A complete visitor guide to Lichfield Cathedral. Find up-to-date ticket prices, opening hours, and information for your visit to the historic triple-spired landmark.
Lichfield Cathedral is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires, and when you first spot them rising above the Staffordshire countryside, you understand why they’re called the “Ladies of the Vale.” The central spire reaches 77 metres, flanked by two slightly shorter western spires – an unusual configuration that makes this cathedral instantly recognizable from miles away.
What struck me when I first visited was how different it feels from the grander British cathedrals like York Minster or Canterbury Cathedral. Lichfield is smaller, more intimate, and sits in one of England’s most complete cathedral closes – a peaceful precinct that still retains its medieval layout. It also happens to be dog-friendly, which is refreshingly unusual for an English cathedral.
Quick answer: Lichfield Cathedral tickets and opening hours
Admission is by voluntary donation – the suggested amount is £5 per person, but you can pay what you wish or nothing at all. The cathedral is open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm. Dogs are welcome on leads. Entry is genuinely free – there’s no ticketed system, just a donation box.
At a glance
| Admission | Voluntary donation (£5 suggested) |
| Opening hours | Mon-Sat: 10:00-17:00 | Sun: 12:00-17:00 |
| Address | 19A The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LD |
| Free for | Everyone – no admission charge |
| Dogs | Welcome on short leads |
| Phone | 01543 306 100 |
Is Lichfield Cathedral free to enter?
Yes, completely free. Unlike the likes Canterbury or Lincoln Cathedral that charge fixed admission fees, Lichfield operates on a voluntary donation basis. They suggest £5 per person, but there’s no obligation to pay anything. You simply walk in through the west doors during opening hours.
This is increasingly unusual among major English cathedrals. Many have moved to ticketed entry systems to fund maintenance and conservation work, but Lichfield maintains the traditional open-door policy. As a registered charity receiving no regular government funding, they rely entirely on visitor generosity to keep the building maintained and services running.
The cathedral’s running costs are substantial – like most medieval buildings, it requires constant maintenance, conservation work, heating, lighting, staff, and upkeep of the music program. Your donation, whatever the amount, goes directly toward preserving this 13th-century building for future generations.
What time does Lichfield Cathedral open?
Opening hours are straightforward and consistent year-round:
Monday to Saturday:
- 10:00-17:00
Sunday:
- 12:00-17:00
Important note: Opening hours are subject to change for special services, concerts, and cathedral events. Before travelling specifically to visit, check the cathedral’s calendar to verify the building will be open.
Sunday Evensong caveat: On Sundays, the quire gates close at 14:30, restricting access to the east end of the cathedral (including St Chad’s Head Chapel, the Lady Chapel, and Chapter House). The gates reopen around 16:30 after Evensong finishes. If you want to see these areas on a Sunday, visit before 14:30.
Rehearsals: As a working cathedral with an active music program, rehearsals happen regularly and can result in higher noise levels. If this might affect your visit, call ahead on 01543 306 100.
Do I need to book Lichfield Cathedral tickets in advance?
No. There are no tickets to book – you simply turn up during opening hours and walk in. The cathedral operates on a first-come, first-served basis for general visitors.
However, if you want to join a guided tour (offered daily at 11:00 and 14:00, Monday-Saturday), spaces are limited and booking is recommended. Tower tours and library tours also require advance booking. Check the cathedral website for tour schedules and booking details.
Group visits should be arranged in advance by contacting the cathedral office.
The only medieval cathedral with three spires
Construction of the current Gothic cathedral began in the early 13th century, though a cathedral has stood on this site since 700 AD when Bishop Hedda consecrated the first building over St Chad’s burial place. The Saxon cathedral lies beneath the present structure, and before that, there was St Mary’s Church, possibly dating back to 659 AD.
The building we see today took about 130 years to complete. The choir dates from 1200, the transepts from 1220-1240, and the nave was started around 1260. The octagonal Chapter House was completed in 1249 and is considered one of the cathedral’s most beautiful spaces. The Lady Chapel, finished in the 1330s, marked the completion of the main structure. The three spires followed, with the central spire completed in 1315 and the western spires added later.
Those three spires – the central one at 77 metres and the western pair at about 58 metres – make Lichfield unique. It’s the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. The two others in Britain with three spires are much later: Truro Cathedral (1880-1910) and St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh (1874-1879). Locally, the spires are affectionately called the “Ladies of the Vale,” visible for miles across the surrounding countryside.
Civil War devastation
Lichfield Cathedral suffered more damage during the English Civil War than any other English cathedral. The Close’s defensive walls and moat made it an ideal fortress, and it was besieged three times between 1643 and 1646 as control swung between Royalists and Parliamentarians.
In 1643, Prince Rupert’s engineers used what’s believed to be the first explosive mine in England to breach the defences. By 1646, when the Parliamentarians finally secured victory, the central spire had been demolished, the roofs were ruined, all the medieval stained glass was smashed, statues destroyed, monuments defaced, and documents burned. The cathedral was left in ruins.
Bishop Hacket began restoration work in the 1660s after the Restoration of Charles II, aided by substantial funds from the restored monarchy. But it took until the 19th century for the full extent of Civil War damage to be repaired. The Victorian restoration was led by George Gilbert Scott, whose work shaped much of what visitors see today.
Inside the cathedral
The interior is a mix of medieval Gothic structure and Victorian restoration. The nave measures 113 metres long and 21 metres wide – not enormous by cathedral standards, but the proportions feel elegant rather than overwhelming.
The Chapter House, completed in 1249, is octagonal and houses the cathedral’s greatest treasure: the Lichfield Gospels (also called St Chad’s Gospels). This 8th-century illuminated manuscript contains the gospels of Matthew and Mark and part of Luke, written in Latin with some marginalia in Old Welsh. It dates from 720-740 and has similarities to the Lindisfarne Gospels. The manuscript is on permanent display along with the Lichfield Angel, an 8th-century carved stone panel showing an angel with remarkable detail.
The Lady Chapel at the east end contains the 16th-century Herkenrode Glass – Flemish stained glass windows that were purchased from Herkenrode Abbey in Belgium and installed here in the 1800s after the abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution. They’re some of the finest examples of medieval Flemish glass in England.
The choir stalls are Victorian replacements but feature intricate carved oak work with misericords (the small carved ledges on the undersides of the seats that allowed monks to rest while standing during long services).
Francis Chantrey’s sculpture The Sleeping Children (1817) is a moving memorial to two young sisters who died in tragic circumstances in 1812. It’s considered one of the finest pieces of funerary sculpture in any English cathedral.
The west front is Victorian Gothic, heavily restored by Scott, featuring a mixture of original and reproduction statuary. Above the south doorway stand seven figures carved in Roman cement representing early church fathers.
What’s included with your visit to Lichfield Cathedral?
Since admission is free, everything is included:
- Entry to the main cathedral and all chapels
- Access to the Chapter House to see the Lichfield Gospels and Lichfield Angel
- The Lady Chapel with Herkenrode Glass
- The choir and nave
- Prayer and quiet reflection areas
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome on short leads
Not included:
- Specialist guided tours (charged separately, booking required)
- Tower tours (charged separately, booking required)
- Library tours (charged separately, booking required)
Dogs at Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield is genuinely dog-friendly, which is unusual for English cathedrals. Well-behaved dogs are welcome Monday-Sunday during visitor opening hours, provided they’re on a short lead and accompanied at all times.
Dogs can even attend Sunday Evensong with their owners (in the nave only, not in the choir). The only restriction is that dogs aren’t permitted during the Christmas Tree Festival, except for assistance dogs.
If you’re travelling with a dog and want to visit a cathedral without leaving them outside, Lichfield is one of your best options.
Things to do near Lichfield Cathedral
The cathedral sits within The Close, a peaceful medieval precinct that’s worth exploring. The surrounding city also has several attractions within easy walking distance:
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum (400 metres, 5 minutes) – The birthplace and former home of the famous 18th-century writer and lexicographer who compiled the first comprehensive English dictionary. £6 adult admission. Quirky museum covering Johnson’s life and 18th-century Lichfield. Allow 45-60 minutes.
Erasmus Darwin House (600 metres, 7 minutes) – Georgian townhouse museum dedicated to Charles Darwin’s grandfather, a physician, natural philosopher, and founding member of the Lunar Society. £6 adult admission. Small but fascinating, especially if you’re interested in 18th-century science. Allow 45 minutes.
Beacon Park (800 metres, 10 minutes) – Large public park with formal gardens, play areas, and Minster Pool. Free. Perfect for a picnic or post-cathedral walk. The park hosts regular events and has a café.
