Friday, June 12, 2015

Canterbury Cathedral, England, Anglophile Friday



After enjoying delicious fish and chips at Cricketer's, and Mr. C. having eaten that enormous burger (at least part of it), we waddled strolled down what I think is St. Peter's Street toward Christ Church Gateway.

Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral Precinct
Christ Church Gateway
Built in 1438



Actually, it is so odd to be walking down the street one minute, then suddenly, after walking through the archway, a huge cathedral is looming ahead.




A bit of detail above the entrance


 Flying Buttresses

 Exterior, just to the left of the entrance

 Central Tower

The Two Towers at the West End


 The Colyer-Fergusson Concert 2015, March 14. The University of Kent Chorus and Symphony Orchestra were rehearsing Verdi’s Requiem. This was their last rehearsal before the actual concert that would begin at 7:30 PM.  We were surprised at being encouraged to come in and tour the cathedral even during a rehearsal. The female soloist was absolutely amazing. What a glorious musical backdrop for our cathedral tour!

I'm quite certain that there would have been no empty chairs at 7:30 PM.






So there are a few photos that your brain can weave into your dreams this weekend. I wonder what interesting stories they'll create. Maybe, instead of being chased through an old, abandoned warehouse, you will be chased through an old, beautiful cathedral. Wouldn't that be so much nicer.

More of the interior of Canterbury Cathedral in next week's Anglophile Friday, including the Thomas Becket candle.

P.S. I came upon this website with How They Built Canterbury Cathedral. I think you might find it interesting. I enjoyed the information and sketches of the cathedral.


Have a great weekend, everyone!




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44 comments:

  1. The CrankyJune 12, 2015 at 6:51 AM

    My luck, I'd dream of being impaled on one of the steeples whilst attempting a flyby, lol.

    An extraordinary place, and how lovely to have the musical accompaniment! Off to check out the website now.

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  2. eileeninmdJune 12, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    Lovely tour of the cathedral. The detail on the inside and outside are beautiful. I love the huge tower. It was nice you were there during the choir rehearsal. Wonderful photos! Happy Friday, have a great weekend!

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  3. Linda KayJune 12, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    Judy, such a beautiful place of worship. One couldn't help but be inspired when leaving there. And the gateway built in the 1400s, awesome.

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  4. Tired TeacherJune 12, 2015 at 7:15 AM

    Amazing architecture! Your photos are wonderful.

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  5. The Joy of Home with Martha EllenJune 12, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    Judy, Canterbury Cathedral is absolutely magnificent! How fortunate you were there with the choir practicing. That must have given you goosebumps! There is nothing like the sound in a cathedral. I'm loving your Anglophile Fridays.
    My dreams never seem to involve such beautiful places! ♥

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  6. Mike@Bit About BritainJune 12, 2015 at 8:01 AM

    Great shots and post, CM. Can't beat being chaste in a cathedral. While I'm about it, I used to think a flying buttress was an American aeroplane. More seriously - it must have been stunning with the choir an' all. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  7. StephanieJune 12, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    I am blown away with how beautiful and majestic these buildings are....what a joy to see them in person! Thank you, Judy, for sharing your stunning photos with us. Happy weekend! Hugs!

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  8. Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage BlogJune 12, 2015 at 8:21 AM

    Stunning! So beautiful!

    Thank you for sharing your photos with us!

    Deanna

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  9. Joanne NoragonJune 12, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    We studied English cathedrals in a high school class. I'm surprised at how little I remember, outside a few words like transept and buttress. Your pictures are excellent.

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  10. LynneJune 12, 2015 at 8:37 AM

    As I look at these photos and remembering my trips to England, Scotland, Ireland I am once again reminded how very young we are in America . . . Wonderful pictures of this cathedral . . . What a treat to hear the rehearsal . . .

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  11. Flat Creek FarmJune 12, 2015 at 9:16 AM

    Absolutely beautiful! I dream of visiting England. This is a very timely post for me as I am researching WWII photos, letters, artifacts from my father-in-law who is nearly 94. I am also trying to locate his "war-time" girlfriend Babs who lived in Surrey.. to see if she is still living. I so enjoyed this post and photos.. perhaps dreams of our old sailor meeting up for the first time in 70 years with his old sweetheart in this cathedral? Thanks so much for visiting the blog, and for your lovely comments. I shall return!
    -Tammy

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  12. podsoJune 12, 2015 at 9:32 AM

    Amazing how old the stuff is over there! And I should look at your link, how many years it took to build? What a serendipity to find the choir singing! I would have loved it. Good excuse to sit down for a rest after that lunch. :-)

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  13. SImple and Serene LivingJune 12, 2015 at 10:35 AM

    What an amazingly wonderful church. I would have loved to hear that choir. xo Laua

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  14. TexWisGirlJune 12, 2015 at 10:45 AM

    just truly amazing.

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  15. MadSnapperJune 12, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    the detail on this Cathedral is amazing, absolutely stunning...every little piece of it is amazing to me. and the inside, the last 4 pics, i just sat and stared and i can tell you if i were there for a church service i would miss most of it just staring upwards.... i wondered why the church was almost empty but then i read the part about practice session.

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  16. Heide at ApronHistoryJune 12, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    It is stunning. A magnificent building. I love all the windows tucked under the arches.

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  17. CathyJune 12, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    That is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures. I bet the choir was awesome.

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  18. L. D. June 12, 2015 at 12:32 PM

    That cathedral is so stunning in its design. You have taken many great photos. How great that you could hear the rehearsal while you were touring the building. It is beautiful on the inside and strong looking on the outside.

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  19. Carla from The RiverJune 12, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    Amazing!! I just find it so amazing they built what they did.
    I bet the choir was a true treat to sit and listen to.
    Have a great weekend,
    Carla

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  20. Sallie (FullTime-Life)June 12, 2015 at 4:58 PM

    Judy it is beautiful and your pictures are exquisite. I love this series. I'd love to go back to see more of England.

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  21. Celestina MarieJune 12, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    Hi Judy, Your photos of these amazing building are incredible. The cathedral is beautiful. How wonderful to hear the choir sing.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Hugs, CM

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  22. DebJune 12, 2015 at 6:39 PM

    I really enjoy your England photos, Judy. This cathedral is beautiful. Deb

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  23. Terri DJune 12, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    Breathtaking. I always just marvel at the craftsmanship and labor it took to accomplish such beauty all those many years ago. How did they do it? I'm sure the music during your tour was icing on the cake!

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  24. StephanieJune 12, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    My goodness, that is an amazingly beautiful church. The details of those figures into the architect. The inside of the cathedral is beautiful. It must have been wonderful to be there to view all this. Wow!

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  25. AnonymousJune 12, 2015 at 8:52 PM

    What amazing architecture. How wonderful to hear the music/soloist during your tour. I wish you a lovely weekend.

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  26. RoseJune 12, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    I hope I can remember to go to the website later...that place is just simply amazing. I think I would have had to stay a month to take it all in!

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  27. DebbieJune 12, 2015 at 9:16 PM

    It is amazing and so very beautiful but I always wonder if these cathedrals need to be so grand, so expensive. I always feel that the money could be better spent helping others, educating and feeding children, housing the homeless. Sometimes I wish I did not feel that way, that I could just enjoy the gorgeous architecture and craftsmanship!! I am sure it is a place you will never forget......that when you dream of this place you will remember how awe inspiring it was and how much you enjoyed the soloist!!

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  28. AnonymousJune 12, 2015 at 9:20 PM

    Wow, just wow! I've been to England but never Canterbury, although one of my best college friends was an exchange student from that very university and her description of it makes me want so badly to see it. These photos only reinforce that!

    And how quaint is that Cathedral Gate Hotel? I think that's where I'd want to stay.

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  29. VeeJune 13, 2015 at 7:19 AM

    Ha! No thanks, I don't want to be chased through a cathedral either. I find them fascinating and I enjoy tours of them, but they do not make my spirit soar as I believe they do yours. I'm more of a cathedral of the pines sort of gal. I once went to a fat class (Weight Watchers to be specific) in the bowels of a cathedral and got bored and took a wander on my own. It was very interesting and enough material for nightmares for the thirty years since. I like the flying buttresses seen here...not so intrusive and architecturally overpowering.

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  30. Cranberry MorningJune 13, 2015 at 8:03 AM

    I think many of us are in awe of our amazing Creator God who made the beautiful forests, hills, rivers, etc. and can't help praising him whenever we see the intricate design of a flower or a dog or a tree...

    but just as in the Old Testament when God had very specific plans for the Tabernacle, the finest and most beautiful components being used to represent the glory of God to the people, the stunning, beautiful and intricate architecture of cathedrals like this one, remind us of the glory of God. Every time I walk into a cathedral, I'm especially aware of the vast difference between God and mankind. I'm reminded of who he is and who I am. It is an intense and humbling experience.

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  31. jerilandersJune 13, 2015 at 8:51 AM

    If I ever get my long awaited trip to Britain, I am contacting YOU for advice on the best places!

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  32. This N ThatJune 13, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    Beautiful pictures..Such detail..Love the architecture..very ornate..Enjoy your weekend Judy..

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  33. Judy S.June 13, 2015 at 1:02 PM

    Aren't the old cathedrals amazing? Have you read Pillars of the Earth and its sequel? If you haven't, I think you'd enjoy them.

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  34. UnknownJune 15, 2015 at 10:21 AM

    John is drooling here - of all the Cathedral's he sang in as a child - they never made it to this one -
    Stunning.
    Almost looks exactly like Yorkminster, right? Apparently Durham Cathedral looks like these too!
    I'm with Judy above - you need to read Pillars of the Earth and it's sequel ( World without end ) which is all about the days and times when these majestic monuments to God were built.
    ( although I can't imagine you - the biggest Anglophile on the planet - having not read them already lol )
    Beautiful post !
    ( John just told me when they sang at Yorkminster - it was televised lmho - I swear to you I was just signing off and he said " tell Judy................. "
    So now you know
    xoxo

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  35. SnapJune 15, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    Gorgeous images of Canterbury Cathedral. I love churches .. the older the better. Just can't imagine how long it took to build these magnificent structures. Thanks so much for your gorgeous post. Have a lovely week.

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  36. Gemma WisemanJune 15, 2015 at 2:51 PM

    Canterbury Cathedral is such a beautiful old piece of architecture. Love all the details in your photos. Even the archway entrance to the cathedral is most impressive.

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  37. DonnaJune 15, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    What a magnificent sight is Canterbury Cathedral....both inside and out!

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  38. Judith @ Lavender CottageJune 15, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    Simply the magnificent architecture is what I would dream of - all the detail and figures, how talented the stone masons were back then.
    I went in the basement of a cathedral in Ireland to see the sights and it was so musty and damp I couldn't stay long - now that would give me a nightmare to be trapped there.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday Judy and for inspiring Gayle with her collage this week!

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  39. Billy Blue EyesJune 16, 2015 at 1:47 AM

    I really have to get down to that place, it's not that far from where I live, only a couple of hours

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  40. ~Lavender Dreamer~June 16, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    It's hard for us to grasp how massive this building is! Interesting website...thanks for the link! Enjoy your day. Hugs, Diane

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  41. Sarah WashburnJune 16, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    Oh wow ... that is a gorgeous cathedral! When I was a girl we had a layover in London England and a friend drove us around the city. It was so beautiful (from what we saw of it)! Thank you for sharing. ~Sarah (visiting from Radical Femininity)

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  42. annJune 17, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    The English cathedrals are indeed grand. I've not been to Canterberry, but I have seen York Minister, Winchester Cathedral, St. Paul's and Westminister Abbey. They are engineering marvels build without modern technology. Loved your photos.

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  43. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseJune 18, 2015 at 2:59 PM

    Canterbury is the very first English town I visited. Great memories coming back thanks to your post!

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  44. ConniecrafterJune 20, 2015 at 9:29 PM

    Wow that is wonderful architecture, I love looking at these old buildings!!

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