the best cathedral
 

Which, in your opinion, is the best cathedral in the UK? And why?

It's a tie between Salisbury, Winchester, York, Durham, and St Paul's.<BR><BR>To me, Salisbury is the most beautiful, with its spire and water meadows. It also has the most coherent design, having been built in a surprisingly short time.<BR><BR>Winchester has the most interesting interior, spanning several centuries and nearly the entire spectrum of English architecture.<BR><BR>York is just BIG, with impressive stained glass.<BR><BR>Durham has the most scenic location.<BR><BR>St Paul's is my favorite place for Evensong, and is for me THE icon of London.<BR><BR>Ely, Lincoln and St Andrew's very nearly make the cut also.

Well I vote for Gloucester. It has the lovely tomb of Edward II and is probably the best cathedral visit in England. Not only is it free but also the entire cathedral is open to visitors and one can climb into the higher levels and look down on the nave. The whole structure of the cathedral is there.<BR><BR>But for history and grandeur it must be St. Paul’s! <BR><BR>

I can't give you one answer, and I am a cathderal person, with not many more to visit. I agree, York and Canterbury are very large, but nothing outstanding in beauty.<BR>I think we all might favor one, because of a positive experience there. i.e. Evensong, holiday visit, special occasion, or event in history.<BR><BR>My favorites are.....Wells, Lincoln, <BR>Ely,(round tower)... Durham (very ancient looking) Thought not a cathedral, Kings College, Cambridge. In London StPaul's quire and alter are magnificent. Westminster Abbey, when ready for a special service, can't be beat! It's a church of history like no other.<BR>I hope to visit the largest, Liverpool, in May.

I thought the whole Glastonbury-Wells experience was unforgettable, Cathedral and town. Definitely a piece of history. However we did TRULY stay in a haunted hotel that was built around 1400. There is a touch of magic in the air around there. It is disconnected from time and space. Check it out. PS The most impressive cathedral in Europe is definitely the Cologne cathedral, ie. Kolner Dom, not least of which in addition to its massive size, it was rebuilt after WWII. The most important is the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. When things settle down in the Holy Land, a visit there will shake you to your bones. You can actually stand on the place where the manager of Jesus stood.

Another vote for Wells....from an architectural standpoint alone, the unique scissors arch in this cathedral is amazing. <BR><BR>The Vicar's Close, next to the cathedral, is also worth a look.<BR><BR>In addition, visitors can search out the numerous misericords with their quirky wood carvings.<BR><BR>for info on Wells cathedral:<BR><BR> http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/<BR><BR><BR>David White<BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com<BR>

Wells, St Paul's, Durham, Canterbury, York and Dornoch.<BR><BR>the first 5 have been explained - Dornoch is a lovely small cathedral in the north of Scotland.

In my opinion, it's a toss up between St. Pauls & Salsbury.

Gloucester, York, Salisbury, Canterbury and a little tiny church in the borders between Wales and England that had beautiful angels carved and painted on the ceiling. I recall it was the burial place of John Yale, founder of the American university. Anyone know what it was? Oh---don't forget Durham and Assisi.

Not quite cathedrals, but Beverly Minster and St. Mary's Beverly are both worth exploring. The minster has wonderful carvings particularly in the highgate porch and reredos, a magnificent organ, the glorious Percy tomb, and a fine collection of carved angels playing musical instruments. St. Mary's Beverly was an offshoot of the Minster. It is best known for its collection of 14th Century misericords, its minstrels' pillar, and a carving of the Pilgrim Rabbit which is believed to have inspired the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland.<BR><BR>Among the actual cathedrals, I have a great fondness for York because it never forgets it's a church and St. Paul's in London for a million reasons.

Elihu (not John) Yale, one of the founders of Yale University, is buried in the churchyard of St Giles, the main church in Wrexham, North Wales. The epitaph contains the words: <BR>Born in America, in Europe bred,<BR>In Africa travell'd, and in Asia wed,<BR>Where long he lov'd and thriv'd;<BR>At London dead.<BR>

I haven't seen many in England but Wells is fantastic. Outside of the UK, Toledo in Spain is absolutely breath taking.

Hi Krishnan,<BR>I have pulled to the top a thread called "You pick: Greatest Cathedrals in Europe". It´s one of the best threads in Fodors, and you might find it interesting.<BR>Rgds

I don't think I have been disappointed by any cathedral I have seen in England. Wells is impressive. We attended Evensong there and found the music more beautiful than that at St. Paul's. However, St.Paul's is amazingly beautiful, especially the ceiling. And there is a stained glass window memorial to American service men, with each state represented. Very moving. I am Episcopalian, so I had to see Canterbury, and it too is breathtaking --- and the Becket shrine is not to be missed. York Minster is huge and beautiful and not crowded when we were there at the end of the day. Salisbury is the first cathedral I saw in England and I have returned to it. Amazing to see a copy of the Magna Carta there.

Shelley - I don't understand the "I am Episcopalian, so I had to see Canterbury" statement. All of the cathedrals you mention (including Canterbury) are Anglican (Episcopal). Why particularly Canterbury - because of Becket or ???

Janis,<BR>I realize all the cathdrals I mentioned are Anglican and that they were Catholic at the time of Becket. My point is that the Archibishop of Canterbury is the leader of the Anglican church and that Canturbury is his cathedral. My husband took a picture of me at the front door of the cathedral and its caption in our photo album is "Shelley at Mecca".