Welcome

Welcome to Lichfield Cathedral - an ancient Cathedral full of life and wonder.

This is your cathedral, at the heart of the community and diocese. Come along for a visit, stop and reflect, take some time out, worship and feel at home.

Opening Times

From time to time our visitor opening hours are subject to change - please check our calendar, below, for specific dates before travelling.

Check the calendar for specific dates

* For Sunday Evening Prayer/Evensong, the quire gates will 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 will re-open directly after the service around 16:30.

Admission

Admission to the Cathedral for sightseeing is by voluntary donation. We suggest a contribution of £5 per person.

As a registered charity that receives no regular government funding, we rely on the generosity of our visitors to sustain our mission and preserve this sacred space for future generations.

Every donation, large or small, helps us keep the doors open, maintain the beauty of our building, and continue to serve our community. Thank you for your support.

Dog-Friendly

We're pleased to welcome visitors with well-behaved dogs into the Cathedral during their visit, Monday-Sunday during our visitor opening hours.*

We are requesting that owners ensure their dogs are well-behaved, on a short lead, accompanied at all times, and that they do not disturb other visitors.

We kindly ask that dogs are not brought into the Christmas Tree Festival, except for assistance dogs who are very welcome.

A note on Sunday Evensong: well-behaved dogs will be permitted to attend Sunday Evensong with their owners in the Nave only.

^{*This does not include evening events or services (except Sunday Evensong at 15:30 when held in The Quire).}

Lichfield Cathedral serves as a vibrant centre for musical expression, hosting a range of events, from pop concerts and orchestras to visiting choirs and recitals. Please note that rehearsals may occasionally result in higher noise levels - if this may impact your visit, we recommend calling ahead.

About St Chad

1350 years after his death, St Chad’s life is still an inspiration. His faith, humility and integrity are examples we can all live by.

Chad’s legacy shaped the region as we know it today. In his lifetime he bridged two warring kingdoms, covered vast distances on foot, and spoke engagingly and authentically of his faith.

The example of St Chad is one that points us to Jesus, leads us to examine our own faith and stand still in the mystery of God’s love.

Who was Chad?

Chad is the saint and bishop to whom Lichfield Cathedral is dedicated. Born to a noble family around 634, he was educated on Lindisfarne and spent time as Bishop of York and Abbot of Lastingham. When he was appointed Bishop of Mercia, one of the most powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Chad chose to centre his administration in Lichfield. He founded a church and a community here in 669 which became the religious heart of the kingdom.

Chad died in 672, much loved and revered. Bishop Hedda, his successor, consecrated the first cathedral in Lichfield on his burial site in 700. The shrine of St Chad grew quickly in importance and became one of the three most important centres of mediaeval pilgrimage in the country.

‘A holy man, of modest character, well-read in the Scripture, and diligently practising those things which he had learned therein.’

The Venerable Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People (completed around 731).