Chester Cathedral, Chester (must see)
Chester Cathedral is a prominent Church of England cathedral and the mother church of the Diocese of Chester, located in the historic city of Chester. Originally the abbey church of a Benedictine monastery dedicated to Saint Werburgh, the cathedral is now dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since 1541, it has served as the seat of the Bishop of Chester.
The cathedral is a Grade I listed building, renowned for its architectural significance. Construction spans several centuries, from the 10th to the early 16th century, showcasing a rich blend of Norman to Perpendicular English medieval styles. The site itself holds historical depth, with evidence suggesting Christian worship dating back to Roman times, possibly as a basilica under Legio XX Valeria Victrix during Chester’s era as a Roman stronghold.
The cathedral follows a traditional east-west cruciform layout, with an asymmetrical design reflecting its extensive history of modifications. A central tower rises above the crossing, while the west façade features contrasting towers from the Norman period and the early 16th century. The nave and choir are flanked by wide aisles, illuminated by clerestory and multi-light windows. The eastern end features an apse, a departure from the original symmetrical aisle arrangement.
To the north lie monastic buildings, including a cloister, refectory, and chapter house, which are also Grade I listed. These spaces reflect the cathedral’s monastic origins, providing insight into medieval ecclesiastical life.
The cathedral's storied past includes its role as a minster founded or refounded in 907, likely by Lady of the Mercians, to house the relics of Saint Werburgh. During the Middle Ages, it also became a site of veneration for Saint Barloc of Norbury. In 1057, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and Lady Godiva restored the collegiate church before it was replaced by the current structure around 1090.
Chester Cathedral underwent extensive restoration in the 19th century, which included some controversial changes. A free-standing bell tower, a 20th-century addition, complements the historical architecture.
Today, Chester Cathedral is a hub of spiritual, cultural, and tourist activity. It hosts regular services, concerts, and exhibitions, attracting visitors from around the globe. The site is a living testament to Chester’s Roman, Saxon, and medieval heritage, making it a cornerstone of the city’s historical and architectural identity.
Why You Should Visit:
- To see one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chester
- To explore the beauty of medieval architecture
Tips:
The cafe and gift shop are open from 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 PM on Sundays. Visitors who wish to tour the interior of the cathedral must make advance arrangements for a 60-minute ground floor tour or a half-hour tour that ends with views from the cathedral's tower.
The cathedral is a Grade I listed building, renowned for its architectural significance. Construction spans several centuries, from the 10th to the early 16th century, showcasing a rich blend of Norman to Perpendicular English medieval styles. The site itself holds historical depth, with evidence suggesting Christian worship dating back to Roman times, possibly as a basilica under Legio XX Valeria Victrix during Chester’s era as a Roman stronghold.
The cathedral follows a traditional east-west cruciform layout, with an asymmetrical design reflecting its extensive history of modifications. A central tower rises above the crossing, while the west façade features contrasting towers from the Norman period and the early 16th century. The nave and choir are flanked by wide aisles, illuminated by clerestory and multi-light windows. The eastern end features an apse, a departure from the original symmetrical aisle arrangement.
To the north lie monastic buildings, including a cloister, refectory, and chapter house, which are also Grade I listed. These spaces reflect the cathedral’s monastic origins, providing insight into medieval ecclesiastical life.
The cathedral's storied past includes its role as a minster founded or refounded in 907, likely by Lady of the Mercians, to house the relics of Saint Werburgh. During the Middle Ages, it also became a site of veneration for Saint Barloc of Norbury. In 1057, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and Lady Godiva restored the collegiate church before it was replaced by the current structure around 1090.
Chester Cathedral underwent extensive restoration in the 19th century, which included some controversial changes. A free-standing bell tower, a 20th-century addition, complements the historical architecture.
Today, Chester Cathedral is a hub of spiritual, cultural, and tourist activity. It hosts regular services, concerts, and exhibitions, attracting visitors from around the globe. The site is a living testament to Chester’s Roman, Saxon, and medieval heritage, making it a cornerstone of the city’s historical and architectural identity.
Why You Should Visit:
- To see one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chester
- To explore the beauty of medieval architecture
Tips:
The cafe and gift shop are open from 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 PM on Sundays. Visitors who wish to tour the interior of the cathedral must make advance arrangements for a 60-minute ground floor tour or a half-hour tour that ends with views from the cathedral's tower.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Chester Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: Chester Cathedral
Sight Location: Chester, England (See walking tours in Chester)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chester, England (See walking tours in Chester)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Chester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chester Introduction Walking Tour
Chester is a walled city in Cheshire. It was originally founded in 79 AD as a Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix. It was garrisoned until the 4th century when it was abandoned by the Romans. It is thought that the area was settled by Anglo-Saxons during medieval times. It was also briefly occupied by the Danes.
Chester was very important during the Industrial Revolution. This is largely due... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chester was very important during the Industrial Revolution. This is largely due... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chester's City Walls
Chester City Walls are the oldest, longest and most complete (missing only just about 100 meters) historic defensive structure in Britain. Walking the full circuit of this ancient fortification provides wondrous views, wherever you choose to go, down into the city, and offers a fantastic insight into Chester's rich history.
First built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, the Walls were... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
First built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, the Walls were... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Chester's Black-and-white Architecture Tour
While the origins of Chester date back to Roman Times, much of the city center, and by far the greatest part of it, looks medieval. Indeed, if you visit the city, the first thing you notice is the magnificent black-and-white architecture. Despite their appearance, however, the majority of these buildings are Victorian by the time of construction.
The Black-and-White Revival was an architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Black-and-White Revival was an architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles