers; there you can see metal brackets that were used to hang tapestries. Winchester is also rich in chantry chapels, the tombs of the bishops. In the presbytery there are mortuary chests containing the bones of Saxon kings and bishops. When Parliamentary troops despoiled the cathedral during the Civil War, they used these bones as missiles to break up the stained glass windows. Winchester, Hampshire, England, SO23 9LS Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: Winchester Cathedral Email: cathedral.office@winchester-cathedral.org.uk Phone: 01962 857 200 Fax: 01962 857 201 Location map Details of Winchester Cathedral OS SU482 292 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering