Carlisle Cathedral

Carlisle Cathedral Anglican Cathedral and former Augustinian Priory of St Mary (1122). Cathedral (1133 - date), dedicated at the Reformation to 'The Holy and Undivided Trinity'.
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Its unbroken stream of worship, Christian learning and hospitality continues to this day.

07/06/2026

Have you booked your child's space yet for our "Summer of Stars" Holiday Club?

Here's a reminder of the fun we had in 2025!

This year's camp for 8-12 year olds will run from Monday 20 - Friday 24 July, 9am-3pm each day.

This fun-filled week of activities will inspire creativity and imagination, build confidence, foster friendships and help children to connect with a Christian theme and feel part of Cathedral life. This year's theme is 'A Summer of Stars'. Children will enjoy a wide range of exciting activities around the Cathedral site with plenty of fun and games along the way.

The week will be led by an experienced primary school teacher, supported by members of the Cathedral community, ensuring a safe, engaging and enriching experience.

Get ready for five unforgettable days packed with creativity, adventure, and discovery in in the stunning setting of Carlisle Cathedral!

Limited places available, please head to www.carlislecathedral.org.uk/tickets to secure yours today.

Congratulations to choristers Isobel and Samuel who were awarded the Ronald Wilson Award for Music at Choral Eucharist o...
06/06/2026

Congratulations to choristers Isobel and Samuel who were awarded the Ronald Wilson Award for Music at Choral Eucharist on Trinity Sunday.

This is the second presentation of the awards, following the creation of the accolade earlier this year.

The Revd Canon Pete Gunstone, Canon Precentor at Carlisle Cathedral said “Choristerships in Carlisle Cathedral Choir offer the children and young people of this city and district an amazing opportunity to develop in musicianship within a Christian community. This development requires not just the dedication of all who support and animate the choral tradition, but also the commitment of the choristers themselves to learning music and musical skills and to working as a team. We are delighted to celebrate that Isobel and Samuel’s dedication to the whole life of being a chorister has been recognised by their peers and we are grateful to the Wilson family whose generous support enables this choral tradition to flourish.”

Read more about the Award here: carlislecathedral.org.uk/latest-news.

Does your child love to sing? Or do they have music lessons? Is your child currently in Year 3-6? If so, the Cathedral Choir Auditions are coming up and we'd love to hear from you! Find out more and apply here: carlislecathedral.org.uk/worship/choirs/how-to-join/

As part of  , we asked members of our team "Why do you volunteer?".Barbara said "I enjoy volunteering, meeting nice peop...
06/06/2026

As part of , we asked members of our team "Why do you volunteer?".

Barbara said "I enjoy volunteering, meeting nice people and helping the cathedral."

Susan added "I enjoy sharing the cathedral's hospitality and beauty with all who visit"

THANK YOU to everyone who gives their time to support the mission of Carlisle Cathedral. Every minute given is greatly appreciated.

Want to join the team? Find out more about volunteering here: carlislecathedral.org.uk/volunteering

Did you know...🎶 Tucked inside the organ’s case are more than 4,000 pipes from tiny pencil‑sized peeps to towering tubes...
05/06/2026

Did you know...

🎶 Tucked inside the organ’s case are more than 4,000 pipes from tiny pencil‑sized peeps to towering tubes taller than a giraffe!

🎶Our “Father Willis” organ was commissioned in 1856 making it a majestic 170‑year‑old musical time machine still roaring into the 21st century.

🎶With 72 stops, our organists juggle more buttons, levers, and controls than the pilot of a small aircraft.

🎶The organ plays daily, powering worship, lifting voices, and supporting the Cathedral’s choirs from morning rehearsals to evensong.

🎶Henry “Father” Willis, born in 1821, built around 1,000 organs in his lifetime, reshaping British organ building and leaving Carlisle one of his finest legacies.

🎶Our organ isn’t just historic, it’s hardworking. Every year, it supports more than 500 Cathedral services, concerts and events.

🎶The dramatic west‑facing pipes soar to 32‑foot tall, half the length of a blue whale.

This amazing instrument is now in need of careful renewal: to secure the long-term health, reliability and musical integrity of an instrument of national significance, ensuring it can continue to serve worship, education and cultural life for decades to come.

Find out more and pledge your support for this historic project by visiting carlislecathedral.org.uk/heavenly-voices-mighty-sound/

05/06/2026

Make the most of your visit to the market tomorrow - look what else you can do while you are here!

