Lichfield Cathedral has reopened its central spire and reinstated its tower tours six years after Storm Desmond damaged its central spire and forced it to close the tower and spire off to the public.
Lichfield Cathedral’s Tower Tours re-open for summer
For the first time since 2018, visitors will be allowed to climb the winding spiral staircases and follow hidden passageways to climb to the top of the central tower, the base of the iconic Central Spire.
Not only will visitors get the best view of Lichfield and the surrounding areas in all directions from the top of the tower, they will also be able to experience the newly renovated Tower Room.
Work undertaken by Creative Core has seen the Tower Room space transformed into an interactive exhibition featuring projections, lighting, tactile objects and soundscapes that allow visitors to explore the heritage and significance of Lichfield Cathedral.
Simon Warburton, Executive Director of Lichfield Cathedral said:
“After months of careful restoration of the stone work and the installation of a new exciting visitor experience in the spire chamber, we are finally ready to welcome visitors back. There is no better way to see the city and beyond.”
The cathedral has launched new tours, a tower room experience and is hosting a special exhibition telling the story of its iconic central spire and the successful fundraising campaign and restoration work that allowed it to reopen to the public once more.
And one of the first visitors to check it out was Lichfield’s local ITV crew who sent up their weather reporter to announce the local weather from the top of the tower!
For those who don’t want to climb the tower, The Story of A Spire – Exhibition can be found in the Chapter House. It reveals stories across the ages of people who built and restored the Cathedral, and how the spire has endured storms, sieges and complete collapse in its 700-year history and is open from 16 July – 31 August 2024.
