#MedievalDiscoveryDay at Chester Cathedral

Get ready to experience the medieval history of Chester Cathedral in a fun, immersive heritage day to be held on Saturday 11 September where you can spend all day with the Cathedral’s Works Department – the team responsible for caring for the Cathedral building and its heritage - learning about the skills that built the Cathedral. 

This jam-packed day will provide unique opportunities for the public to see heritage skills such as stonemasonry, blacksmithing, hot lime works and beekeeping as well as an opportunity to purchase some of their historic wares at the Works Yard.  In the Cathedral there will be medieval objects to handle and learn about, live demonstrations of the chanted music sung by the monks, regular tours throughout the day, an open rehearsal, medieval-themed evensong (no charge) and an organ recital by the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Philip Rushforth. 

With the chance to get in the mindset of a medieval monk and understand how medieval Abbeys were built and used, the #MedievalDiscoveryDay is the perfect day out for families and individuals alike, with plenty to see, learn, and enjoy.  

The Works Department are supported in this day by the work of the University of Chester’s Mobility of Objects’ Arts and Humanities Research Council Funded Project.  This includes a pop-up exhibition which will be available in the Vestibule of the Cathedral where visitors will get a chance to handle medieval and early modern objects excavated in and around Chester and discover the stories they have to tell.  Handle unseen everyday objects from the past: shoes, keys, tiles, pottery, ceramics, rings, pilgrim badges and devotional tokens. 

Fun for the all the family, with plenty for children to do and learn! Hearty food will be available to buy at the Nature Gardens and from the Cathedral Refectory.