January to April 2026 What's On at St Albans Cathedral
What’s On
January - April 2026
The Whales | Holy Week and Easter
St Albans Cathedral, home to Britain’s first saint, is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.
“Welcome to the first edition of What’s On at St Albans Cathedral for 2026. As the new year gets underway, we are delighted to have Tessa Campbell Fraser’s Whales installation in the Nave. As a Cathedral we are committed to treating with wonder and profound care all that God has made. Read on for the wonderful programme of activities you can be part of under the Whales. As we look to see the signs of spring, we also look to the journey of Lent which leads us to Holy Week and the great Festival of Easter. See the pages ahead for details of worship and study during this holy season. This is your Cathedral - you are always welcome and I hope to see you soon!”
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans
Anabel Baranowska
The Story of Alban
This is a story of an ordinary person doing an extraordinary thing, a story which still inspires.
Alban lived around 300 AD in the Roman city of Verulamium. Alban gave shelter to a priest fleeing persecution.
With the authorities closing in, the two men exchanged cloaks allowing the priest to escape.
Alban was taken before the judge where he declared himself a Christian, condemning himself to death.
Alban was beheaded on the hill where the Cathedral now stands. Alban is Britain’s first saint. The story of friendship between Alban and Amphibalus is as relevant in our world today as it was 1700 years ago.
St Albans Cathedral remains committed to offering welcome and sanctuary to all, and to witness God’s love in the world.
On Saturday 20 June 2026 we celebrate Alban at the Alban Pilgrimage. Save the date!
Your Visit
There are many unique sights to take in when you visit St Albans Cathedral, making it a stunning setting for worship, events and tours.
Opening times
The Cathedral is open all year round 9am - 5pm
We need to raise £8,000 a day to keep this historic Cathedral open, so please donate generously.
How to book event tickets
Book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, through the Cathedral Box Office located in the Cathedral Shop, or call 01727 890290
Planning your visit
Accessibility for all our visitors is an important part of our welcome and mission. Full information about planning a trip can be found at www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit
Abbot’s Kitchen x Dinner Ladies
Open daily 10am - 4pm
Meet Dinner Ladies, the new hosts in Abbot’s Kitchen! Fresh, feelgood food daily makes it the perfect Cathedral visit pit-stop. Card payments only.
Cathedral Shop
Sundays - Fridays | open 10am - 5pm Saturdays | open 9am - 5pm
Take home a memory, or find the perfect gift in our welcoming shop. Find exclusive souvenirs, locally-made gifts, and unique treasures — open daily.
Regular worship
Join us for daily worship, the heartbeat of Cathedral life at which all are welcome. See page 14 for more details, and check the website for any late changes.
Group enquiries
We welcome groups from far and wide every day and can tailor tours to suit your group’s interest. Get in touch to find out more. Groups: 01727 890200 Schools: 01727 890212
Support us
To find out more about how you can support the Cathedral go to www.stalbanscathedral.org/donate or call 01727 890229
Cathedral Map
1. Shrine of Saint Alban
2. Shrine of Saint Amphibalus
3. Presbytery and High Altar Screen 4. The Norman Tower
Exhibition
Wall Paintings
Toilets
Visitor Highlights
St Albans Cathedral is a great place to visit with the whole family – whatever the weather! From the longest nave in England to our beautiful wall painting illuminations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Shrine of Saint Alban
The Shrine of Saint Alban is a site of national and international pilgrimage. People have been coming here for over 1700 years and it is used as a place of prayer and stillness by visitors every day.
The Shrine of Saint Amphibalus
Restored in 2021, this beautiful shrine to the other saint in the Alban story makes this Cathedral the only one in the country with two medieval pedestal shrines.
The Norman Tower
Our Norman Tower is the only 11th century great crossing tower still standing in England today. It is also the only cathedral tower in England to be built using Roman bricks.
You can explore our tower on one of our Tower Tours, see page 9.
Wall Paintings
See the wall paintings in the Nave restored to their former glory with unique light projections during our Daily Guided Tours.
The Longest Nave in England
Enjoy walking the longest nave in England, all 85 metres of it! Take in the architecture and atmosphere of this vast space.
The Whales installation will be suspended in the Nave in January and February. See page 12 for more details.
Rose Window
Installed in the late 1800s, bathe in the beautiful light of our rose window in the North Transept. The stained glass was added in the 1980s and officially opened by Princess Diana.
Tours
Discover stories from 1700 years of history as you embark upon an exciting journey around the Cathedral on one of our special tours.
Daily Guided Tours
These tours are a great introduction to the Cathedral, its history and its treasures. Our expert guides will take you through our rich and varied history, exploring features such as our stunning medieval wall paintings, spectacular stained glass windows, and the shrine of Alban, Britain’s first saint.
Mondays – Fridays, 11.30am, 1.05pm and 2.15pm Saturdays, 10.45am, 11.30am, 1.05pm and 2.30pm Sundays, 1.05pm and 2pm
There is no charge for these tours, donations are encouraged. These tours are for individuals or small family groups only. Please see the website for details.
Group
Tours
Varying days and times
To allow you to make the most of your visit to the Cathedral, we require groups of six or more to book their tour in advance. The Guides can provide a general tour or something specially tailored to your group’s needs or particular interests.
Please contact us on mail@stalbanscathedral.org or 01727 890200.
We are delighted to be able to offer our free guided tours to individuals with visual impairments. A dedicated group of guides has been trained to deliver these special tours so that our magnificent building can be made more accessible.
Tickets (no charge - donations encouraged!) are available from our website and the Cathedral Box Office.
Tower Tours
Selected dates and times
Join our expert guides on a visit behind closed doors to explore the roof spaces including the ringing and bell chambers, before the final climb onto the roof of the tower. There are 211 steps leading up to the top of the oldest cathedral tower in Britain, where you will be rewarded with fantastic views of St Albans (weather permitting).
Tickets available from our website. Restrictions apply. Please see the website for details.
Abbey by Night
Wednesdays 28 January, 4 February and 4 March, 8pm and 8.30pm
As darkness descends and candles are lit, be transported back to the medieval abbey and meet the characters - both monks and pilgrims - to whom this great abbey was home. See and hear the inspiring tales these men and women have to tell.
Discover more of the treasures of the Cathedral with an experienced guide. All tours start at 1.30pm.
The Watery World | Sunday 11 January
Two together, forever? | Sunday 8 February
Words, words, words | Sunday 22 March
Under Surveillance | Sunday 19 April
Tickets available from our website or at the Cathedral Box Office.
Special Tours
Discover the secrets and hidden treasures of the Cathedral on one of our special tours.
Selected dates and times. Tickets are available from our website.
Amazing Architecture
A fascinating tour of the 900 year architectural history of our Cathedral and Abbey Church, from the impressive Norman work of Paul of Caen, through the medieval Abbots, and the drastic restoration of Lord Grimthorpe to the recently built Welcome Centre.
Divine Designs
Learn about all the incredible ways in which science, technology, engineering and maths have been used for centuries to build and beautify this building.
Flora and Fauna
See how the natural world has been depicted in stone, wood, glass and textile in the Cathedral over the centuries. Marvel at the sheer variety of plants, birds, insects and mammals to be discovered on this fascinating tour.
Latin Inscriptions
Discover the history of the Cathedral and Abbey Church and the people associated with it through the Latin inscriptions to be found throughout the building in stone, glass and brass.
Let the Women Speak
Hear the stories of women across the ages, heard and unheard, seen and unseen, who have left their mark on the fabric and history of the cathedral.
Making your Mark
Explore the graffiti that has been scratched in the stone down through the ages in this building. Look for hidden gems from signatures to skeletons, animals, crosses and a lot more.
Rogues and Rebels
From murder, witchcraft and heresy to challenging the laws and norms of their day, this tour tells the stories of those men and women associated with the Abbey who followed their own path.
Stained Glass
Explore the Cathedral’s remarkable stained glass, from vivid biblical scenes to the jewel-bright Rose Window, and uncover the stories behind the artists who created them.
The Afterlife of Trees
Join us on this tour to celebrate trees and explore the fascinating woodwork in the Cathedral, focusing on skilled carpentry from the medieval to modern times.
Wall Paintings
Discover the Cathedral’s rare medieval wall paintings spanning four centuries and learn how these extraordinary images were created and preserved.
Learn about how the power struggle for the throne between the two royal houses of York and Lancaster left its mark on the fabric and people of the monastery in the 1400s and into the 1500s.
Peregrine Live Cam
Watch our Peregrines live at St Albans Cathedral on our website.
Our popular Peregrine Live Cam will hopefully be back this spring. Viewers will be able to tune in to see if our very own Peregrine Falcons nest and lay any eggs this year.
Dates for the livestream will be announced in March.
The Whales
Wednesday 31 December 2025 - Wednesday 4
February 2026
Suspended high in the Cathedral’s vast nave, three monumental sculptures of sperm whales appear to drift through the air, their translucent forms shaped from recycled ghost nets, silk chiffon and repurposed paper.
Marvel at artist Tessa Campbell Fraser’s installation and join one of the many events and activities taking place under these gentle giants including:
Whales Lates and Whales Lates Relaxed
Selected evenings in January and February
Larger than Life: the Inflatable Whale
Saturday 3 January, 11am - 3.30pm
Flora and Fauna Tour
Monday 5 January, 2pm and Saturday 31 January, 10.30am
Yoga under the Whales
Mondays 5 January and 2 February, 6.15pm and 7.30pm
The Sixteen
Wednesday 7 January, 7.30pm
Tessa: The Whales
Thursday 8 January, 7.30pm
The Watery World Tour
Sunday 11 January, 1.30pm
Concerts by Candlelight
Selected dates, see page 21 for details
Vast Ocean of Light: Music of the Sea | St Albans Cathedral
Choir
Sunday 25 January, 7.30pm
Sea Shanty Festival
Saturday 31 January, 12.30pm and 7.30pm
Events under the Whales in this brochure will be marked with Tickets for events are available on our website.
Whether you prefer prayer, services, or lighting a candle, we welcome all to worship.
Sundays
8am Eucharist
9.30am Parish Eucharist
11.30am Choral Eucharist
11.30am Matins (3rd Sunday)
12.30pm Eucharist (3rd Sunday)
4pm Choral Evensong
Weekdays
7.30am Morning Prayer
8am Eucharist
12 noon Eucharist at the Shrine
5pm Evensong (Evening Prayer on Fridays)
Saturdays
8.30am Morning Prayer
9am Eucharist
12 noon Eucharist in the Lady Chapel 5pm Choral Evensong
Monthly Services
Regular special services held on set days each month.
Requiem Eucharist | 1st Wednesday, 8am
Healing Eucharist | 2nd Saturday, 9am
Compline | 2nd Sunday, 6pm
Mothers’ Union Eucharist | 4th Wednesday, 10am
Eucharist of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Last Saturday, 9am
Ecumenical Services
The Cathedral also has a thriving Ecumenical Chaplaincy, regularly holding services for different Christian traditions.
Roman Catholic
Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12 noon.
German Lutheran
A service in German is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 7pm.
Free Church
A service is held on the first Wednesday of every month at 11am.
Orthodox Liturgy
A service is held once a month on a Tuesday at 10.30am.
Please see the website for more information.
A Day Chaplain is available to talk with most days.
Special Services
The Cathedral hosts many special services throughout the year, reflecting the church year and supporting local organisations.
Epiphany Service with the Blessing of Chalk
Sunday 4 January, 9.30am and 11.30am
Our Epiphany service includes the blessing of chalk used to mark the front of our homes with a blessing for the year.
Candlemas Carol Service
Sunday 1 February, 4pm
A beautiful service of music and readings marking the end of the Christmas season, sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Ashes to Go
Wednesday 18 February, 11.30am - 1pm
Join our clergy team in the city centre of St Albans for the imposition of ashes to mark the start of Lent.
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 18 February, 8pm
Choral Eucharist with imposition of ashes to mark the start of the season of Lent.
Civic Service
Sunday 8 March, 11.30am
A service giving thanks for our city and all who serve it, reflecting on the mayoral theme of volunteering.
Mothering Sunday
Sunday 15 March, 9.30am
9.30am Parish Eucharist with distribution of posies.
Passiontide Service
Sunday 22 March, 4pm
A powerful meditative service of music, readings and prayer. This service is sung by the Cathedral Choir.
For more information about worship, please visit our website.
Holy Week and Easter
Easter is a time for reflection and transformation. Join us for Holy Week as our preacher, the Rt Revd Rob Wickham, explores “Who do you think you are?” as we reflect on Christ’s Passion and resurrection.
Palm Sunday | Sunday 29 March
Palm Sunday Procession, 9.30am
Meet by the Clock Tower on the High Street, ready to set off in the procession to the Cathedral. Bring a branch or some greenery from home to wave as we walk and recall Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday Choral Eucharist, 11.30am Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Palm Sunday Choral Evensong, 4pm Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Monday 30 March
Holy Week recital, 12.30pm
The Cathedral Youth Choir and Choral Scholars of Dunstable Priory give a recital of Holy Week music.
A service of night prayer with an address from our Holy Week preacher, Bishop Rob Wickham, Honorary Assistant Bishop of this Diocese and formerly the Bishop of Edmonton.
Maundy Thursday | Thursday 2 April
Chrism Eucharist, 11am
A sung Eucharist, gathering together the clergy and lay ministers from the Diocese for an act of commitment to ministry and the blessing of the holy oils for use throughout the following year. This service is sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Maundy Eucharist, 8pm
Recalling what Jesus did at the Last Supper, the priest washes the feet of members of the congregation, followed by the Eucharist and a watch until midnight remembering the agony of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. This service is sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Good Friday | Friday 3 April
Children’s Event, 10am
A morning aimed at primary school children. Experience Good Friday through storytelling, immersive activities and crafts, as we journey with Jesus to the Cross.
Three Hours Devotion with preacher Bishop Rob Wickham 12 noon - 1.30pm Preaching of the Passion. 1.30pm - 3pm The Liturgy of Good Friday, sung by the Cathedral Choir. 8pm Unity at the Cross.
The Easter Vigil begins quietly in darkness but ends in joyful light and noise. This service includes baptisms and confirmations from across the Diocese, and the first celebration of the Eucharist for Easter. Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Easter Day | Sunday 5 April
Early on the third day, Jesus’ disciples come and find the empty tomb. Later that day they gather and eat with their risen Lord.
Easter celebrations continue with festival services through the day to celebrate the joy of Resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
Easter Eucharist, 8am Eucharist with hymns.
Easter Eucharist, 9.30am
Sung by the Cathedral Choir and Parish Singers.
Easter Choral Eucharist, 11.30am
Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Easter Day Evensong, 4pm
Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Easter Monday | Monday 6 April
Easter Monday Pilgrimage, 2.30pm
People young and old walk to the Cathedral from across the diocese to meet and gather in the Cathedral.
For nearly 700 years, the Alban Bun has been a part of the Easter tradition at St Albans Cathedral.
The Alban Bun will be available to buy this Lent and Easter from the Abbot’s Kitchen.
Exhibitions
Celebrating Women Exhibition
Monday 2 March – Saturday 21 March
This exhibition showcases the remarkable women who are driving change across various sectors, including education, politics, and social justice using a series of striking portraits.
No charge, donations welcome.
Oaklands College: Shrines Project
Monday 23 March – Sunday 29 March
Oaklands College, Level 3, Year 1 Art students, are proud to present an exhibition of works created for their Shrine project. Students were tasked with researching a wide range of shrines across a diverse range of religions and cultures. From this research students were then asked to produce exciting and thought-provoking outcomes in print, ceramics, graphics, photography, textiles, painting and drawing. No charge, donations welcome.
Francis Bacon Celebration Exhibition
Monday 13 April - Wednesday 6 May
2026 is the 400th anniversary of Francis Bacon’s death. In honour of this there will be an exhibition in the North Transept for all to come to see and learn about another incredible part of our history. No charge, donations welcome.
