Historic England - Churches and cathedrals

For centuries, churches have been at the centre of the lives of the communities they have served. They provide a foundation for creativity, self-worth and a deeper quality of life – The Church of England. No surprise then that they have played such a significant role in our history and development. Putting your religious beliefs to one side, you are bound to be humbled by the experience of visiting one of the many fascinating places of worship that can be discovered around the English regions.

East of England

The East of England is home to Britain's largest collection of cathedrals. Seek out the resting place of Britain's first Christian martyr at St. Albans; climb the superb 14th C. Octagon at Ely; view amazing carved roof bosses in Norwich; and pay your respects at the tomb of Queen Katharine of Aragon at Peterborough.

The region is also noted for a superb collection of churches - they are one of the nation’s great treasures. Look out for hammerbeam angel roofs, beautiful flint flushwork, and the unique round towered churches of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Find out more about heritage in the East of England 

East Midlands

Known as the most exquisite example of a church steeple, Grantham St Wulfram houses the Chained Library, where Sir Isaac Newton is thought to have worked on his revolutionary theories. Eighty-three of the surviving books still have their original chains attached. Meanwhile, Boston St Botolph's, inappropriately named 'The Stump', boasts the tallest tower of any English parish church. Then of course there's Lincoln Cathedral (www.lincolncathedral.com/), held by some to be the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles. Once inside, be sure to track down the Bishop's Eye window, the Angel Choir and the notorious Lincoln imp!

More info on cathedrals and churches in England’s East Midlands

Heart of England

Worcester Cathedral (www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/cathedral/index.php) has been a place of prayer and worship since 680 AD, with the present building dating back to 1084. It has many attractions including King John's Tomb and Prince Arthur's Chantry. A beautiful location beside the River Severn won it a place on the £20 note issued by the Bank of England.

Not too far away across the county line, a cathedral has stood in Hereford since Saxon times, and the present building contains some of the finest examples of architectural excellence from Norman times up to the present, including the beautifully restored Shrine of St Thomas of Hereford.

Shrewsbury Abbey has been home to local worship for over one thousand years, initially in a small Saxon church and subsequently in this great Benedictine Abbey Church of SS Peter and Paul which was founded by Roger de Montgomery, a relative of William the Conqueror in 1083. In 1283 the first English Parliament in which the Commons had a legal share took place in the Abbey Chapter House, and in 1398 Richard II summoned the Great Parliament in the Abbey.

North East England

Lindisfarne (www.lindisfarne.org.uk/), or Holy Island, is of international importance in the Christian faith. Its priory was home to St. Cuthbert (whose remains are now housed in Durham Cathedral) and also where the world-famous Lindisfarne Gospels were written soon after his death. Cuthbert’s best-known protégé was the Venerable Bede, whose life and times are commemorated, complete with re-created Anglo-Saxon farm, at Bede’s World in Jarrow. Famously described by Bill Bryson as ‘the best cathedral on Planet Earth’, Durham Cathedral (www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/) is the largest and finest example of Norman architecture in England.

South West

No stranger to legend, the ancient market town of Glastonbury is believed to be Avalon, the mystical land of the dead where King Arthur waits to rule again.  The earthy grave lies amidst the glorious ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and in the shadow of the town's enigmatic Tor – home of the Lord of the Underworld.

More info on the South West (www.visitsouthwestengland.com/)

Yorkshire

Fountains Abbey (www.fountainsabbey.org.uk/) is an unforgettable attraction. This World Heritage Site features elegant ornamental lakes and dramatic remains of a Cistercian Abbey. In 1132, thirteen monks came to this secluded valley to start a new religious life. Over the next 400 years the abbey became one of the richest in Europe. There are other World Heritage Sites and world famous attractions that draw visitors from distant countries such as the gothic grandeur of the York Minster (www.yorkminster.org/) and the brooding atmosphere of Whitby.

As you arrive in Whitby the first thing you’ll notice is the skyline dominated by the ruins of Saint Hilda’s Abbey, high on the East Cliff. Below the abbey you’ll find a maze of streets and tiny alleyways leading down to the Quayside. For those of you wanting the best view of Whitby why not climb the 199 steps at the foot of the Abbey and explore the East cliff properly. The steps not only lead to Whitby’s ruined abbey but also to the parish church of St. Mary, one of the finest examples of Anglo Saxon churches in the country, and whose churchyard gave Bram Stoker the inspiration to write his world famous book, Dracula.