CATHEDRALS

In the following, the 10 best-known cathedrals in England will be presented. This happens in the order of my personal, and therewith subjective, ranking of their architecture.

My "number 1" is the Salisbury cathedral, erected 1220 to 1258. Main data: 135 m long, two transepts, ship height 26 m, tower 123m. This is the tallest church tower in the United Kingdom. The Salisbury cathedral is by far the most coherent church architecture in England.

Salesbury

My "number 2" is the Liverpool metropolitan cathedral. Actually this is the only English cathedral created in modern architecture, and built 1962 to 1967.

Its design is truly stunning: Circular and conical, with a diameter of 59 m, and the height is 85 m. The altar is placed in the center of the building. It seems that many people focussed on the "classical" style of churches were rather scared by this building.

Liverpool - metropolitan cathedral

My "number 3" is the Wells cathedral. It took quite some time to build it, from 1176 to 1495. It's rated as "small", yet isn't, given its proportions, and that it has three towers. Length 126m, ship height 21 m, towers 38m, 38m, 55m.

When visiting it I realized why this cathedral is labeled "the most beautiful one" - it is especially the fine architecture of the western facade.

Lincoln

Ely

A not overly impressive, yet certainly the largest cathedral, is the "York Minster": Length 160m,.nave length 80m, nave height 30m, central tower 72m. Main construction period: 1220 to 1472.

York

Westminster Abbey

To end this presentation of England cathedrals - here is a church which is not a cathedral, but a rare example of a very modern design.

This "Our Lady Help of Christians" was built 1966-67 in Birmingham. It is the most contemporary church I have seen during my England trips in 1972 & 1974.

Birmingham catholic church

FINALLY

One topic is a 'must' for any presentation of England's culture - music. Not church music though. Rather: rock music! Here are two unique crucial bands!!

P.S.: I reckon you can easily recognize who these musicians are?