Music
Lunchtime Live
Mondays 9 February, 16 March, 30 March, 13 April and 20 April
Escape the bustle of town with 30 minutes of music in our new series of organ recitals in the crossing and chamber music in the Cathedral’s Lady Chapel.
Please check the Cathedral website for the latest dates and performer details.
Cathedral Junior Choir
Mondays in term time
Juniors (Reception – Year 2): 4.45pm - 5.15pm
Seniors (Year 3 – Year 6): 5.15pm - 6pm
The Cathedral’s youngest choir, welcoming children from Reception to Year 6. Find out more details on our website.
Cathedral Youth Choir
Tuesdays, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
An auditioned chamber choir for Year 10-13 students who love singing. Performances include:
Choral Compline | 2nd Sunday of each month, 6pm
Holy Week Recital | Monday 30 March, 12.30pm
The Cathedral Youth Choir give a recital of Holy Week music.
Be a Chorister for a day
An opportunity for boys and girls in Years 3 and 4 to experience the life of a chorister in St Albans Cathedral Choir.
Saturday 31 January (girls) and Saturday 7 February (boys). Register your interest through our website.
The Cathedral comes to life with the spirit of the sea.
12.30pm–3.30pm
Enjoy a family-friendly shanty session with three groups, plenty of food and drink, and a joyful, relaxed atmosphere.
7pm–10pm
The renowned Kimber’s Men take centre stage for a festival-style concert of powerful harmonies and maritime song.
Soul Plates: A Celebration of Love for All
Saturday 14 February, 7.30pm, Lady Chapel
This Valentine’s Day join Dinner Ladies for a three-course, seasonal dining experience with loved ones.
Swing into Spring | Tim Boniface Quartet
Saturday 21 February, 7.30pm
Following the acclaimed worldwide release of their latest album, this outstanding quartet of Tim Boniface (saxophones), James Pearson (piano), Malcolm Creese (double bass) and Jon Ormston (drums) return to the Cathedral for a concert of jazz classics.
The St Albans Mystery Plays
Friday 27 February, 7pm
A return of Imogen de la Bere’s unique plays, bringing Old and New Testament stories to life with medieval music, dancing and singing.
Joint Schools Choral Society and Orchestra Concert
Wednesday 11 March, 7.30pm
Performed by St Albans High School for Girls and St Albans School.
Serenity & Hope | St Albans Chamber Choir
Saturday 14 March, 7.30pm
A reflective evening with music by Allegri, Howells and Holst.
Martin Kemp | Back to the 80s
Friday 20 March, 7.30pm
Fresh from the jungle 80s icon, actor, and Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp is taking us Back to the 80s!
An evening of Mozart masterpieces, from the power of the Requiem to the timeless elegance of Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
Bach Mass in B Minor | St Albans Bach Choir
Saturday 28 March, 7pm
A rare chance to hear one of the greatest achievements in sacred choral music brought to life by choir, soloists and orchestra.
Mozart Mass in C Minor | St Albans Choral Society
Saturday 18 April, 7pm
One of Mozart’s greatest masterpieces, paired with a carefully curated selection of neo-classical gems: Handel’s glorious Zadok the Priest, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite and Nico Muhly’s Preservation.
Family Music Day at Dunstable Priory
Saturday 25 April, Dunstable Priory
Come and discover the world of the pipe organ, including singing, and a telling of the tale of Peter and the Wolf with organ accompaniment. Suitable for children age 6+. Visit the Cathedral website for updates.
Courses
An Introduction to the Old Testament (SACT)
Tuesday evenings, 13 January - 24 March (excl. 17 February), 7.30pm – c.9.15pm, Online
Rooted in the study of a range of passages, paying attention to their genre, structure, purpose, theology and themes, this course will introduce you to a study of the Old Testament.
Tutor: The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor Tickets £135, available from our website.
Redeeming the Soul of America: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement (SACT & SACT+)
Join us for this course to explore the theological ideas and Biblical themes expressed by Martin Luther King Jr. and the development of the Civil Rights Movement from Montgomery to Selma.
Tutor: Canon Jonathan Gordon
Tickets £75, available from our website.
