Chester Cathedral Reviews Summary

Architecture and Aesthetics

Pros:

• "This has been the most amazing Cathedral I have ever visited."
• "Beautiful and intricate throughout with beautiful gardens and sculptures."
• "The architecture, structure, ceiling and glass window are stunning."
• "A hugely imposing and beautiful building."
• "The architecture is just amazing, it is free of charge."
• "The brickwork of the building is aesthetically gorgeous!"
• "The architecture of the place is wonderful, the coloured glasswork of the window panes is unbelievably beautiful, as are the organ, altar area and each of the small chapels around."

Cons:

• "It's very beautiful inside, but it was a shame to see pews discarded for rows of plastic chairs though."
• "Not an ideal venue for pop event for those of us sitting in south transept, as level seating means most people can't see much."
• "There's this sculpture by, a demon, I would call him. It is in a side offshoot, to me, it resembles a pair of slugs trying to eat each other, it's hideous."
• "Strange artwork unrelated to the setting, the inexplicable sale of alcohol in the café."
• "Gift shop didn't seem to have much appealing gifts in especially for kids."
• "Charged us full price to go in when basically half the cathedral was off limits."
• "There was a 'Snowman' concert in the main cathedral so was unable to go in there."

Atmosphere and Experience

Pros:

• "Beautiful architecture, history, and peaceful....despite being a tourist hotspot."
• "A truly magic building, inside and outside."
• "Very peaceful place to sit, light a candle and remember loved ones too."
• "The Cathedral Choir were rehearsing for Christmas and we just sat for ages listening to the singing and taking in the atmosphere."
• "It's just a lovely place to spend a few hours in no matter what your religion."
• "The cathedral itself is peaceful and calm."
• "A place of welcome and peace, regardless of the background or belief of the visitor, a place of history ancient and recent and a place of worship for those of Christian belief."

Cons:

• "I found no place for quiet prayer, decorated Christmas trees in cloisters and Cathedral, a huge stage, didn't see a Nativity crib?"
• "Perhaps our timing wasn't great due to the Christmas market being on, but I found my visit very hectic."
• "Didnt evangelise very well, a church is open and should be informing people about Jesus and Christianity."
• "Wish there had been more signs around the cathedral to tell us about it more tho."
• "Unfortunately, we miss the free guided tours."
• "Charged us full price to go in when basically half the cathedral was off limits."
• "We didn't go inside the Cathedral church as limited time was allocated in Chester."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "Inexpensive cost to come in either a small donation or the option to pay a very nominal entry fee donation in way of upkeep of the building."
• "Toilets, gift shop, and tours also available."
• "The cafe is the loveliest cafe ever, so airy and comfortable."
• "There is a shop where you can purchase religious artifacts and local jewelry and there is a cafe where you can get very good food at a reasonable price."
• "Lovely cafe and toilet facilities."
• "Free entry although donation boxes are located throughout the cathedral."
• "They have a cafe place and toilets, gift shop at the exit, interior garden and the garden surrounding the building."

Cons:

• "Usual long queue for limited women's loos, even on a quiet midweek morning the only downside."
• "There's a café, where you need a mortgage to buy anything. The food is nice and staff excellent but very inflated prices."
• "Food in cafe very reasonable - other than £6 for a tin of cider which is scandalous."
• "The gift shop left me feeling thoroughly depressed and quite angry."
• "Disappointed with the shop, we were expecting more Christian books and items however contained more secular items like alcohol and more non-Christian books than christian books."
• "Would have liked to use the cafe but just missed it."
• "Gift shop didn't seem to have much appealing gifts in especially for kids."

Staff and Guided Tours

Pros:

• "So much history and so well presented, with brilliant staff on hand."
• "The staff are always friendly, and you receive a very warm welcome even just as an obvious sight-seer."
• "Great time having a pre booked tour in the rooftops etc...very enthusiast guide who seemed well versed with its history."
• "The staff on site are friendly, helpful and a great source of knowledge."
• "The tour guide Matt was fantastic he was funny and had lots of historical information."
• "Our tour guide was Emma,, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable lady,, she was a delight, and was really friendly to our small group."
• "The cathedral staff are very friendly, attentive and interested in our welfare and I can't rate them highly enough."

Cons:

• "The owner response does not state that 2 staff were taking admission money and one guarding a barrier."
• "Wish there had been more signs around the cathedral to tell us about it more tho."
• "Unfortunately, we miss the free guided tours."
• "Charged us full price to go in when basically half the cathedral was off limits."
• "Didnt evangelise very well, a church is open and should be informing people about Jesus and Christianity."
• "Not very informative about the actual church services and family - only about 100 people week to week."
• "We didn't go inside the Cathedral church as limited time was allocated in Chester."

Exhibitions and Events

Pros:

• "With the added plus of a model railway setup to drool over."
• "The art exhibition shows the church has a heart and really does care about the environment and people."
• "Visited for a Christmas 🌲 tree festival, just off the cuff. It was really nice, ask the cathedral was open to look around with Christmas trees decorated by various schools and services."
• "Went to Mystery plays. It was an amazing theatrical event, with 200 amateur players."
• "Got tickets to see queen by candlelight. Fantastic night and building is amazing."
• "They host a variety of Candlelight Shows throughout the year, this one featured holiday music."
• "The Gaia installation was just superb."

Cons:

• "It looks amazing from outside. Unfortunately when we were there (Saturday 11th of July), we could not make it to go inside due the coronavirus situation."
• "There was a 'Snowman' concert in the main cathedral so was unable to go in there."
• "Strange artwork unrelated to the setting, the inexplicable sale of alcohol in the café."
• "I found no place for quiet prayer, decorated Christmas trees in cloisters and Cathedral, a huge stage, didn't see a Nativity crib?"
• "Inside is nice with wall mosaics (partly obscured by posters for the model railway exhibition)."
• "Charged us full price to go in when basically half the cathedral was off limits."
• "Went to an event here (Bowie by candlelight) so did not have the opportunity to look around the cathedral properly."