10 Best Beautiful Cathedrals To Visit In England

England boasts 42 cathedrals of varied architecture, with some of the finest attracting millions of visitors each year. Not just a place of worship, their architectural styles document centuries of evolving history. 

Two such structures, Canterbury Cathedral and Durham Cathedral, have been designated as World Heritage Sites.

If you’re visiting England and want to explore the heritage of this ancient landscape, there’s no better place than its treasure trove of castles, ornate palaces, and centers of worship.

What Are Cathedrals?

England has over 16,000 churches, but what defines a cathedral isn’t its size or design—it’s the presence of a cathedra, or bishop’s seat. Bishops oversee regions, not individual cathedrals, so most areas have just one. Liverpool is a rare exception, with two.

Churches can be elevated to cathedral status, while cathedrals can lose it if a bishop leaves. Westminster Abbey, for instance, lost its cathedral status in 1560 and became a “Royal Peculiar,” serving the monarch directly.

Most cathedrals were built east to west. They feature high ceilings, long naves, and detailed architecture, including stained glass, carvings, and ornate vaults. It’s astounding they were built without modern tools.

Much of their beauty, once hidden by candlelight, can now be fully appreciated. Here are ten of England’s most stunning cathedrals—listed in no particular order.

1. Gloucester Cathedral

• Location: 12 College Green, Gloucester | Open: Mon to Sat 10 am to 5 pm, Sun 12 pm to 5 pm

Gloucester Cathedral dates back to the 670s, although the current structure was begun under Abbot Serlo in the late 11th century. Originally founded as an abbey, it was elevated to cathedral status following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in 1540.

Over the centuries, it has undergone several restorations, including the recent installation of solar panels, which has helped reduce energy costs by 25%. Admission is complimentary, though donations help support its upkeep.

The cathedral is especially famous for its cloisters, considered England’s finest. Their intricate fan-vaulted ceilings and stained-glass reflections on Cotswold stone make them a magnet for photographers—and Harry Potter fans, as the cloisters were used as a filming location.

Gloucester Cathedral hosted the coronation of Henry III in 1216 and holds the tombs of Edward II, Robert Curthose (eldest son of William the Conqueror), and several Bishops of Gloucester. Highlights include the Great East Window, the stunning Gothic ceiling, and the Lady Chapel.

I particularly liked the latter. When sunlight streamed through the stained-glass window, it danced across the beautiful Coldswold stone, which came from nearby Cotswold villages.

Consider combining your tour of the cathedral with a visit to Sudeley Castle and Gardens. Located in the town of Winchcombe, it’s just 18 miles northeast of Gloucester.

2. Canterbury Cathedral

• Location: Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury | Open: Mon to Sat 10 am to 4 pm, Sun 12:30 pm to 4 pm

Located in Kent, the “Garden of England,” Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most visited in England. Founded in 600 AD and built with French Caen stone, it is the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion. It also serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Unlike most cathedrals, it sits within a private precinct, requiring an entrance fee just to view its exterior. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts over a million visitors each year. Many come to see where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170 after a conflict with King Henry II.

The cathedral has over 1,400 years of history. Highlights include the Norman Crypt, the Martyrdom site in the Northwest Transept, the Southwest Porch, and a single candle marking Becket’s shrine. Following a fire in 1172, the cathedral was rebuilt, and Becket’s tomb became a major pilgrimage site.

Canterbury, Gloucester, Exeter and many other cathedrals can be found in picturesque England southern cities.

3. Wells Cathedral

• Location: Cathedral Green, Wells | Open: Mon to Sat 7 am to 4 pm, Sun 12 pm to 2 pm

Wells Cathedral was the first Gothic cathedral built in England. It’s located close to Weston-Super-Mare, one of England’s popular seaside towns. 

Its distinctive façade sets it apart from other buildings in the country. The 13th-century West Front is especially striking, covered in detailed medieval statues. Its box-like shape, lacking peaks or towers, gives it a unique appearance.