Live Music at 11am and again at 1pm from the Tailgate Buskers 🎼

Free Exhibition - Heavy Metal: 900 years of Bellringing at the Cathedral

See 'The Nation's Favourite Stained Glass Window'!

Carlisle Cathedral Cafe open all day for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cakes!

Carlisle Cathedral Gift Shop for unique gifts and souvenirs (10am - 4pm)

The Cathedral itself is open all day - when was the last time you popped in to see our starlight ceiling?

🌟 VACANCIES REMINDER 🌟There are several vacancies that we are looking to fulfil at present:• Director of Music• Executiv...
05/06/2026

🌟 VACANCIES REMINDER 🌟

There are several vacancies that we are looking to fulfil at present:
• Director of Music
• Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer
• Café and Catering Team Members (both permanent and temporary contracts available)

Please visit www.carlislecathedral.org.uk/join-our-team to find out more and apply.

What do a sweet wrapper, half an envelope and a 1920s travel itinerary have in common? They are all part of a new displa...
04/06/2026

What do a sweet wrapper, half an envelope and a 1920s travel itinerary have in common?

They are all part of a new display in the Fratry Hall celebrating the little traces left behind in books by their readers.

'Between the Pages: The Humble Bookmark' shows some of the usual - and not so usual - page holders found in Carlisle Cathedral's library books as the Collections team continue their work to create the first full electronic library catalogue for the Cathedral's collection.

Please do call in to the Fratry Hall to have a look!

04/06/2026

🎶 Does your child love to sing? Or do they have music lessons? Is your child currently in Year 3-6? If so, the Cathedral Choir Auditions are coming up! 🎶

Boys and girls are eligible to join the Cathedral Choir as probationers once they reach Year 4 (younger children are encouraged to join Carlisle Cantate). A good ear and a love of singing are essential. Previous musical training can be helpful, but is not essential. A child’s reading ability is also taken into consideration.

Life as a Cathedral chorister is challenging, rewarding and exciting – all at the same time! While offering a first-rate musical education, it also teaches some of the most important lessons for life, such as self-discipline and working together as a team.

Auditions for both boys and girls currently in Year 3-6 will be held on Saturday 13 June, 2026, when prospective choristers and their parents are able to come to the Cathedral to find out more about the Choir. There is an opportunity to meet the Cathedral musicians and some current members of the Choir informally over refreshments. In addition, parents are able to spend a short time with one of the Cathedral Clergy on their own to talk through the commitments while our musicians do some singing with each child.

The closing date for applications is Monday 8 June.

Further details about the choir and an application form can be found here:
carlislecathedral.org.uk/worship/choirs/how-to-join/

Here our Choir sings Franz Schubert's Mass in G at a recent event that celebrated Heavenly Voices: Mighty Sound, our organ restoration project.

As part of  , we asked members of our team "Why do you volunteer?".Judith said "You meet interesting people and it gives...
03/06/2026

As part of , we asked members of our team "Why do you volunteer?".

Judith said "You meet interesting people and it gives a routine to your week".

Les added "To help share the city's heritage and history with visitors".

THANK YOU to everyone who gives their time to support the mission of Carlisle Cathedral. Every minute given is greatly appreciated.

Would you like to find out more about volunteering at Carlisle Cathedral? Please visit carlislecathedral.org.uk/volunteering/ or why not join us for one of our Volunteer Taster Sessions?

This Friday, 5 June and Friday 12 June, from 1pm - 3pm, we are holding volunteer taster sessions for anyone who is interested in finding out more. (Please note that session on 12 June will focus on volunteering during the Museum of the Moon installation this autumn).

So we can prepare for the session, please book your place by completing this form http://bit.ly/4wKq5GX. Please meet by the Cathedral main door at 1pm.

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you!

Come and hear the Boy and Girl Choristers, Consort and Lay Clerks singing together,  accompanied by the Cathedral organ,...
03/06/2026

Come and hear the Boy and Girl Choristers, Consort and Lay Clerks singing together, accompanied by the Cathedral organ, at The Cathedral Choirs' Summer Concert!

The programme will include Louis Vierne's Messe Solennelle, Herbert Howell's Te Deum (Collegium Regale), and David Briggs' hauntingly beautiful Ubi Caritas.

📅 Friday 26 June
⏰ 7.30pm
🔗 www.carlislecathedral.org.uk/tickets

Address

Carlisle
CA38TZ

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