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Norwich Cathedral

The gleaming white Norwich Cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, with a striking spire which is a prominent landmark, has preserved its Norman character better than any other church in England. The building of Norwich cathedral was begun in 1096 by Herbert de Losinga (bishop 1091-1119), who transferred the episcopal see of Thetford to Norwich in 1092. The choir and aisles were completed in 1101, and the nave by his successor Eborard or Everard (bishop 1121-46). The spire collapsed in 1362 and was rebuilt in Decorated style. In the 15th century the nave and presbytery were re-roofed and a Perpendicular window was inserted in the west front. The spire (315ft/96m) is the highest in England after Salisbury.

Must-see attractions nearby:
Norwich Cathedral
Things to See

Bishop's Palace

Norwich Cathedral's Bishop's Palace, with a doorway dating from about 1430, and St John's Chapel (1322) are now part of Norwich School. Formerly named King Edward VI School, it was founded as a monastery school in 1240 and numbers Lord Nelson and the landscape gardener Humphrey Repton among its past pupils.

Cloister

The Monk's Door and the Prior's Door lead through to the two-story cloister, built between 1297 and 1425. Its passageways are full of embellishments in a range of styles from Decorated to Perpendicular and contain more than 400 superb bosses.

Interior

The interior of Norwich cathedral has an nave with fourteen bays, mainly in the early Norman style, with low massive columns. The windows are Decorated and Perpendicular; the glass is mainly 19th century. Particularly notable is the fine lierne vaulting, with 326 bosses (out of a total of over 800 in the whole church). The aisles are also Norman. Two bays of the south aisle were converted into chantry chapels by Bishop Nyx or Nykke (bishop 1501-35). The transepts resemble the nave, with beautiful 16th century vaulting. The choir was rebuilt in the Perpendicular style, but the original apse was preserved. The 62 choir-stalls, with splendid canopies and beautifully carved misericords. date from 1420 to 1480. In the aisles there are a number of tombs, including that of Bishop James Goldwell (1472-99). Behind the high altar is the old stone bishop's throne dating from the sixth or eighth century (restored 1959).
Address
Norwich Cathedral
62 The Close
Norwich NR1 4EH
England
Hours
January 1 to May 14
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open7:307:307:307:307:307:307:30
Close18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
May 15 to September 15
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open7:307:307:307:307:307:307:30
Close19:0019:0019:0019:0019:0019:0019:00
September 16 to December 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open7:307:307:307:307:307:307:30
Close18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
Tips
Donations accepted.
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Clock face on the Norwich Cathedral.
Exterior of the Norwich Cathedral.
Interior of the Norwich Cathedral.
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