What is your favourite UK Cathedral (or Minster/Abbey)?

[Littledidsheknow]

The companion thread to my “favourite castles”thread!
Which is your favourite UK cathedral?
I love side chapels, bell towers, stained glass, cloisters, burial places, flying buttresses, crypts, interesting history… all the classic stuff!

I’ve particularly enjoyed Lincoln, York Minster, Winchester, Wells and Salisbury in recent years.
I used to live in Worcester, and enjoyed popping in there after a bit of shopping, too.

Please recommend your favourites! Thanks!

I think Rochester is more like a very large church , rather than a grand building. It’s lovely, and worth visiting, but doesn’t quite have the wow factor of these other places.

(I know cathedrals are technically just very large churches, but I’m sure you know what I mean).

Lincoln wowed me but not been to any other northern ones.
I like Chi and Winchester but more the outside than the inside.

Gloucester

I have loads still to see, but so far Ely, if for nothing other than the flying angels in the ceiling.

No mentions yet for Norwich? It’s so beautiful, but the front entrance is not its best aspect. The cloisters are also particularly lovely. For me it’s up there with Durham and Winchester and Ely. I love cathedrals.

Durham. Always takes me back to my uni days and the luck of the draw living in a hill college with a cathedral view in the first year. Also a fan of Salisbury and York.

Currently spending most of my life in Lichfield cathedral as son is a chorister there.

York Minster

Also - Southwell, purely for the amazing carvings in the chapter house

They are breathtaking, aren’t they?

oooh going up into the spire of Salisbury is incredible!

cross post - I'd forgotten the rest of those things at Southwell - want to go back now :)

Chichester!

I’m very fond of Chichester cathedral in West Sussex. Not huge but beautiful cloisters and some interesting bits of artwork inside. It’s a warm friendly welcoming place.

Durham and Salisbury for me. Recently enjoyed a visit to Gloucester, too.

Durham.

How could I have forgotten Ely - the lantern! the amazing view of it floating over the fens as you approach!

Recently visited Norwich Cathedral and loved it. Happened to join a free guided tour with an excellent guide. Real 'Pillars of the Earth' vibes.

Worcester for me. They really are all beautiful though.

That is exactly what I thought. And I asked someone at Chatham "what is that church over there?" and it was the cathedral, not a normal church. It just didn't look imposing and cathedrally.

Lichfield!
Gothic.
Only one in the country with 3 sources I believe.

I used to live in St Albans and the cathedral there really is stunning. It's so old and you can see the different ages in its construction either as extensions or repairs - the outer walls are largely built of flint and tiles scavenged from the Roman city of Verulamium at the bottom of the hill. That being said I also have a real soft spot for Exeter and Canterbury cathedrals too.

Ripon Cathedral is also beautiful and rarely spoken of

Durham and Canterbury (had my graduation there). I also love Hexham Abbey which although not huge is lovely. DD was thrilled when she got to ring the bells there on a school trip.

It is utterly jaw-dropping.