Welcome

One of the most popular places to visit in the North West, the Cathedral attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

All who visit will be made most welcome, and encouraged to share in the rich beauty of this, the most complete medieval monastic complex still standing in the UK . With records of a church on this site since the early tenth century, it was founded as a Benedictine Monastery dedicated to St Werburgh in 1092. In 1541, following the dissolution of the monasteries, it was rededicated as the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chester, the mother church of the Church of England Diocese of Chester.

Chester Cathedral charges admission to visitors, but there is no charge for anyone wishing to attend services.

This site has been a place of worship for over one thousand years, standing as a living and vibrant symbol of Christianity in the North West of England.

Throughout all of this time its ministry has continued without interruption through periods of adversity such as the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the English Civil War and the two world wars.

Today the Cathedral aims to continue, and expand, the vital work which is embodied in our statement of mission:

"To know Christ better and to make Christ better known"