Gloucester Cathedral
Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity
A masterpiece of Norman and early Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its fan-vaulted cloister served as the Hogwarts corridors in the Harry Potter films.
Gloucester Cathedral began as a Benedictine abbey in the 11th century. Its nave of sturdy Norman columns contrasts with the 14th-century Perpendicular Gothic choir. The East Window is one of the largest medieval stained-glass windows in England, and the tomb of Edward II is also here.
The most famous feature is the Great Cloister, which has the earliest complete fan vaulting in England. The Hogwarts corridors in the first three Harry Potter films were filmed here. Entry to the cathedral is free, with donations welcome, but tower tours require a separate ticket. Gloucester is about 70 km from Bath. It can be combined with villages in the northern Cotswolds or with Tewkesbury in a single day trip. Gloucester railway station is about a 10-minute walk away.
Opening hours
About 07:30–18:00 (some areas closed to visitors during services)
Nearby sights
- Tewkesbury Abbey
- Sudeley Castle
- Cirencester
- Castle Combe
- Bibury
- Broadway Tower
- Lacock and Lacock Abbey
- Upper and Lower Slaughter