While many cathedrals feature ornate entrances, the decoration on Wells extends from the ground nearly to the roof, making the façade so grand it almost overshadows the doorway. Of the original 400 statues, around 300 remain, weathered by time.

Inside, the cathedral continues to impress. Its signature scissor arches drew our eyes upward. In the north transept, the 14th-century mechanical clock, believed to be the second-oldest astronomical clock in Europe, is a significant highlight.

The 13th-century Chapter House is another must-see. This octagonal room features a central column with 32 ribs fanning outward and downward, surrounded by stained-glass windows. At a lower level, carved stone heads with expressive faces decorate the ribbed intersections.

4. St. Paul’s Cathedral

• Location: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London | Open: Mon to Sat 12 pm to 4:30 pm, closed Sun

Built on Ludgate Hill, the highest point in London, St. Paul’s Cathedral is a prominent feature in the city’s skyline. Its iconic white dome, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1675, blends Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles.

The highlight for many visitors is climbing the 528 steps to the top of the dome, where sweeping views of both the cathedral interior and London await. Below, the Crypt houses the tombs of notable figures, including Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Wren himself.

Admission includes a 270-degree film on the cathedral’s history, covering everything from the Great Fire to the Blitz. St. Paul’s has hosted major national events.

These include the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981, as well as the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

5. Norwich Cathedral

• Location: 65 The Close, Norwich | Open: Daily 7:30 am to 6:30 pm | Cost: Free, but they appreciate donations

Norwich Cathedral dominates the skyline with England’s second-tallest spire, reaching 315 feet. Built on a grand scale, it boasts the country’s largest monastic cloisters, one of the biggest organs with 655 pipes, and the world’s largest collection of medieval roof bosses.

Founded in the 11th century by Herbert de Losinga, its first bishop, the cathedral was constructed in the Romanesque style and sits on 44 acres. Entry is free, though donations are welcome.

Inside, over 1,000 carved roof bosses decorate the vaulted ceilings. Each tells a biblical story with expressive faces, ranging from kings and popes to peasants and musicians.

Outside, a memorial honors Edith Cavell, a WWI nurse executed for helping over 200 Allied soldiers escape from Belgium. Her body was returned to England after the war and buried here.

In recent years, a pair of peregrine falcons have made the spire their home. Since 2009, a nesting platform, webcams, and an observation point have enabled visitors to observe the birds without disturbing them.

6. Salisbury Cathedral

• Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire | Open: Mon to Sat 10:30 am to 4 pm | Cost: GBP 9.00 for adults, GBP 6.00 for students (13-18 yrs.), and under 13 are free

While Norwich has the second-tallest spire, Salisbury Cathedral holds the record at 404 feet. Built on an 80-acre Cathedral Close, the current structure began in 1220, with its iconic octagonal spire added in the early 1300s.

Inside, visitors can view the best-preserved of the four surviving 1215 Magna Carta copies, recognized by UNESCO as a symbol of freedom and justice.

Salisbury is also home to the world’s oldest working clock, dating to 1386. Made of hand-wrought iron and striking only on the hour, it was fully restored in 1956 and is now displayed in the north nave aisle.

Like Norwich, Salisbury’s spire is home to a pair of peregrine falcons. Nesting each summer, the birds have become local celebrities, with their chicks named, tagged, and tracked by conservation teams—and even have a YouTube channel. 

7. Lincoln Cathedral

• Location: Minster Yard, Lincoln | Open: Mon to Sat 10 am to 4 pm, Sun 12 pm to 3 pm | Cost: GBP 9.00 adults, GBP 4:80 children (5-16 yrs.), and under 5 are free

Commissioned by William the Conqueror, Bishop Remigius de Fecamp started construction on Lincoln Cathedral Commissioned by William the Conqueror, construction of Lincoln Cathedral began in 1072 under Bishop Remigius de Fécamp. It was consecrated 20 years later, shortly after his death. Now the third-largest cathedral in England, it rivals smaller ones in detail and charm.

