For over 900 years this Norman building has dominated the Norwich skyline bearing witness to the glory of God. It has been voted Norfolk’s favourite building. The work of today’s Cathedral community remains grounded in the principles of its Benedictine founders – worship, learning and hospitality.
Hostry Visitor & Education Centre
Visitors to the Cathedral enter through a medieval archway which now forms part of the Hostry Visitor & Education Centre, a stunning new development, designed by Hopkins Architects and constructed on the foundations of the Benedictine monastic buildings. Opened by HM The Queen in 2010, it offers conference, choral and education facilities, as well as a rolling programme of art exhibitions where visitors can spend time before entering the Cathedral itself.
Just another museum?
The Cathedral’s architecture is justly famous, its history fascinating and its collection of art and objects outstanding. The Cathedral certainly deserves its five star rating as a tourist attraction. But this is no museum, it is a living centre for worship, welcome and learning.
Located within 44 tranquil acres by the River Wensum, the 900 year old Cathedral welcomes visitors on a daily basis and provides them with a an extraordinary variety of things to do and see.
A living place
Throughout the year Norwich Cathedral plays host to a variety of events including concerts, plays, lectures, family activity days, exhibitions, and more.
You can take a guided tour and learn how the Cathedral survived riot, war, plague and fire; there’s a Japanese garden and a herb garden, and you can walk through the largest monastic cloister in England.
The Cathedral spire is the second highest in the country and is home to a resident pair of Peregrine Falcons. Their nesting ledge can be viewed via a webcam set up by the Hawk and Owl Trust who are also setting up a watch point in the Cathedral Close where visitors can view the birds through telescopes.
The musicians of Norwich Cathedral uphold a tradition of choral worship that stretches back almost unbroken to 1096. The music team includes the Master of Music, Organist, twenty boy choristers, twenty-four girl choristers, six choral scholars and six lay clerks.
Visitors to the Cathedral may sometimes see mini monks wandering through the Cloister walkways. Each year the Cathedral welcomes over 6,000 school pupils and students, offering activities which support all key stages of the National Curriculum.
Refectory Restaurant & Coffee Shop
The Cathedral’s monastic predecessors made it a priority to welcome all guests. In the 21st century this tradition has been extended to meet the needs of people in the new millennium.
The Refectory, sister building to the Hostry and also designed by Hopkins Architects, has won many design awards. Cleverly accommodated within the footprint and remaining walls of the original monastic Refectory, the Restaurant and Coffee Shop provides light, spacious surroundings in which to enjoy tea and coffee, a freshly cooked hot lunch or a sandwich. All food is prepared on the premises by the Refectory’s talented team of chefs, using local and seasonal produce.
“The Refectory and Hostry at Norwich are two of the most exciting and ambitious construction projects at an English cathedral in recent years. Their detailing is utterly contemporary, yet they rise within ancient walls. Each takes the historic function of a ruined medieval building and recasts it for the twenty-first century.” English Heritage.
For detailed information about events, opening times and weekly services visit Norwich Cathedral’s website – www.cathedral.org.uk
