England
Cheshire

Cheshire Travel Guide - Historic Churches

Chester Cathedral    Here is a church which suffers much from the well-intentioned efforts of Victorian restorers. Chester was originally built by Saxon canons in the name of Saint Werburgh, a lady whose claim to sainthood was not harmed by having three Saxon kings as relatives. The church was raised to cathedral status by Henry VIII. In the interim the church gained magnificent woodcarving in the choirstalls (about 1380). Look closely at the carvings on the misericords and bench ends; aside from the obvious (St. Werburgh), there are details of Arthurian legend, Aesop's fables, and fabulous mythical beasts. At the shrine to St. Werburgh you can see the niches where medieval sufferers rested their heads while spending the night in a prayer for healing. 12 Abbey Square, Chester, Cheshire, England, CH1 2HU Attraction Type: Cathedral Website: Chester Cathedral Phone: 01244 324 756 Fax: 01244 341 110 Location map Details of Chester Cathedral OS SJ405 666 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering