Evensong in Cotswolds
 

We understand evensong in one of the large cathedrals is a musical experience not to be missed. We will be staying in Stratford-Upon-Avon in mid-August as a base for touring the Cotswolds. Any suggestions for a church with a particularly wonderful service?

Most of the Cotswold town churches have evensong - but they are often really small events with just a handful of parishoners in attendance..<BR><BR>if you want a Cathedral-type experience you could go to Worcester or Gloucester. Other good choices are St Mary's in Warwick and St Mary's or Christ Church in Oxford.

Not the same thing as hearing it in church I know, and Kathy may already know this, but you can hear it over the Internet at www.bbc.co.uk/radio3 at 4pm (UK time) on Wednesdays - if you download Realplayer<BR><BR>see http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/choral.shtml

It is a bit of a drive from Stratford, but Evensong at Wells Cathedral is magnificent! Last June we heard it on a Sunday afternoon and felt the choir there was better than what we heard at St. Paul's in London. Besides, the cathedral itself is something to see and it has the second oldest (or is it the OLDEST?) working mechanical clock in the world. Anyway, it was the second time we had seen the cathedral and felt it was worth seeing again, so would recommend it if you are as close as Stratford.

Just don't ride your bicycle. Cost me an election.

Tewkesbury Abbey is not too far from Stratford-upon-Avon and the Evensong service is most impressive, just like the building.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie.

I have been to masses at Winchester and Salisbury, both of which were spectacular (Sunday high mass and evensong at both) The choirs were awe-inspiring (the Cathedral school choirs are usually not at the masses in the summer when school is out). The same can be said for Trinity Church at Oxford; given the choice, I would opt for Salisbury<BR><BR>Hope this helps

I am going to england in sept.will be staying in Herefore for 1 week, have a car. Is evening song just on sundays or is it other days of the week? How do you find out when cathedrals have it.Will be in Bath fri then off to Hereford sat. Any suggestions where to go?

The frequency of Choral Evensong varies. In all cathedrals there is one on Sunday, usually around 3 to 4 pm with sermon. There may be during the week as well, usually around 5-6 pm, almost every day in largest cathedrals (eg York, Canterbury, St Paul's), less frequently in others. There will be fewer sung services during school holidays, esp August, and a couple of weeks after Christmas and Easter. When the regular choir is on holiday, you often get visiting choirs from parishes and colleges. Most cathedrals have web pages nowadays, with listing for services. Check through Google or Church of England official website www.cofe.anglican.org<BR>Some parish churches also have presence on the net, often linked to official site. For Cotswold churches, try the Diocese of Oxford site www.oxford.anglican.org and Diocese of Gloucester www.glosdioc.org.uk

Bath Abbey has evensong most Fridays at 5.15 pm, see http://www.bathabbey.org/worship.htm