Tour and Explore Cathedrals and Churches

Is probably one of the finest Cathedrals in England.  Originally it was the Abbey Church of a Benedictine Monastery. It became a Cathedral in 16th century after Henry VIII destroyed the monastic buildings, saving the church because it held the remains of some of his ancestors. King Edward II is buried near the high altar after being murdered at nearby Berkeley Castle.  With the enormous number of pilgrims visiting Edward II's tomb, the money donated enabled Edward III to rebuild the east end in the latest perpendicular style. The East Window is one of the largest medieval windows in the country and contains much of its original stained glass. The 15th century cloisters have some magnificent fan vaulting.

Since 757 AD, there have been three different churches on the site of Bath Abbey.   The present Abbey Church was founded in 1499 when the newly appointed, Bishop of Bath, Oliver King, is said to have been shocked to find the church in ruins. He had a dream telling him to build a new church. The story of the dream is carved in stone on the front of the Abbey.

Cotswold Wool Merchant John Thame began rebuilding Fairford church in the early 1490's.  It was completed by his son Edmund and is therefore considered among the number of "wool churches" in the region. Fairford Church is internationally famous for its complete set of medieval windows which gives a visual account of the Bible stories from Adam and Eve through to the Last Judgement

The Cathedral lies alongside the River Severn and is a great landmark in the city. It contains the royal tomb of King John and the tomb of Prince Arthur, surrounded by a magnificent chantry chapel.  There are medieval cloisters, an ancient crypt and chapter house. Composer Edward Elgar is remembered with a stained glass window and memorial plaques in the west end.

Was founded by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey on the site of St Freideswide's Abbey.  It is also the chapel to Christchurch University College.  Charles Dodgson was an Oxford Mathematics Don who befriended Dean Liddell's daughters and took them on outings, telling them stories as they punted along the river.  Alice persuaded him to write the stories down and they are the Stories of Alice in Wonderland under the pen-name of Lewis Carroll.  Tom tower, which you can see in the picture was built by Sir Christopher Wren.

This is one of a very few thatched churches in the country. The architect was William Lethaby, a leading light in the Arts and Crafts Movement.  Local craftsmen were employed to build it and

it contains tapestries by Edward Burne Jones which were made in the workshops of Morris and Co

In the centre of Tewkesbury is the superb abbey church of St Mary the Virgin with its impressive Norman tower, one of the largest in the world, and largest exterior arch in the world as seen in the photograph alongside. The church dates back to the early 1100's, and is known for its marvellous collection of ornate medieval chantry chapels.

This lovely church is situated on the banks of the River Avon.  It was where William Shakespeare was baptised and is where he and some of his family are buried.  We can enjoy the calm ambience of this lovely building and also visit Shakespeare's grave in the chancel, where we will see the inscribed curse on his tombstone "Good friend for Jesus sake forbear; To dig the dust enclosed here! Blest be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones".