Victorian Gothic Revival at St John's

The nineteenth century saw a movement that revived the Gothic style of architecture across the world. Both the Catholic Church and the Anglo-Catholics in the Church of England realised that the marvellous beauty of the Gothic style is a unrivalled way to bring people into contact with God. Combined with beautiful liturgy, the gorgeous interior of a Gothic church provides a unsurpassed environment for faith to grow.

In designing the Catholic Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, the architect, George Gilbert Scott Junior, and the fifteenth Duke of Norfolk, who paid for the building, produced a stupendous Victorian re-interpretation of the medieval Gothic style. The Cathedral is a masterclass in how to build in the Gothic tradition, taking inspiration for its plan, elevations and details from buildings of the first half of the thirteenth century, but copying nothing. The result is a unique and majestic building that uses stonework, glass, and light to tremendous effect and with a tower that has been described as ‘one of the finest achievements of late Victorian ecclesiastical architecture’.

This 50-minute tour of the building will discuss how the stonework, stained-glass, and structure of the building were brought together to create a sacred space for the celebration of the Mass and for worship and prayer.

Timings

Tuesday 15 September:

1100

Thursday 17 September:

1100

Location & directions

Cathedral House, Unthank Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 2PA

Directions:

The Cathedral and Narthex main entrances are on Earlham Road, with a small car park to the West of the Cathedral (please note that the parking spaces immediately beside the Cathedral are permit holders only). The North Porch entrance to the Cathedral is adjacent to the steps leading up from the road. Level access to the Cathedral can be found via the main entrance to the Narthex at the top of this car park. A second small car park can be found on Unthank Road, next door to the Trinity United Reform Church and leads you through our garden and into the Narthex. From this car park you can also access the Parish Office in Cathedral House, next to the Sacristy. The Cathedral is a 10 minute walk from the centre of Norwich, with a footbridge over Grapes Hill or pedestrian crossings around Chapelfield Road. The number 25 and 26 network buses serve the bus stop outside the Cathedral.

Contact on day:

Heritage Officer

Telephone number:

+441603724381

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

If you can no longer fulfil your booking, please cancel this by emailing [email protected] at least 48hrs in advance of the booked event to provide others with the opportunity to attend.

Booking contact name:

The Forum

Booking website:

https://norfolkhods.ticketsolve.com/

Booking opens:

26 Aug 2026 10:00 AM

Booking closes:

14 Sep 2026 03:00 PM

Additional information

Max number of people:

20

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

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