Southwell Minster

This was a very pleasant surprise. We were in the process of visiting the workhouse but decided to give the local church a look and it turned out that this village has a cathedral. A minster no less. I had lots of questions that were answered graciously by one of the clerical staff. The interior is breathtakingly beautiful and has two sections that are approximately 100 years apart. It's noticable that the styles of the two are different. The earlier is Norman whist the style of the latter is Gothic and the contrast is quite stark. Durham Cathedral has the same phenomenon.
I had it pointed out to me the classic builders mistake of starting from two ends and working your way in. A careful observation of the roof shows the attempt to obfuscate the error. The stained glass windows are spectacular and contain two styles of origin which is quite novel. The top teir is original and English but the bottom is French and depicts the people of Paris in the time of Marie Antoinette. How it obtained the glass was I'm told a donation from a very unlikely source. If you want to know then visit and all will be revealed. And absolute gem in the middle of nowhere. Completely unspoilt.

Awesome place a must see for all ages!
If you like visiting old church buildings it one to put on your list!
The curators and other are very helpful.
Go to the gift shop outside the Minster for your trinkets there is a better selection.

Absolutely loved our visit not only is it a beautiful place with wonderful gardens the staff and volunteers are brilliant and knowledgeable and very happy to share their knowledge.
We also enjoyed an absolutely delightful lunch in the restaurant.

A pretty, large church with a friendly and very welcoming team. It was the best welcoming I have ever had from a church so I was really impressed. The church garden is truly beautiful too and well worth looking around. I could spend some time in there easily and would love a better look around (unfortunately for me they had an event about to start soon but I still got a quick look around thanks to the really friendly staff). I must say that the whole of Southwell was lovely and the people that lived there all seemed really friendly. I'm really glad I visited the area.

Such a peaceful place, just in time for Evensong beautiful choral song...lovely garden to walk in and the grand hall to explore. The sun shone what a glorious day!

We’ve been a few times during covid but today was the first time it’s completely been open. What a lovely welcome and informative stewards, well worth a visit just to listen to then.

Interesting old minster, over 900 years of history. Free to enter and wander about. Amazing details all over the place.. Warm and cosy inside too.. Worth a visit..

Southwell Minster as it is best known is Grade 1 listed and actually a Cathedral for the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham too and what a splendid place it is . The stone carvings here to my unprofessional eye are remarkably well preserved something to do with it being refounded in 1543 saved it from damage . The earliest church on the site was founded by Paulinus Archbishop of York in 627 . My favourite King , King Eadwig granted land to Bishop Oskytel in 956 who established a Minster Church here . There are many things to see all round this marvellous place . A magnificent Crucifix gazes down on you from the ceiling and I loved the metal stations of the cross . One carved figure head love him or loath him resembles President Trump it is said , I could see a likeness . There are some superb stained glass windows which as with many alter the atmosphere with the time of day . The guides are great very friendly and knowledgeable. You can see the lit up remains of the old floor covered by glass . A thoroughly enjoyable visit in the very picturesque setting of Southwell.