Free events at our cathedrals celebrate history, craftsmanship and community
English Cathedrals are taking part in this year’s Heritage Open Days, the country’s largest festival of history and culture, with free events running throughout this week designed to bring hidden stories, historic spaces and local heritage to life for visitors of all ages.
Now in its latest edition, Heritage Open Days sees thousands of volunteers and organisations nationwide open their doors for ten days each September, offering free access to places and experiences not normally available to the public.
Cathedrals up and down the country are once again playing a central role in the festival. Here are just a few examples.
Sheffield Cathedral will welcome families with a full day of free activities, including a mythical beast trail in search of a hidden gargoyle and the building’s own carved unicorn, alongside a children’s crafting table, dressing-up vestments, and a magnetic-tile cathedral-building challenge. Visitors can also enjoy a display of Sheffield Morris Dancing from 11am, with the Cathedral café and gift shop open throughout the day.
Canterbury Cathedral is offering visitors the chance to explore its monastic past through guided tours of the Precincts, taking in the Herbarium, Water Tower, Great Cloister and Chapter House once used by the Benedictine monks of Christ Church Priory. An accompanying exhibition in the Cathedral Archives explores the history of gardening in Britain and the tending of the site’s gardens through the centuries, while a separate tour follows a monk’s daily routine from dawn to nightfall under the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Blackburn Cathedral will give visitors an insight into the art of bellringing, with timed 45-minute sessions exploring the history of the Norman Tower and its bells, including live demonstrations and the chance for visitors to try bellringing for themselves.
Portsmouth Cathedral, whose history dates back to the 12th century, is offering a selection of specialist tours free of charge, exploring the lives of local people who would have worshipped there across the centuries, including those commemorated within its walls.
Newcastle Cathedral invites visitors on a mini-tour of its historic churchyard, delving into local legend and history — from tales of a disapproving royal visit to the mystery of the Cathedral’s carved “Vampire Rabbit,” and rumours that a pirate lies buried in the grounds.
Elsewhere, Derby Cathedral Choir will perform a special afternoon of music at Cromford Mills, culminating in a service of Evensong at St Mary’s Church.
Come along to hear stories from people connected to Coventry Cathedral, including artists, researchers, congregation members and more to learn about its treasures. Coventry Cathedral also has a unique exhibition of Basil Spence’s modernist cathedral design, unveiled 75 years ago.
All events are free to attend, though many cathedrals are welcoming donations to support the ongoing care of their historic buildings and community work.
Heritage Open Days 11-20 September – A full list of participating cathedrals and events can be found here.
