Exeter Cathedral
Exeter, Devon, England, Website: www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk, Email: visitors@exeter-cathedral.org.uk, Tel: 01392 285 983, Fax: 01392 285 986.
The church here was begun in the 11th century, but most of what remains is the result of rebuilding between 1275-1375. The Lady chapel and retrochoir were added at this time, to be followed by the presbytery and the choir. The nave was built in the mid 14th century, under the direction of Richard Farleigh, who was also responsible for the spire at Salisbury. The vaulting extends for an extraordinary 300 feet, making it the longest uninterrupted stone vault in Britain. The carving is wonderful, particularly in the Minstrel's gallery (look for the 14 angels, each carrying a different musical instrument) and the pulpitum. South West England attractions map

Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, GL1 2LR, Website: www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk, Email: tony.higgs@gloucestercathedral.org.uk, Tel: 01452 528095, Fax: 01452 300469.
The magnificence of Gloucester, which only became a cathedral under Henry VIII, owes much to the courage of one man, Abbot Thoky. When Edward II was murdered at nearby Berkeley Castle in 1327, three other abbots refused to accept the king's remains, possibly because they disapproved of his reported "unnatural" lifestyle. Thoky accepted the body, risking the displeasure of Edward's many enemies. When miracles were reported at Edward's tomb, the money brought in by the resulting flood of pilgrims enabled the rebuilding of the Norman abbey church. The result is a fascinating blend of heavy Romanesque drum piers and perpendicular Gothic tracery. The east window (1347-50), which commemorates the English victory at Crecy, is glorious. It retains some of its original stained glass. The 15th century cloisters exhibit a wonderful example of fan vaulting. Cotswold attractions map

Hereford Cathedral
Hereford, Herefordshire, England, Website: www.herefordcathedral.co.uk, Tel: 01432 374202.
Hereford was founded in Saxon times to house the shrine of Saint Ethelbert, a murdered king of East Anglia. A carefully preserved tooth of the saint was highly venerated in the Middle Ages. The church underwent several stages of rebuilding, most notably in the 13th century, when the north transept was built. Look at the triforium arches; they are triangular, almost straight-sided, an unusual effect known as the Geometric style. Hereford gained its second major shrine when miracles were reported at the tomb of Bishop Thomas de Cantilupe, who died in 1282. West Midlands attractions map

Lichfield Cathedral
19A The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, WS13 7LD, Website: www.lichfield-cathedral.org, Email: enquiries@lichfield-cathedral.org Tel: 01543 306100, Fax: 01543 306109.
Lichfield's three towers, the "Ladies of the Vale", preside over a beautiful, though much restored, exterior. The cathedral suffered badly during the Civil War, being alternately beseiged and used to house soldiers and horses. It has also suffered from being built of sandstone, which is wonderful material for carving the statues which festoon its west front, but not so good at preserving the final effects of the mason's art. The statues that you can see today are Victorian replacements for earlier work. The nave is late 13th century. Of special note is the chapter house, built to a strange elongated octagonal design, and the Lady chapel, which is out of alignment to the main church. West Midlands attractions map

Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, LN2 1PZ, Website: www.lincolncathedral.com, Email: visitors@lincolncathedral.com, Tel: 01522 544544.
If Lincoln were merely an empty shell, it would still deserve a visit for the extraordinary exterior. Here is art in stone. The west front, in particular, is magnificent in its use of sculptural detail and the richness of its design. Lincoln was largely rebuilt beginning in 1186 after a fire destroyed the earlier Norman church. Under the direction of Hugh of Avalon (Great Saint Hugh), the choir and eastern transepts were built, followed (1215-55) by the nave and chapter house. The angel choir is a masterpiece of the Decorated style. Look up at the central tower. It rises to 271 feet. Now imagine a spire extending another 284 feet up! That tower fell down in 1548. In the south east porch is the "Judgement Portal", with its marvellous relief carvings of Christ presiding over the Last Day, and in the choir is the "crazy vault" of intertwining ribs crisscrossing the bay. Everywhere you look are incredible carvings in wood and stone. Plan on spending a long time at Lincoln. East Midlands attractions map