Hello Readers!

Gloucester Cathedral is a large point of interest for anyone visiting the Cotswolds area. It magnificent archways, detailed carvings, and stunning stained glass creates and awe inspiring atmosphere for locals and travelers alike. It was built in approximately 1048 and the original foundations can be viewed by taking a tour of the crypts, which take you beneath the cathedral.

Visitors are also welcomed to join one of two tower tours each day, during which you climb an extremely small spiral staircase (I barely fit through some of the spaces with ease and I am 5'4") to see the bell tower and stand at the highest point of the cathedral. This is not for the faint of heart - it made my heart jump to look down from the highest height.
                                                      

 

If you are lucky enough to be there during one of the times the organist practices or even during the daily evensongs, the sound of the organ fills the cathedral and echoes throughout every chamber. The ethereal quality of a soft piece of music floats gently while the loudest and most powerful pieces can be felt through the floor.

 

It was by mere coincidence that I got to go up to the Organ Loft. On Sunday right before the service was about to start, a man who we had seen photographing throughout the church before the service, sat in front of us and introduced himself. Charlie's son sang in the boy's choir and Charlie took photos and videos as a sort of documentary. He asked how we were enjoying the cathedral, to which we emphatically answered we were! He asked if we had been on any tours yet, which we had, but I mentioned that it seemed impossible to get into the Organ Loft. He casually spoke up that he'd talk to Jonathan (the organist) after the service and see if we could go up! From the loft, you could see down on the church - a very unique view.


Organ Console

Standing in the Organ Loft

 Stay posted for more soon!

Love,

Beth