View of St George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle, Windsor

St George's Chapel

Windsor, Berkshire

Churches & Cathedrals

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From the centuries old centre of the Anglican Church to one of the newest Cathedrals in England, South East England's Cathedrals allow us to delve into English history, discover stories of old, marvel at the stunning architecture, enjoy both splendour and serenity and find out how these iconic buildings that litter the South East cities and towns fit into the history of the destination and a nation. 

Whether you choose to visit Jane Austen or William the Conqueror resting places, walk the UK leg of the famous Camino de Santiago or the Old Way in search of Thomas Becket’s shrine, follow in the footsteps of the British Royal Family, you are sure to visit one of the magnificant Catherdrals or historic churches in the South East along the way.  British history and religion are inter-twinned and it is difficult to discover one without the other.

Why visit a cathedral?

No cathedral sightseeing day out in England would be complete without visiting Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, where at this magnificent structure you will learn about the fundamental role it has played in the history of Britain. It has the greatest length of any gothic cathedral in Europe and is the final resting place of Jane Austen.

Dating back in 1218, Salisbury Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome, and hospitality for over 800 years. Its Spire (the tallest in the country and a feat of medieval engineering) rises to a breath-taking 404ft/123m, guiding travelers, merchants, and pilgrims to the historic city.

While you are in Kent be sure not to miss Rochester Cathedral, England’s second oldest cathedral, dating back to the year 604. The old meets the new with ancient history brought to life by ancient visits and entry to the cathedral is free of charge.

In complete contrast, less than 100 years old, Guildford Cathedral in Surrey is one of the newest cathedrals in England. Here you can admire the contrast between the Brutalist brick exterior and the light, soaring gothic arches inside.

Over the border in Sussex, Chichester Cathedral has dominated the city's landscape for more than 900 years and is also free to enter. Artefacts range from ancient stone carvings to 20th Century works of art. Chichester Cathedral is part of the 250 mile Old Way Pilgrimage from Southampton to Canterbury. 

Or the centre of the Anglican Church, Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, one of the oldest and greatest cathedrals in England. It's been the spiritual head of the Church of England for nearly 500 years and been granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1988.  There are actually three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canterbury, the Cathedral with its stunning mixture of Romanesque and Perpendicular Gothic architecture, the modest Church of St Martin (the oldest church in the English-speaking world) and the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey, once a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent.

Why not make a day of it by visiting a city that has two cathedrals for the price of one, Portsmouth in Hampshire? The city is home to both St John's Catholic Cathedral and the Anglican Cathedral Church of St Thomas.

Historic Churches

Did you know that St James Church in Reading is departure point for walkers retracing the steps of medieval pilgrims along St James’ Way to Southampton and then on to Galicia in north-west Spain, where they can join the English Way, one of the routes of the world famous Way of Saint James, the Camino de Santiago. 

St George's Chapel in Windsor, was the setting for the marriages of Prince Harry and HRH Princess Eugenie and is the burial place of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Henry VIII and Charles I and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. A visit to St George’s Chapel is included in your Windsor Castle ticket or you are most welcome to attend services at St George’s Chapel, which are free to all.

The Hospital of St Cross in Winchester is located alongside the River Itchen and is one of the oldest almshouses in England.  The beautiful collection of medieval buildings including the Church, the Brethren’s Hall and the Old Kitchen are open to visitors.

The South East is also home to many churches that tell the story of the history and heritage of the region, none more so than the Churches Conservation Trust that preserves dozens of the region's religious buildings. Browse the list below or use the search box on the left to see what hidden gems you can visit on your trip to the South of England.  

Number of results:

Number of results: 22

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  1. Church of St Peter and St Paul

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Guildford

    An ancient Saxon church in a lovely parkland setting

    This charming, ancient church, dating from Saxon and Norman times, is a flint-walled gem, set amongst the trees of beautiful Albury Park above the gently running River Tilling. It is full of…

  2. St James RC Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    READING

    Built between 1836 and 1840 St James Roman Catholic Church was built from designs by A. W Pugin architect of the Palace of Westminster.  The church is located next to Reading Abbey ruins, between Forbury Gardens and Reading Gaol.