In 1311, Lincoln briefly held the title of the world’s tallest building with its 525-foot spire. It later collapsed in a storm in 1548. The cathedral has endured many disasters, including a fire in 1124, an earthquake in 1185, and a tower collapse in 1237.

One of its most famous features is the Lincoln Imp. This mischievous figure from legend is said to have been turned to stone by an angel. The imp still sits high on a column in the Angel Choir.

Notable stained-glass windows include the circular Dean’s Eye and Bishop’s Eye, stunning examples of Rose Windows. For an extra fee, visitors can take guided tours, including a 300-step climb to the central tower and a roof tour with panoramic city views.in 1072. Twenty years later, and after Remigius’ death, the building was consecrated. 

It’s the third-largest cathedral in England but does not lack the detail and charm of the smaller structures.

8. Winchester Cathedral

• Location: 9 The Cl, Winchester, Hampshire | Open: Mon to Sat 9 am to 5 pm, Sun 12 pm to 3 pm

Winchester Cathedral began as a modest church in 662 and has become one of the largest in Europe. Its original foundations still lie north of the current structure, built in the late 11th century. Due to marshy ground, the Crypt often floods.

In the late 1300s, Bishop Wykeham transformed the cathedral from Norman to Gothic style. Inside, we were struck by the scale. Winchester has the longest nave in Europe at 295 feet, with twelve bays. Though only 78 feet high, its spacious, cavernous feel is breathtaking.

The cathedral is also the burial place of novelist Jane Austen, whose memorial lies in the north nave.

Another treasure is the 800-year-old Winchester Bible, the largest and possibly finest 12th-century Bible in England. Spanning four richly illustrated volumes, it was begun in 1160 but never completed.

9. York Minster

• Location: Deangate, York | Open: Mon to Sat 10 am to 3:45 pm, Sun 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm

York Minster, officially known as the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter, is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Built between 1220 and 1472, it stands on a site where Christian worship has taken place since the 7th century.

During the Anglo-Saxon period, churches gained the title “Minster” if they were missionary teaching churches. Today, the York Cathedral still retains the honorary title.

The cathedral has survived a lightning strike and multiple fires. A significant incident in 1984 damaged the roof and the Rose Window, both of which were subsequently restored.

One of the highlights is the Great East Window, the largest medieval stained-glass window in England. In total, York Minster features 128 stained-glass windows, each crafted from over two million pieces of glass.

10. Ely Cathedral

• Location: Chapter House, The College, Ely | Open: Mon to Sat 10 am to 4 pm, Sun 1 pm to 3:30 pm

Nicknamed the “Ship of the Fens,” Ely Cathedral sits high above the surrounding landscape and never fails to impress. Founded as a monastery in 673 by Etheldreda, it was elevated to a cathedral in 1109 under the leadership of Abbot Simeon.

Ely’s most famous feature is its unique octagonal lantern tower, built of wood and painted in rich jewel tones. Another highlight is the Lady Chapel, the largest in England. Although much of its original decoration was destroyed during the Reformation, its beauty remains captivating.

Visitors can climb 170 steps to enjoy sweeping views from the tower. Inside, the nave features painted ceiling panels showing scenes from Creation to Christ in glory. These vivid paintings contrast with the stone ribs and carved bosses seen in other cathedrals.

Final Thoughts

England is home to many stunning cathedrals and medieval landmarks, but maintaining these historic sites comes at a high cost. Without entrance fees and donations, these medieval cathedrals and castles become abandoned ruins. 

Even when there’s no entrance fee, consider donating to help preserve them for future generations. Without support, these remarkable buildings risk falling into ruin.

Whether you’re drawn to Wells for its striking scissor arches, Ely for its unique lantern tower, or Salisbury for its soaring spire, each cathedral offers something special. The remaining 32 cathedrals are equally magnificent and well worth a visit.