Stowe Pool and Minister Pool (immediately adjacent) – Two medieval pools created by damming Trunkfield Brook to provide water and fish for the cathedral community. Free to walk around. Popular with locals for feeding ducks and walking. Beautiful views back toward the cathedral from the far side.
The Old Grammar School (200 metres, 3 minutes) – Dating from 1577, this building is becoming home to Lichfield Discovered, a local history group working to celebrate the city’s heritage. Check ahead for opening times and exhibitions.
Practical tips for visiting Lichfield Cathedral
- Location: 19A The Close, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 7LD
- Getting there: Lichfield has two train stations – Lichfield City and Lichfield Trent Valley. Both are about 15-20 minutes walk to the cathedral. There’s paid parking nearby at Stowe Pool Car Park and Cathedral Car Park.
- Time needed: Allow 60-90 minutes for a thorough visit if you’re interested in the architecture, art, and history. 30-45 minutes if you’re just having a quick look around.
- Guided tours: Daily at 11:00 and 14:00 (Monday-Saturday), lasting about 45 minutes.
- Photography: Generally permitted for personal use, but check current policy.
- Café: There’s a small café near the cathedral in The Close serving light refreshments.
- Shop: The cathedral shop sells books, gifts, and souvenirs, with proceeds supporting the cathedral.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access is available, as are Blue Badge parking space. Contact the cathedral office or visit the accessibility page on the website for specific information about wheelchair access and facilities.
- Dress code: No strict dress code, but dress respectfully as it’s a working church.
- Sunday visiting: Remember that the east end closes at 14:30 on Sundays for Evensong. Visit before 14:30 if you want to see the Lady Chapel and Chapter House.
- Services: Attending services is free and open to all. Check the website for the full worship schedule.
St Chad and pilgrimage
The cathedral is dedicated to St Chad, who became Bishop of Mercia in 669 and established his seat here in Lichfield. He died in 672 and was buried on this site. Bishop Hedda built the first cathedral over his tomb in 700, and St Chad’s shrine quickly became one of medieval England’s three most important pilgrimage destinations.
The shrine was destroyed during the Reformation, but St Chad’s head is preserved in a reliquary at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham (a 19th-century Roman Catholic cathedral). A modern shrine to St Chad has been reinstated in Lichfield Cathedral’s Lady Chapel, marking the site’s 1,350-year connection to the saint.
FAQs about Lichfield Cathedral
How much does it cost to visit Lichfield Cathedral? Admission is by voluntary donation. The suggested amount is £5 per person, but there’s no obligation to pay. You can visit completely free.
When was Lichfield Cathedral built? The current Gothic cathedral was built between approximately 1200 and 1340. A cathedral has stood on this site since 700 AD.
Why does Lichfield Cathedral have three spires? It’s the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. Various theories exist – one suggests they represent Lichfield’s brief status as an archbishopric (787-803), with three spires symbolizing England’s three archbishoprics. The truth remains unclear.
What happened in the Civil War? The cathedral was besieged three times between 1643-1646 and suffered more damage than any other English cathedral. The central spire was demolished, roofs destroyed, and all medieval glass smashed.
Can I bring my dog? Yes! Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome Monday-Sunday during visitor hours. They can even attend Sunday Evensong in the nave.
Do I need to book in advance? Not for general visiting. Just turn up during opening hours. Guided tours, tower tours, and group visits should be booked ahead.
What are the Lichfield Gospels? An 8th-century illuminated manuscript (720-740 AD) containing the gospels of Matthew and Mark and part of Luke. It’s on permanent display in the Chapter House.
Is there a café? Yes, there’s a small café in The Close near the cathedral serving light refreshments.
What time is Evensong? Check the cathedral website for the current worship schedule, as times can vary. On Sundays, Evensong is typically at 15:30.
How long should I spend at Lichfield Cathedral? Most visitors spend 60-90 minutes exploring thoroughly. Allow less if you’re just having a quick look, or more if you’re taking a guided tour or attending a service.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical tips for visiting Kenilworth Castle.
- A practical guide to visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Visitor tips for Stokesay Castle in Shropshire.
- What you need to know before visiting Buildwas Abbey in Shropshire.
- How to do Alton Towers with an 8-year-old.
