New Lonely Planet book features Cathedral

Exploring Norwich Cathedral’s centuries-old architecture has been named as one of the top 500 unmissable experiences across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The Cathedral is among the landmarks picked to feature in the Lonely Planet’s latest publication – Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist – which was published on August 13.

Readers are encouraged to “Marvel at medieval masonry in Norwich Cathedral,” and the spire, cloisters and collection of medieval roof bosses are all highlighted in the new book.

The entry for the Cathedral reads: “Work started on Norwich Cathedral in 1096, resulting in a soaring, barbed 315ft spire and, fast-forward to today, one of the most complete Norman cathedrals in England.

“It’s the interior that really catches your breath – both the sheer size of the nave and the superb Gothic rib vaulting.

“Among the spidery stonework are 1200 mesmerising, ornate ceiling bosses – more than any other cathedral in the Christian world. Together they represent one of the finest achievements of English medieval masonry.

“You can study equally exquisite carved bosses in even closer detail in the cathedral’s extensive, two-storey cloisters. These serene spaces, started in 1297, are unique in England. As the sun sculpts slanting shadows you can almost sense the 100 monks who lived here, and the masons who chiselled the stone.”

All of the entries in the book were picked by Lonely Planet’s community of travel experts.

Lonely Planet’s VP of Experience, Tom Hall, said: “Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist brings together the UK’s most compelling sights and experiences, ranging from world-class museums and giant cathedrals to rollicking festivals, inky lochs and tiny pubs.”

Norwich Cathedral’s listing in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist comes as hundreds of people are enjoying experiencing the Cathedral in a new way thanks to the Seeing It Differently project which has seen a 55ft helter skelter spring up in the Nave to enable people to get closer than ever before to the building’s historic roof bosses.

Seeing It Differently, which runs until Sunday 18 August, aims to open up conversations about faith. Alongside taking a ride on the slide, people can also enjoy many other activities, including the chance to lie down and look up at the Cathedral’s incredible ceiling, take part in a trust trail in the Cloisters, and sit inside a Bible box and be completely surrounded by the word of God.

Throughout the whole of the Seeing It Differently project, Norwich Cathedral’s regular rhythm of worship will continue as normal.

Lonely Planet’s Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist is out now and costs £19.99.