Five Years of Sand, Sun and Summer Fun. The Beach is back!
Monday 27 July – Sunday 6 September
Returning for its fifth year, The Beach at Lichfield Cathedral has become a much-loved summer tradition, welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy free family fun in the heart of the city.
Bring your buckets and spades, build sandcastles, sit back and relax, and enjoy a taste of the seaside ...at Lichfield Cathedral!
Whether you're visiting for an hour or spending the whole day exploring, The Beach is the perfect place to make summer memories with family and friends.
The Beach is FREE for all to enjoy | No booking required
What's Happening on the Beach?
We're inviting everyone to come and enjoy the space.
Build sandcastles with the kids, challenge friends to a digging competition, settle into a deckchair with a coffee, or simply enjoy watching the world go by.
The Beach is a place to play, relax and spend time together during the summer holidays.
Refreshments are available nearby from SALT, making it easy to spend a few hours or a whole day enjoying everything the cathedral has to offer.
Make a Day of It
The Beach is just one part of A Whale of a Summer, our season of exhibitions, family activities, trails, talks and special events inspired by the wonders of the ocean and encouraging us to think about our shared responsibility to care for it.
Available Daily
Please check our calendar carefully for any updates to visitor opening hours before you travel.
WHALES by Tessa Campbell Fraser
Marvel at the spectacular Whales installation by Tessa Campbell Fraser suspended within the cathedral.
Ocean Photographer of the Year
Explore breathtaking images celebrating the beauty, wonder and fragility of our oceans.
Journey with Jonah Trail
Pick up a free trail sheet and follow Jonah's adventure through the cathedral. With things to spot, questions to think about and activities to try along the way, it's a fun way for children and grown-ups to explore the cathedral together.
On Selected Dates
Fin-tastic Families
Join our drop-in craft sessions and help create a giant underwater community display filled with colourful sea creatures inspired by the Whales installation and Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition. More info...
Fun & Faith: Jonah and the Whale
Enjoy family-friendly sessions of games, crafts, songs and interactive storytelling inspired by Jonah's incredible journey. Continue the adventure with the Journey with Jonah Trail, available daily throughout the summer holidays. More info...
Wisdom from the Waves: Reframing Menopause - Ticketed
A unique programme of talks, conversations, guided tours and a Menopause Café exploring the remarkable connection between whales and humans, and what it can teach us about perimenopause, menopause and beyond. More info & tickets
The Whale! by Circo Rum Ba Ba - Ticketed
Step inside a giant inflatable whale for an unforgettable family theatre experience combining puppetry, music and storytelling. More info & tickets
View the Full Summer Programme HERE
Planning Your Visit to The Beach
- The Beach is FREE for everyone to enjoy
- No booking required
- Buckets and spades welcome
- Bring sun cream and hats on warm days
- Be prepared for the great British weather
If the sun is shining, you may wish to bring a parasol or beach umbrella. You're always welcome to step inside the cathedral to cool down (or dodge the rain!) and continue your adventure beneath the whales.
Looking for shade? The north side of the cathedral offers a lovely shaded spot to relax.
Keeping the Beach Fun for Everyone
- Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
- Please treat the space with respect and help us keep it enjoyable for everyone.
- Use the recycling and waste bins provided.
- Users of the beach and associated activities do so at their own risk.
- Please take care when removing footwear and using the sand area.
- Lichfield Cathedral cannot accept responsibility for loss of personal belongings.
- Visitors who damage Cathedral property, or items on loan to the Cathedral, may be liable for repair or replacement costs.
The Beach is made possible through the generous support of:
The Friends of Lichfield Cathedral