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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
Facilities
Other
- Film - Historic Location
Accessibility
- All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
- Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - Loop on sound system
- Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors - Touch model, braille guides and large print leaflets.
- Guide Dogs Permitted
- Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors - Parking area for disabled visitors outside the Cathedral.
- Ramp/Level Access
- Toilets for Disabled Visitors
Attraction Facilities
- Shop
- Tea Rooms
Catering
- On-Site café/restaurant - Undercroft restaurant max 70
- Picnic Site
COVID-19 Response
- 2m distancing in place
- Capacity limit
- Clear signage
- Contactless payment possible
- COVID-19 measures in place
- COVID-19 refund and cancellation policy in place
- COVID-19 risk assessment completed
- COVID-19 staff training completed
- Face mask essential (not provided)
- Face masks available for visitors - available to buy
- Floors clearly marked for social distancing - at entrance and toilets
- Food available during COVID-19 restrictions
- Hand sanitizer available to visitors & staff
- Hygiene screens in place
- Interactive displays closed
- One way system
- Open now
- Outside seating
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Queuing system
- Regular temperature checks for staff - daily for front of house staff
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Socially distanced spaced seating
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
- Virtual menus
Key Features
- Families
- Groups
- In town/city centre - 2 Minutes Walk from the Cross into Westgate Street and the Cathedral will be on the right.
- No Smoking Attraction
Payment Methods
- All major credit cards accepted
Printed Material in Foreign Languages
- Chinese printed material
- French printed material
- German printed material - Korean printed material
- Italian printed material
- Japanese printed material
- Spanish printed material
Specialist Features
- Marketed towards children
- Marketed towards families
Tours and Demonstrations
- Educational Visits Accepted
- Guided Tours Available for Groups
- Guided Tours Available for Individuals
Venue Facilities
- Groups Accepted
