About

Gloucester Cathedral is an extraordinary building with many treasures that are of national significance.

With centuries of craftsmanship on display, the architecture, stained glass and artefacts are some of the best examples of their kind in the country.  The Romanesque Abbey

Built by Abbot Serlo, the foundation stone was laid in 1089. The eastern arm was ready for dedication in 1100 and the Nave was completed c.1130.

Although all periods of medieval church architecture are represented at Gloucester Cathedral, its two main building phases – Romanesque and Perpendicular, are of outstanding interest and importance.

Nave

The majority of the Nave is Norman, with large round pillars either side of the central space.  The very west end is of perpendicular style.  The Nave vaulting of 1242 is in the Early English style.

Cloister

Gloucester’s great Cloister is famous for its magnificent fan vaulting, which is believed to be the earliest example in England.

Originally built to house the monks, it provided space for them to live, work and meditate. In many abbeys, the cloisters were traditionally built on the south side, but at Gloucester, it unusually lies on the north.

Begun in the late 14th century and finished by Abbot Froucester before 1412, it replaced an earlier Norman cloister.

The design itself incorporates a row of twenty carrels (niche like spaces), which would have originally houses desks for the monks to study. The Cloister also includes a lavatorium, (washing place) which would have made use of a local stream.

Photo Credit to Gloucester Cathedral