About
From Benedictine monks and royalty to film crews and medieval pilgrims, Gloucester Cathedral has welcomed many different visitors over its 900 years. Our expert guides will lead you around the building, sharing stories about the people and architecture which make the Cathedral what it is today. This visit includes a tour of the hidden subterranean level of the Cathedral, the crypt. Finished between 1089 and 1100, this where you will find remains of the earliest parts of the building.
Cathedral Highlights tour:
- In the Beginning… all tours start in the Nave, the main body of the Cathedral. With its grand Norman pillars and views up to the beautiful Cathedral Organ, this is the perfect place to set the scene of the visit.
- Heaven on Earth. The Quire is the most richly decorated part of the Cathedral. Here, visitors will see the Great East Window and at time of building in 1350, the largest window in the world. This is also a great place to see how the architecture of the Cathedral changed between 1089 and 1350.
- The Murdered Monarch. King Edward II was buried at Gloucester Cathedral in 1327 after meeting a mysterious end at Berkeley Castle. This magnificent tomb was the reason Henry VIII saved the Abbey from destruction during the reformation of 1540.
- A Glittering Jewel. The building of the Lady Chapel began in 1465. It is home to some of the Cathedral’s finest stained glass.
- Follow in the Monks’ Footsteps. The Monks’ daily life revolved around this world famous Cloister. Marvel at the beautiful fan vaulting and discover the monks’ communal washing area known as the Lavatorium. The Cloister appeared as part of Hogwarts School on three of the Harry Potter films.
Crypt tour:
Descend the steps from the South Transept to discover the hidden subterranean level of the Cathedral. This is where you’ll find remains of the very earliest parts of the building. On this tour, explore the passages and side chapels used by monks when the Cathedral was the Abbey of St Peter as well as the chamber where bones were stored. You can also see where the filming of the BBC’s Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Visitors will also receive a complimentary souvenir walk around guide to the Cathedral.
Booking
Guide price: £12.50 per person.
Duration: 1.5 hours. Shorter experiences are available, please enquire for more information.
Capacity: Minimum of 4 people and no maximum group size, but larger groups will be divided into 15 people per guide.
Opening: The Cathedral is open to visitors 365 days a year. No tours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday or Easter Sunday. The Cathedral does occasionally close for special services or events.
Booking: At least two weeks’ notice required. To book please contact the trade contact below.
Facilities
Language: English only. Guests will need an intermediate level of English to fully appreciate the experience.
Parking: There is only parking available for people with blue badges. There are 8 spaces, available on a first come first served basis. Coach parking should be arranged through Gloucester City Council.
Accessibility: The main Cathedral tour has level access and a hearing loop throughout. There are approximately eight steps down to the Crypt. There is a handrail for these steps. The experience will require the group to stand or walk for an hour and a half so they will need to be reasonably fit. Due to the historic nature of the building, there is uneven floor throughout the Cathedral and the Crypt, and there is low lighting in the Crypt.
Special requirements: It is often much colder in the Crypt than the rest of the Cathedral so please bring extra layers in winter months.
Weather: This experience can run throughout the year regardless of weather. However, if there is extreme weather we may have to cancel the visit if it is not safe for the guide to get to the Cathedral.
Trade Contact
Hazel Tanner
visits@gloucestercathedral.org.uk
01452 508210
Please also note that Gloucester Cathedral reserves the right to cancel your booking (or any part thereof) if: In the opinion of Gloucester Cathedral, the client has requested a significant change of the Contract or Service; or In the opinion of Gloucester Cathedral, the event might prejudice the reputation of Gloucester Cathedral; or Gloucester Cathedral is requested to cancel the event by order of any government or other public authority; or Gloucester Cathedral is forced to cancel the event due to a major national incident.
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