Cathedrals lead the way in top tourism awards

Salisbury Cathedral has been shortlisted for the Temporary or Touring Exhibition in the Museum and Heritage Awards for its exhibition of Michael Pendry’s Les Colombes and the accompanying community project #SalisburyCityofDoves.

It shares the shortlist with the Science Museum for its Tim Peake Spacecraft Tour and Liverpool Museum with its China’s First Emporer and the Terracotta Warriors – others in the shortlist are the Museum of London, The Foundling Museum and The Florence Nightingale Museum.

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos said:
“It is amazing to be in such illustrious company and we are delighted. Les Colombes is a powerful installation with a universal message. From the World War One Centenary, which the doves were originally intended to mark, to the shocking events in Salisbury in 2018, the message of reconciliation, peace, and resilience embodied in the doves is potent. ”

The announcement comes in the same week as Lichfield Cathedral is crowned Tourist Attraction of the Year for the second year running and secures Event of the Year for the third year running for its Cathedral Illuminated with Luxmuralis in the local Staffordshire What’s On Tourism Awards; Lincoln Cathedral wins Visitor Attraction of the year at the Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards and Wells Cathedral got bronze in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in the Access and Inclusivity category.

Salisbury Cathedral will have to wait until 15 May for the awards ceremony in London.