Need some advice re: a cathedral tour of England

[bif]

I'm going to concentrate on the south midlands area. These are the cathedrals I'm interested in: Peterborough, Leicester, Lichfield Hereford and Gloucester. Maybe add Southwell, Derby and Worcester. I'm thinking it might make sense to stay in Gloucester and do day trips via rail? Or maybe stay in Gloucester for 1/2 the time and Leicester for 1/2 the time?

Any thoughts?

We'll probably go in the early Fall.

[Scrivener7]

1. I don't know, but it sounds like a cool trip. Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. I can speak only to my brief excursions while a sailor, poor in terms of both money and time

My travels took me to Glastonbury, which seemed mystical, practically a portal to ancient times. This was over 50 years ago, and I formed that impression long before popular culture dumped a ton of woo into the equation. Between tales of Joseph of Arimathea to King Arthur to ley lines, it’s not surprising that people visit with preconceived notions.

I didn’t have the luxury of ignorance when I visited Sedona - another new age hotspot - last year. I may feel ‘something’ in the vicinity of a vortex, but how much of that is due to expectations? Still, I felt invigorated and hiked great distances on that ostensible vacation.

To try and tie up the loose ends of this rambling screed, I’ll conclude with this church in Sedona.



I knew beforehand of claims that a vortex was centered precisely where the giant cross emerges from the rocks , so I was skeptical of anything ‘unusual’ that I felt. If ‘creeped out’ counts as supernatural experience, then the crucified Christ on a smaller cross behind the altar certainly had that effect on me.



Twisted junipers on the path up to the church add to the surreal atmosphere.



That was the Church of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZ.

https://chapeloftheholycross.com/

[surfered]

3. No matter where you visit you will enjoy it.

There are over 100 cathedrals and abbeys in the UK and we’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of them. There’s a list in Wikipedia.

Fall is a good time. Spring and fall lessens the crowds.

Westminster, Yorkminster, Durham, Bath, Salisbury, Wells, Glastonbury, Ely are a few of our favorites. In a chapel in St Paul’s there’s a book of all the American airmen killed in the 8th Air Force in WWII. Their names are handwritten and they turn the page every day.

Canterbury was a disappointment.

We’ve never stayed in Gloucester as we prefer to drive ourselves and smaller towns and villages make for easier ingress and egress. The Cotswolds is close to Gloucester and a good alternative. Stow in the Wold is our favorite.

No matter which ones you choose, be sure to attend Evensong when available as they have a choir.

Hope this helps. Enjoy and cheers!

[bif]

4. Thanks!

I've seen most of the major cathedrals. So I'm looking forward to seeing some of the ones in smaller towns.

Maybe we'll rent a car for a few day, then we won't have to rely on the train schedules.

[surfered]

5. Not too difficult driving in small towns...

…using maps on your phone. Just follow the Town Center signs and have your co-pilot remind you to stay left. Since our auto insurance doesn’t cover us over there, we always get the Collision Damage Waver with no deductible. For the Cotswolds, you could train to Oxford and rent the car. Try Auto Europe.

Best of luck.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Gloucester to Peterborough would be quite a long journey - over 3 hours

so if you stayed in Gloucester the whole time, it'd mean a lot of travelling. It would make more sense to divide it into 2 - Peterborough, Leicester and Lichfield in one (plus Southwell and Derby if you can), and Hereford and Gloucester the other (plus Worcester).

(Southwell is an odd place to find a cathedral - quite likely the least known cathedral in the country. The town is so small, it doesn't have its own railway station - there's a small one a couple of miles away. So either hope for good weather and a country walk, or book a taxi.)

[bif]

7. Thanks for the info

It's hard to gauge how long it'll take to travel from city to city. Between Peterborough, Leicester, or Lichfield, which would be the nicest to stay in?What town has the most stuff to do?

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Leicester has most stuff

It's largest, and has the most history. Lichfield doesn't have much apart from the cathedral (home town of Samuel Johnson, I think, so I'd guess there's something there about him if you're a fan); Peterborough is larger, but not a tourist spot.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ (I assume it's accessible outside the UK) has a journey planner that gives you an idea of how long between stations, and what changes of train you might have to make.

[bif]

9. Thanks for all the great info.

I'm thinking of making Leicester and Gloucester our to bases. The real question is trains or rent a car.

[Emrys]

10. If you'd like to venture outside England for a break (which isn't a major trip), you could go to St Davids in Wales

Exploring Britain's smallest city

https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/west-wales/pembrokeshire/St-Davids

It's set in a particularly idyllic setting, in the UK's smallest city (which if it didn't have a cathedral and a bishop we'd normally call a small town or largeish village) on a peninsula in Pembrokeshire on Wales's southwestern Irish Sea coast. There are train stations not far from it in Tenby, Haverfordwest and Fishguard.



The ruin to the left of the picture is the medieval Bishop's Palace, which you can explore for an entrance fee. The cathedral itself is in excellent repair and features fine ceilings and all the usual architecture you'd expect.




If you wanted to extend your remit to abbey ruins, you could take in the famous Tintern Abbey near Chepstow as a detour on your way. The ruins of the abbey at Strata Florida have always been an enjoyable visit somewhat off the beaten path. Both would no doubt easier to get to via car hire, but you may be able to find some tours that take these sites in.

[bif]

11. Wow! That looks incredible!

We may have to consider that. If not this trip, next time!

[róisín_dubh]

12. Thought it's a bit out of the way...

I have to throw a hat in the ring for Norwich Cathedral (and Norwich in general). It's a lovely city.
If you're doing anything by rail, beware the dreaded engineering works on the weekend. They can really muck up your plans.
Enjoy! England in the early autumn is lovely.

[bif]

13. We visited Norwich many years ago

It is amazing. I love East Anglia.

[róisín_dubh]

14. It's my adopted home.

I live in Ipswich. I much prefer Norwich to London, not least of which because it’s cheaper. It also has much more character.
The landscape of East Anglia is very interesting, with its fenlands and broad rivers. It must’ve been a fascinating place 1000 years ago.
I hope you enjoy your trip!