Pictures of Lichfield Cathedral

a Cathedral in the town of Lichfield, in the county of Staffordshire

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About Lichfield Cathedral

Most recently Lichfield Cathedral has been the scene of an important archaeological find which has astounded the world of archaeology and historians. It is a rare sculpture of an angel, quite possibly from Saxon times, it was discovered during recent excavations, with the colours of the sculpture being as vibrant today as it must have been when first cast.

Lichfield is the only English Cathedral to preserve three stone spires, these are intricately decorated, very graceful and can be seen as a landmark from most parts of the town, they are known locally as "The Ladies of the Vale". The Cathedral also has the distinction of once being the seat of an archbishopric. The See was established by St.Chad, in 669, as the centre of Christianity in the Kingdom of Mercia. During the reign of Offa in the 8th-century, Mercia became the most important of all the English kingdom's. At this time Offa sought and was granted papal permission to elevate his bishop to the eminent status of archbishop. History records that Offa's successors, unable to maintain the distinction the kingdom enjoyed under Offa, soon lost Mercia's pre-eminence and in 1803 Lichfield was down-graded to become again a bishopric.

As we look at the majestic building before us, what we see is a Cathedral of the 13th-century, it's dominant feature is the great West facade, built at this time. This has the overall appearance of a magnificent screen, filled with tiers of rising niches containing sculpture. From the exterior these statues over-shadow the small entrance doors at the base and the great west window.

The Civil War and Cromwell's troops caused much damage to the Cathedral, the central tower was destroyed and lead and other metals were stolen. Lichfield lay as it was until after the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 when the task of restoration began. The Cathedral remains one of England's most beautiful, despite the 18th and 19th-century practice amongst restorers to replace rather than restore and visitors can see restoration work by both Wyatt and Sir Gilbert Scott. This is a magnificent house of God which is well worth your time if only to see the amazing facade showing more than a hundred carved statues, but to enter through its doors is to enter a world of church grace and overwhelming beauty.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Lichfield Cathedral.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Lichfield Cathedral

Tamworth Castle	(6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Drayton Manor Park	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Walsall Arboretum	(8.7 miles, 13.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Cannock Chase Country Park	(9.7 miles, 15.5 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Shugborough Estate	(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Kingsbury Water Park	(10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Sandwell Valley Country Park	(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Aston Hall	(12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Conkers	(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
Moira Furnace Museum	(13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Staffordshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Lichfield Cathedral

Tamworth, in the county of Staffordshire (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SE)
In the 8th century the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia was ruled from Tamworth. Later in AD 913, a fortress was built here by the daughter of King Alfred.
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Cannock, in the county of Staffordshire (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction W)
Think of Cannock and nearly always there springs to life a vision of the wonderful landscape of Cannock Chase, originally a giant "Royal Forest" gradually reduced in size and grazed by numerous flocks of sheep until the turn of the 20th century.
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Bodymoor Heath, in the county of Warwickshire (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SE)
This lovely rural area is well known as the home of the training ground for Aston Villa Football Club.
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Kingsbury, in the county of Warwickshire (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction SE)
Kingsbury lies in a quiet corner of Warwickshire, it is most notable for its water-park which offers an oasis of calm for visitors escaping the hurried life of Birmingham and other nearby cities and large towns.
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Burton upon Trent, in the county of Staffordshire (11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction NE)
Burton-on-Trent is an attractive town, it has a pleasing market place surrounded by pleasant properties, some being timber-frame black and white.
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Walton-on-the-Hill, in the county of Staffordshire (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction NW)
Walton on the hill is a pretty village a short distance from the favoured town of Epsom and the famous "downs" racecourse.
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Tutbury, in the county of Staffordshire (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction NE)
This picturesque little town in the Dove Valley is dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle.
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Birmingham, a Historic City in the county of West Midlands (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction S)
Birmingham, Britain's second city, known as the city of a thousand trades, has long been recognised as one of the World's most important manufacturing and commercial centres.
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Wolverhampton, in the county of West Midlands (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SW)
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Sudbury, in the county of Derbyshire (14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction N)
The village of Sudbury lies in a landscape of contrasts where old Royal hunting grounds meet with the industrial heritage of 19th-century England.
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All towns in Staffordshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Lichfield City Station	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Lichfield Trent Valley Station	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction E)
M6 Toll Junction T5	(2.5 miles, 3.9 km, direction S)
M6 Toll Junction T4	(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction S)
Birmingham International Airport	(16.6 miles, 26.8 km, direction S)
East Midlands Airport	(23.6 miles, 38.0 km, direction NE)
Lichfield Cathedral to London	(109.3 miles, 175.8 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Lichfield Cathedral

Hotel Name
The George Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Express By Holiday Inn Lichfield	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction S)
Menzies Barons Court	(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction SW)
Fairlawns At Aldridge, Hotel And Spa	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SW)
Gungate Hotel	(6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction SE)
Moor Hall Hotel & Spa	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction S)
Drayton Court Hotel	(7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction SE)
Ramada Birmingham North, Cannock	(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction W)
The Royal Hotel	(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction S)
Highfield Farm Guest House	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction S)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts