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 recently visited Beverley Minster for the first time, despite the fact that it's not that far from where I live. I went with a friend and after we'd been there about ten minutes we both turned to one another and exclaimed 'this place is so friendly!'

Not the people, although everyone we met there was lovely, but the atmosphere. No idea what it was about the place, it just felt domestic and nice.

But for impressive I always go for Durham, but that's because, despite being a lifelong atheist, I have a bit of a 'thing' for the Venerable Bede.

It has to be Wells, nothing can beat the view of the sunlit west front. St Magnus in Kirkwall is pretty impressive as well.

Agreed that Hope Street bookended by two such different but equally majestic cathedrals is a magical place!

Enjoying the love for Wells.

One of the things that makes it special is the location - on the edge of the (very small) city rather than in the middle of it. The view of the west front is spectacular, particularly because the building itself is so impressive but also because of all the grass leading up to it. There are also great views from the other side, with the pool in the bishop’s palace garden in the foreground.

Inside you have the chapter house, and the steps leading up to it, the clock, and the scissor arches which look modern to my eyes but which have been there for hundreds of years. Vicars Close is also very special.

Top of my “must see” list are Lincoln and Ely.

I love York, one of mine went to uni there and their graduation ceremony was in York Minster.

Yes, lots of justifiable love for Wells.

We had a caravan holiday in Somerset a few years ago and went to Glastonbury. What a disappointment. Tacky crystal shops. Left and went over to Wells, and wow! Bishop’s palace and amazing Cathedral. Lovely town, too.

I hadn't realised just how many cathedrals, abbeys and lovely churches I have visited until this thread. I don't think I have been in any I didn't like.

There are some on here I haven't seen and would love to visit now.

I just want to put this in as one of the loveliest stained glass church windows I have seen in recent years.

It is a commemorative stained glass window honouring the 26 children who died in the 1838 Huskar Pit disaster.

Definitely Durham, perfect setting, wonderful cathedral

I'm so pleased to have found this thread! I am not at all religious but I love a cathedral, abbey or church and make a point of visiting if I'm in the area. I think my favourite so far is Carlisle cathedral - I can't explain why but it made me very emotional. Also agree that Durham is spectacular and St Albans is fabulous. I was unimpressed by Tewkesbury Abbey but that might just be because I arrived at the same time as a coach load of very loud tourists.

The view of Wells Cathedral’s West Front as you walk from the Market Place through Penniless Porch is beautiful and awe inspiring😍
I was born and grew up in Wells, saw St Andrews cathedral every day walking to school/shops and took it completely for granted.
I used to sometimes sit and do my homework in the Chapter House, the peace and tranquility was a refuge. The steps leading up to it are worn on one side, which never bothered me when I was young and ran up them but now I see a “possible A&E visit” beckoning😂

I went to Surrey Uni so it has a place in my heart. I was right next to it in my halls of residence. And obvs it's role in The Omen film. 🤭

@Crumbelina It has supberb kneelers. They are all the same design - light blue and cream but have all sorts of designs stitched into them depicting features of life from the 1930s to the 1960s. A needlework guild was set up by the wife of the architect and every one has its own catalogued design. They are well worth a look.

Here’s a few kneelers.

@WorthyOpalZebraTewkesbury is great. More of my favourite Thomas Denny windows - go and have another look if you can.

I don't see the instruments; did you attach them? They sound wonderful.

I’d love to see these too!

Lots of great ones but love Durham (another uni parent), Winchester (fantastic roof tour) and Salisbury. St Albans is local to us so has a special place anyway but it’s so interesting, rather than classically beautiful. I was fascinated by Lincoln’s gargoyles as a child.

Having just visited Southwell on Sunday, I'm definitely adding it to my favourites York (it's sister Minster) and Lincoln, both with strong family connections and memories.

Ely and Hereford (for the Mapa Mundi and the chained library) are two of my favourites. Salisbury also good.

Putting in a word for Blackburn. It was built in the nineteenth century so it's relatively modern. It's not as spectacular as the more ancient, better known ones but I think it's a beautiful ,simple and calm space.

Out of those I have visited, I’d have to say Wells. The Chapter House and steps are truly stunning. Vicar’s close is also picturesque.

Hereford has a lovely cathedral. The chained library, the medieval crypt, The Lady Chapel and tower are wonderful to see.

Not a cathedral but the Church of St Melangell, though tiny, is the most beautiful place. There is such a strong feeling there. It's the church built for the girl and the hare.
https://stmelangell.org/saint-melangell/

Norwich, I was a student at UEA many years ago and it has a special.place in my heart

Not been to Blackburn but I feel similar about Sheffield and Wakefield.