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Your Favourite Cathedral

(126 Posts)
Musicgirl Tue 29-Sept-26 23:48:03

Inspired by a Mumsnet thread, I thought it would be an enjoyable, gentle thread for us. I’ll start. My absolute favourite cathedral has always been Norwich, my home cathedral. The cloisters and the ceiling bosses, which tell the whole story of the Bible, are particular favourite features, as is the cathedral close outside. I am also very fond of Lichfield cathedral with its three spires and Chester cathedral built of red sandstone. We now live about ten miles from Peterborough and, while the rest of the city is somewhat depressed for many reasons, the cathedral is lovely.

Bellanonna Wed 30-Sept-26 11:31:24

I love all the cathedrals mentioned here and would add Rochester Cathedral to the list. Lovely Norman west door and lots of other interesting features.

EkwaNimitee Wed 30-Sept-26 11:53:54

Definitely Durham, and what a magnificent sight it is as you pass by on the train.
Others closely following are Ely, York, Lincoln and the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool. Even to an atheist, the latter has a wonderful uplifting and spiritual feel inside,
As for foreign ones, the Sagrada Família, I absolutely love it. And then there’s Chartres and Aachen….where we heard a great tenor singing, quite unaccompanied, the Panis Angelicus under the great dome, another uplifting experience.

Oreo Wed 30-Sept-26 13:24:58

I haven’t been in many but thought that Ely was marvellous.

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 30-Sept-26 13:50:05

Rochester is wonderful, Bellanonna. It's my hometown, and I sang in my school choir there many times.
The Norman Castle makes a fine backdrop, too.

Delila Wed 30-Sept-26 13:52:21

Wells

wavequeen134 Wed 30-Sept-26 13:53:30

St Davids Pembrokeshire where my family come from. It’s in such a beautiful setting

Newgran59 Wed 30-Sept-26 13:57:48

UK - Canterbury, so much history
But my true favourite is the Duomo in Milan where I could seek refuge from the blazing heat and bustle of the city with my young baby who was born there.

Sueinkent Wed 30-Sept-26 14:09:25

I live close to Canterbury but Wells is my favourite.

Labradora Wed 30-Sept-26 14:11:43

Chartres
Notre Dame de Paris
Canterbury
Reims.
All in no particular order.
I was very disappointed by York Minister.
I have seen not that many UK cathedrals and I will remember to take a look at the recommendations here.
Durham particularly I would like to see , as my nephew's wife hails from there.

GrandmaC47 Wed 30-Sept-26 14:22:07

Durham.
I agree with Georgesgran about the first glimpse across Palace Green.
I was lucky enough to have a view of it from my office window.

glasses Wed 30-Sept-26 14:30:12

St. Philip's Cathedral Birmingham. My home town, many of my ancestors were married or buried there.

GrammaH Wed 30-Sept-26 14:32:37

Wells is my favourite. We went to services there whilst our daughter was at school nearby. The school held their annual carol service there and one year, DD read a lesson, it was wonderful. I also love Lincoln and its wonderful position.
We visited Winchester for the first time this year and were very impressed with it. We went twice to explore, there's a lot to see.

1summer Wed 30-Sept-26 14:34:38

I have family who live in Wells love going to the beautiful cathedral and also the Bishops Palace. I really like York aswell.

sodapop Wed 30-Sept-26 14:36:39

Lincoln for me. I also remember seeing many years ago the most beautiful stained glass window in Hereford cathedral.

Willow67 Wed 30-Sept-26 14:41:05

Lincoln for me.

Mollygo Wed 30-Sept-26 14:45:22

Winchester and Lancaster, though the one I’ve visited most is Liverpool.

RillaofIngleside Wed 30-Sept-26 15:20:59

I was brought up and went to school in Lichfield, it holds wonderful memories for me. I love the cathedral with it's 3 spires. Our school hymn used to recount its history.

Foxtail Wed 30-Sept-26 15:43:30

I love most that i've visited but I really like Southwell Minster and its beautiful chapter house.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwell_Minster

Also love Lincoln Cathedral.

WelshPoppy Wed 30-Sept-26 16:02:44

I like St. David's but my favourite is my local, Llandaff. It's small and cosy.

Puss Wed 30-Sept-26 16:10:06

Durham, Ripon and Liverpool

Septimia Wed 30-Sept-26 16:22:51

Durham, certainly; also St Magnus in Kirkwall. I trained as a teacher in Winchester so enjoyed visiting the cathedral there.

I've always had affection for Guildford cathedral. Although it's 20th century it's traditional style and I remember the building being finished. I love the creamy stonework accented with blue and gold fittings.

winterwhite Wed 30-Sept-26 16:33:02

Impossible to rank them except by personal association. For me Peterborough and Rochester.

AuntieE Wed 30-Sept-26 16:38:55

Cologne, although Schelswieg runs it very close.

emilie Wed 30-Sept-26 16:39:06

Wells

Emeraldforest Wed 30-Sept-26 16:41:38

Peterborough and Ely are my lovely local ones...but I just love cathedrals!
I'm going to put a word in for Coventry which is not to everyone's taste, but I think it's very special.