The cathedral is the burial place of St Chad, whose relics were housed here until the Reformation.
The St Chad Gospels are older than the Book of Kells and are still used in special liturgical services today.
The 8th-century Lichfield Angel was painted with ochre, white, and red pigment, traces of which remain visible.
The west front is adorned with 113 statues, many of which were added during the Victorian restoration.
The site features a rare collection of Herkenrode stained glass, purchased from a dissolved Cistercian abbey in Belgium in the 19th century.
The three spires are unique in the UK and were designed to be visible for miles across the Staffordshire landscape.
Lichfield Cathedral is the only medieval cathedral in the United Kingdom with three spires, known locally as the 'Ladies of the Vale.' The current structure dates primarily from the 12th century, built on the site of an older 7th-century Saxon church. It houses the Lichfield Angel, an 8th-century carved limestone panel discovered beneath the nave floor in 2003. The cathedral collection includes the St Chad Gospels, an illuminated manuscript dating to approximately 730 AD. The site once contained the shrine of St Chad, which served as a major pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages. During the English Civil War, the building suffered significant damage, resulting in the loss of its original medieval stained glass and the collapse of the central spire. Major restoration efforts occurred in the 17th and 19th centuries to repair structural damage. The cathedral remains the seat of the Bishop of Lichfield.
From the edge of Stowe Pool looking toward the cathedral to capture the reflection of the three spires in the water.
Check the cathedral website for scheduled organ recitals or choral evensong to hear the acoustics at their best.
Visit the Chapter House to view the St Chad Gospels and the Lichfield Angel in a quiet, climate-controlled environment.
Take a walk around the surrounding 'Close' to see the preserved 18th-century houses and the moat-side gardens.
Missing the narrow staircase leading to the upper library if it is open, as it offers a perspective of the building's scale not seen from the floor.
Occasionally closes sections for private events or choir practice; check the official calendar for major ceremonies.
Maintain silence in the nave during services, remove hats, and avoid photographing areas where worship is actively taking place.
