12 College Green, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, Tel: +44 01452528095
This has been a place of Christian worship continuously for over 1300 years, since Osric, an Anglo-Saxon prince, founded a religious house here in 678-9 AD. Little is known for certain about the communities which worshiped here or the buildings they used over the next 400 years although it is believed that the Benedictine Rule was introduced here early in the 11th century. A record of the building fabric is made before and during stonework conservation, detailing the information that repair works uncover about building history and early building techniques.
Visits and Events: You are most welcome to visit the Cathedral, either to attend a service and to hear our wonderful choir, or to attend any of our events or concerts. Or you are welcome to come and visit and experience the architecture of the building. We have a gift shop and a coffee shop where you can buy a souvenir or relax. The Cathedral hosts special events of all sorts from time to time, including concerts, lectures, talks, and fun things for all the family and we hope to be able to welcome you to some of them.
Guided Tours: The cathedral guides offer full or partial guided tours which they will tailor to suit your interests and the time you have available. They can take you into the Crypt, lead you on an architectural tour or show you where Harry Potter was filmed! Just ask.
Tower Tours: Are you reasonably fit? Can you climb 269 steps up and 269 down again? Are you over six years old? If so, join one of our Tower Tours and enjoy the view from the roof - on a clear day you can see forty miles across the countryside.
Exhibition and Whispering Gallery: Get up close to the Great East Window with our Face to Face exhibition! The exhibition is located in the tribune gallery and shows you how and why the window was made and explains how this amazing medieval work of art managed to survive for 650 years. Walking around the gallery enables you to view the window much closer than you can from the ground, and also lets you experience the Whispering Gallery which is great fun for children and adults alike.
Treasury: This is a fascinating exhibition of Church Plate from the cathedral and other Gloucestershire churches. It includes a display of communion vessels used in the cathedral after the restoration of the monarchy in the 1660s.
Herb Garden: The enclosed garden in front of Little Cloister House has four themed beds: Culinary, Medicinal, Dying and Fumigating, Strewing and Cosmetic. Simple display boards inform visitors about the placement and functions of the herbs. Some sensory herbs, such as lemon balm, chives and mint, are grown in pots to enable children to pick, draw and smell them at close quarters. Many nurseries and garden centres gave plants for the garden, plus individual gifts. Volunteers are continuing to keep the garden well tended throughout the year. Many schools have used and enjoyed the garden and it has brought another dimension to adults and children who visit the cathedral.
Facilities: The cathedral coffee shop is open every day. We serve teas and coffees, delicious soup and hot cornish pasties, and a selection of fresh sandwiches and yummy cakes - The Cathedral has its own gift shop, situated at the West End of the Nave.
Disabled access: Wheelchairs are available for use in the building -
Wheelchair lifts are located in the North Transept and South Ambulatory, please ask for the key and instructions at the Cathedral Shop. - There is a "touch and hear" centre to introduce the building to visually impaired visitors. We can also provide audio guides, large print and Braille guides. - There is a toilet suitable for disabled visitors. - A loop system operates during services. - To visit the Treasury please ask a Cathedral Guide. - A leaflet designed to help visitors with disabilities to make the most of their visit, is available at the Information Desk.
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