Pay to meet God !

Saturday was a gorgeous summer's day and I had taken the family to Ely to watch Liam and I Morris dancing. Outside the Cathedral, during a short break, little Bronwen expressed an interest in going to see inside the big Church. I took her into the entrance and her eyes lit up. " Daddy has got to dance in a minute'" I said, "I'll ask Mummy to take you".

Now, Morris dancing and loose change don't mix, all that leaping about with hankies causes the loose change to fly about all over the place. So, I rarely take any money with me and Natasha had left her purse at home. "Not a problem", I said, referring to the imposing entrance fee desk, "just mention that you are Ordained", (whether C of E or not, Cathedrals usually allow Ordained Ministers in FOC). Five minutes later Natasha returned saying that they demanded proof (she was of course in civvies). Poor Bronwen wasn't happy at all, and I mumbled something along the lines of, just what I would expect from the money grabbing Church of England.

I have always been very anti an entrance fee for visiting a Cathedral. Of course I know God doesn't live there, but there is something about an ancient building that connects many centuries of belief - and not necessarily predominantly Christian. Certainly not predominately Church of England, bearing in mind that they stole the Churches from the Catholics some 500 years ago and generally trashed them. That aside there is something special about them. Indeed whilst there is still a state sanctioned religion (the C of E) its places of worship SHOULD be accessible FOC to all who live here. After all, they can't have it both ways, they are quick to jump up and down about the parochial system stating that they have "cure of souls" of every person in England, but when it comes to accessing their cathedrals , it’s all about cash. Yes, these buildings have to be maintained, I understand that, but the C of E isn’t poor by any means and fleeces people up and down the country in a variety of ways. These are functional, operational places of worship and I have always felt its morally wrong to charge an entry fee.

So, I thought I'd do some research - I found I was pleasantly surprised in some areas and not at all surprised in others. So here goes, a guide to Cathedral entry charges in England.

I visited the website of every Cathedral in England, and this is what I found:

13 Cathedrals provide NO information about entry charges - presumably they simply fleece you on the door.

14 Cathedrals state that entry is FREE, most of them say that they would like a donation if you are able to give one – I’m happy with that.

1 Cathedral makes a big thing about FREE entry – well done Ripon Cathedral.

3 Cathedrals state that they are FREE but require you to give a suggested donation before you are let in....bit of a cop out really.

2 Will charge you, but don’t say how much.

Interesting Ely makes a point of saying there IS a charge, but if you are without cash they will let you in (speak to staff) – Natasha wasn’t told this – naughty !

1 states there is no entry charge – but I know that they are fibbing because They have a turnstile and cash desk, and I’ve been there – its good old Norwich !

Finally, seven make clear their admission charges....in ascending order (this is the adult price, so although there are family concessions, if you are taking the family if could cost a bit):

Coventry and Exeter - £6

Winchester - £7.50

York - £10 (BUT your ticket is valid for 12 months)

Canterbury - £10.50

St Paul’s - £18

Westminster Abbey – a whopping £20

#churchofengland #cathedralentrycharges