The Public have Voted – Tripadvisor Awards 2024

Our cathedrals have been voted in the top ten per cent of all visitor attractions – thanks to you, the public.

Tripadvisor Awards for Cathedrals

The votes are in … most of our cathedrals are in the top ten per cent of all visitor attractions – as voted by YOU the public.

From Carlisle in the north, Norwich in the east, Chester in the west, Exeter and Truro in the south and St Davids from our partners at the Church in Wales over 85 per cent of all our cathedrals have been awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers ‘Choice Award 2024 – putting them in the top ten per cent of attractions worldwide – including for the first time, Bradford Cathedral.

This means they have earned consistently positive reviews and ratings over the last year from visitors.

And for the third year running, York Minster has been voted Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best – this award is TripAdvisor’s highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide. These are the only industry accolades based on professional reviews.

Here is just a small sample of what you can discover at a cathedral near you this summer – do check out their websites to see what’s on before turning up to avoid disappointment. Some events need pre-booking.

Lichfield Cathedral sees the return of its ever-popular beach which will transform the front of the cathedral for the school summer holidays alongside an exciting family programme of events including crafts, a magician and his circus, and story-telling.

Chichester Cathedral’s summer campaign is Summer of Discoveries– from the tumultuous Tudor era to the reign of monumental monarchs like Charles I, every corner of the cathedral holds a tale waiting to be discovered.

The summer programme aims to highlight these stories through a diverse array of events and experiences suitable for all ages, including outdoor theatre productions, family-friendly creative workshops and specialist hidden histories tours offered by their volunteer tour guides.

This July and August, Gloucester Cathedral invites visitors to embark on a journey of reflection with a packed programme of worship, activities and wellbeing events taking place across the summer. From morning yoga sessions, to special Taizé services, a family well-being trail and soundbathing.

Creatures large and small are taking over Winchester Cathedral this summer with an interactive trail, Dr Doolittle amongst their outdoor theatre programme and whimsical mechanical artworks of cats and other animals at the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre.

This interactive family-friendly exhibition combines art, science and engineering and can be seen in the North Transept from July 19. These whimsical mechanical artworks illustrate their inner workings at the push of a button or turn of a lever and are from the collection of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre whose exhibits have recently been enjoyed in New Zealand, Germany and the USA, with the collections being seen by over ten million people worldwide over the past 30 years.

There are various dates throughout the summer for a children’s urban safari when the Learning and the Gardening Teams will be looking at tree rings, searching for bugs, and learning about composting, and animals is the theme for the family craft and storytime activities too.

Outdoor theatre includes Dr Doolittle, the Hound of the Baskervilles and Beauty and the Beast.

So as the summer holidays beckon, we invite you to see what you will discover at a cathedral near you.

Every year, Tripadvisor celebrates attractions that consistently deliver amazing experiences with a Travellers’ Choice Award with businesses that have received great traveller reviews from travellers around the globe on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months.

Here are some of the recent reviews from visitors to some of our cathedrals:

Bradford

“The cathedral was recommended by a local stained glass artist so we popped in, it is a wonderful tranquil place in the heart of the city and well worth a visit. We were met by an enthusiastic volunteer, Robert, who was very knowledgeable and showed us around. We learnt so much about the history of the building. The glass work is extraordinary and the building itself an amalgam of different periods. The Font piece is marvellous. We noticed the Cathedral holds regular events which are worth keeping an eye on. Thank you to Robert and the team for making us feel so welcome and sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for this lovely place.”

Carlisle

“Stunning. Went on the Settle to Carlisle train so had to visit here, stunning outbuildings before you enter the Cathedral, Nice cafe as well. On entering the Cathedral you look up and go WOW!!! What a work of art the ceiling is, stained glass windows everywhere and info everywhere about its history. This is a must-see place if you are visiting Carlisle.”

Ely

“Magnificent. The architecture in Ely cathedral is magnificent, unlike any other cathedral I have seen in the UK. The paintings on the ceiling running the full length of the cathedral are something to behold. You could spend hours admiring the details in the stonework and stained glass windows. The entry fee is £10 for adults, but worth every penny. There are long term car parks within walking distance.”

Gloucester Cathedral 

“With over 900 years of holiness enveloping, it makes for a beautiful and inspiring place of worship. Wonderful stone carvings and statuary bedeck the façades. Inside is awe-inspiring. A sequence of columns and arches leads to the glorious altar area. Stained glass vibrantly relates biblical events. An exquisite ceiling crowns it all.”

Liverpool

“Awe-inspiring. Truly a must-see, it’s an awe-inspiring homage to a higher power. Both outside and interior are extraordinary. Monumental in profile, light hued brown stone of the exterior is captivating. Deemed the eight largest church in the world, it was wonderful strolling throughout the vast interior gazing at the beauty all around.”

Chester

“An outstanding cathedral in a beautiful Roman city.This is an outstanding cathedral in a beautiful Roman city.
We visited whilst on an overnight stop in Chester, the cloisters are in excellent repair considering the age and the cloister garden has an amazing water feature with a statue of Jesus and the the Woman of Samaria.
The cathedral is very much in use as a place of worship as well as a magnificent building with some outstanding architecture.
The cafe in the thirteenth century monks’ dining hall is clean with a good range of fresh food and hot drinks.”

Southwell Minster

“A glorious building to see, whilst the outside is impressive the inside takes your breath away. Walking in through the amazing arched entrance set the tone with similarly beautiful features, like the carved stone leaves and wooden carved pulpits, throughout the minster and the surprise of the Roman tiles. The staff on hand were very friendly and knowledgeable adding to what was a lovely visit. The Archbishops palace was also a treat to see and we learnt about some of its famous past visitors.”

St Alban’s Cathedral

“A very humble, spiritual place. This was our second visit to this amazing cathedral. It is free to enter and see a building that has stood the test of time. Beautiful wall paintings that have slowly faded, norman arches, and a shrine to St Alban where you can find a few minutes of peace where countless others have done over many, many years. I always feel part of history walking around this place. There is something very spiritual about it.”