The street glistened in the November rain as we stepped into the porch of the cathedral. Chester has no end of wonderful places to shelter from the cold, seemingly endless British rain, but none quite as majestic as Chester Cathedral.
On the first Saturday of November, the cathedral hosted The Cheshire Print Fair, so my niece and I made our way to the South Transept to take a look. We were lucky enough to arrive just in time to grab the last two free “early bird” tote bags on offer. They came in handy when carrying home our shopping the following day! The Print Fair was well-attended, and it was somewhat difficult to get near some of the stalls; however, they all had wonderful prints on sale.
As with most British cathedrals, the stained glass windows of Chester are stunning, and there are plenty of them – big and small.
In the Cloisters, we found some interesting stained glass memorials. Most notably, one is dedicated to George Mallory and Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, both originally from Cheshire, and another to the former choristers who gave their lives in the Great Wars.
In a brief break from the rain, we stepped out through the heavy wooden door and into the Cloister Garden. The rain clouds had dispersed, and blue skies and sunlight brightened the courtyard. At its centre stands the “Water of Life” sculpture by Stephen Broadbent, depicting the encounter between Jesus and the Woman of Samaria.
We made our way to the gift shop, passing the cathedral cafe on the way. I can never resist a cathedral gift shop, and so, a number of cards and postcards were purchased. I was very tempted by a necklace, but managed to resist it in the end.
When we made our way out of the cathedral, we stopped to zip up our coats and put our hoods up before stepping back out into the cold November rain.
43 Comments
Beverley
It has been a while since we last visited Chester Cathedral but I remember being wowed by that ceiling and the stained glass. Just stunning. The sculpture water feature in the cloister garden is beautiful too. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit despite the rain and also managed to see the print fair. Thank you for sharing your loovely photos; they bought back good memories for me.
Enjoy your week whatever you are doing.
Nikki
Thank you. I’m so glad this post brought back good memories for you.
Kelly
I love a good cathedral post and this one is outstanding! I have not visited this cathedral and see so much to recommend it if I ever visit the UK again. Of course all the stained glass is beautiful, but I love the details in some of those memorials in the cloisters. What a magnificent ceiling, too!
As for gift shops, I’m always a sucker. On a different note… did my last correspondence get to you?
Nikki
I’m afraid your last correspondence has yet to arrive. In fact, I’ve only received a couple of letters this month. The mail seems slow all round!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
I love a good cathedral and this looks like a great one. I didn’t even know Chester had a cathedral!
Nikki
It’s a stone’s throw from the Rows and right next to the City Walls.
Tony Urwin
Sumptuous photographs. 🙂
Nikki
Thank you!
Kris P
That may be the most beautiful church/cathedral I’ve ever seen. I was surprised it has a gift shop and a cafe but I expect I’m out of touch with what churches must do to cover their expenses.
Nikki
Quite a few cathedrals in the UK have a cafe and/or gift shop to make extra revenue. Smaller churches will often have an honesty box for visitors to pay for postcards etc.
Eastside Cats
Wow! What an experience.
Ju-Lyn
Stunning! inside and out. The wooden eaves are fabulous!
I wonder why there are so many folding chairs …
Nikki
They often hold events there so have seating which can be moved about. I do prefer the look of traditional pews, but they’re not so comfortable to sit on!
meowmeowmans
Amazing photographs! I love cathedrals, and your photos show the size and convey the size and scope of Chester Cathedral. I literally felt my breath catch as I looked at them. Thank you for sharing!
Nikki
Thank you! They do tours of the tower, so you can see the cathedral and city from above, but I don’t think my fear of heights would let me do one!
lisl
I have never managed to get to Chester Cathedral, although I have visited many of the others. So I do appreciate your comprehensive show here, Nikki
Nikki
It’s well worth visiting if you’re ever in Chester.
Margaret
Just something out of this world and so beautiful are your photos of it.
Pleased you enjoyed the print fair which sounds most interesting.
Nikki
Thank you. They’re holding another print fair at the cathedral this coming May.
Ginnie Hart
I’ve never been to Chester, Nikki, so you’ve definitely whetted my appetite, after seeing this grand cathedral. This is a good example of looking both up and down, wherever we are, but especially in cathedrals. Excellent images of your time there with your neice!
Nikki
Oh, Chester is definitely worth a visit! It’s an old city and “The Rows” are something to be experienced. I can’t think of anywhere else quite like it. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Johanna Bradley
Visually stunning, Nikki! I’ve never seen more beautiful stained glass. I really love this post xx
Nikki
Thank you!
Tanja
Majestic cathedral indeed
Anca
I’ve seen Chester Cathedral plenty of times, but didn’t attend a fair there, as far as I can remember. It’s a beautiful place and well done for getting the freebies.
Nikki
The next print fair is being held there in May, I think. I’m tempted to go again, but get there for opening time next time.
Jo
A beautiful cathedral. I’m always drawn to the stained glass windows, fabulous.
Nikki
Same here. Such wonderful work goes into them.
jeanie
I don’t know if I’ll get to Chester on our next trip — but if I do, I know where the first stop will be. That cathedral is magnificent — and your photos show it to the very best advantage. I loved all the stained glass, especially, and marveled at the memorial windows and the one with the church etched in. You hit it at the perfect time of day for excellent light. I’m so impressed with this, Nikki. Bravo.
Nikki
Chester is definitely worth a visit, not just for the cathedral but also for the city walls and The Rows.
Steven Schwartzman
What fancy architecture and accompanying decorations. I remember that the -chester at the end of so many names, and of course Chester itself, comes from castra, the Latin word for camp. Sure enough, when I looked up the town I found that it began as a Roman fortress in the first century.
somewhereinireland
The cathedral is stunning. Amazing stained glass windows.
Astrid
Incredible images, Nikki. The cathedral is a fine example to be in a place “short of eyes”. Everything you show is a thing of beauty. The ceiling is worth the cracked neck. The stained glasses are a work of art. What a pleasant visit you took us. I am glad you had that tiny moment with sun to go outside into the garden.
Have a wonderful day.
Nikki
Thank you! I actually got a little dizzy looking up at the ceiling! I had to stand still and steady myself for a minute.
hena
Oh those ceilings and the stained glass. So beautiful.
Ananka
Very grand! Lovely photos 😀
Cathy Birdsong Dutchak
What gorgeous photos of Chester Cathedral, Nikki. It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.
CherryPie
Beautiful photographs.
MrsWayfarer
A stunning cathedral!
Marty
What a beautiful place! I love the windows and that courtyard.
Peter B.
The architecture is absolutely stunning!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I don’t use the word “amazing” often but this cathedral really is. The ceiling and windows are beautiful.
Steven Schwartzman
Your photographs do an excellent job conveying the majesty of the cathedral on both a large scale and a small one.