Gloucester Cathedral and the Close

The cathedral tower has dominated the Gloucester skyline for 550 years; whether you drop down from the Cotswolds or come in across the river you can't miss it. When it ceased to be a Benedictine abbey in 1540 the building and precinct passed to the newly-created Dean and Chapter. Relations between cathedral and city have occasionally been stormy - between 1738 and 1742 the corporation refused to attend services there and went to St Nicholas instead. The cathedral - which is exempt from planning permission - has a permanent team of stonemasons who constantly repair its fabric and add their own exquisite carvings to its wealth of ornament.

Worship still takes place daily, and everyone is welcome. There is a Choral Evensong every day except Monday when evening prayer is said. For details see www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk

The Cathedral is now also a star of the big screen, with the cloisters featuring as the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the 'Harry Potter' films.

The Cathedral also has an Education Centre, based at St Mary's Gate, one of the medieval gates of the ancient St Peter's Abbey.

School groups can 'time travel' and become medieval pilgrims or monks, explore the Cathedral through their senses or find out how stone masons left their mark. Groups can also participate in a session about Tudor life, run jointly with the Cathedral and Gloucester Folk Museum. For further information contact the Education Officer on 01452 521010 in term time.