Talks and Workshops
St Albans Cathedral offers a rich programme of events and workshops designed to explore faith, history and culture from many different angles.
Jonah: Just a Fishy Tale?
Wednesday 21 January, 7.30pm - 9pm
Jonah, the famously grumpy prophet, is sent by God on a Mission Impossible. A sea escape, a wild storm and a summoned whale find him vomited back to the shore from where he began. Join us under our own whales as we take a deep dive into the murky complexity swirling beneath the humour of this fishy tale.
Speaker: The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
Whales and Kindred Sea Creatures in Medieval English Bestiaries
Thursday 29 January, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room
Medieval bestiaries crowned the whale “king of fishes,” surrounding it with sea monsters, moral lessons and fantastical imagery.
Discover how these creatures shaped medieval thought in this richly illustrated exploration.
Speaker: Professor Debra Strickland
Tickets £10 (£6 students), available from our website.
Handblock Printing with Kirubajinie
Saturday 31 January, 10am – c.12.30pm, Alban Room
Join us for a calming, hands-on experience exploring the ancient Indian art of handblock printing — a centuries-old textile tradition that blends creativity, nature-inspired, sustainable designs and mindfulness. Led by Jesline Kirubajinie.
Tickets £85, available from our website.
A Heavy Yoke: Theology, Power and Abuse
Thursday 12 February, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and Online
How does theology help us understand power—and what happens when power is misused? This thought-provoking session explores the strengths and vulnerabilities embedded within Christian tradition, and how they shape our responses to harm.
Speaker: Dr Selina Stone
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
The World Within: Creativity and Retreat
Wednesday 18 February, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room and Online
From Wittgenstein’s remote mountain hut to Simone Weil’s radical solitude, award-winning author Guy Stagg investigates why writers and thinkers retreat from the world, and what creativity gains from stepping back.
Tickets £12, available from our website.
Socrates: Rebel, Thinker, Martyr for Philosophy. What will you decide?
Saturday 14 March, 10.30am - 3pm
Expect lively discussion, surprising insights, and a chance to step into history itself with a dramatic re-enactment of his famous trial. You’ll be the jury: will you find him guilty or not guilty?
Tutor: Laurie Gibson
Thomas More: Man, Myth, Mystery
Thursday 19 March, 7.30pm – 9pm
Saintly scholar, zealous persecutor, ambitious statesman - who was the ‘real’ Thomas More? Drawing on new archival research from her biography of More, Dr Joanne Paul will separate fact from fiction and uncover the enduring legacy of one of history’s most enigmatic and divisive figures.
Tickets £15 (£7.50 students), available from our website
The Annunciation
Wednesday 25 March, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and Online
“Hail, Mary, full of grace,” said Gabriel — or did he? The translation is tricky, but the phrase “full of grace” has lit up the Christian imagination for centuries. Was Gabriel simply being polite, or does it reveal something extraordinary about Mary?
Join the Revd Dr Peter Waddell to find out more and explore what makes Mary so remarkable.
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
Restoration Stone Carving with Alan Micklethwaite
Thursday 9 April, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room and Online
Join stone carver and conservator Alan Micklethwaite for an inside look at how the carvings on historic monuments and buildings are repaired and conserved with special insights into featured projects at St Albans Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral, and Lindisfarne Castle.
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
Stone Carving Workshops
Friday 10 and Saturday 11 April, 10.30am – 4pm, Alban Room
Introduction workshops to relief carving in stone. Learn the techniques of stone carving to produce a small piece of relief sculpture, which will be yours to keep. No previous experience is necessary.
Tutor: Alan Micklethwaite
Tickets £90 (or £160 for both days), available from our website.
How Robin Hood was Invented in St Albans: A Tenuous (but True) Story
Wednesday 22 April, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room and Online
In 1196, William FitzOsbert died a brutal rebel’s death in London — but his courage refused to die with him. Centuries later, chronicler Matthew Paris transformed this doomed agitator into a fearless champion of the poor, a legend whose spirit helped shape the tale of Robin Hood. Discover the real story behind the rebellion.
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
Legenda: The Real Women Behind the Myths that Shaped Europe
Thursday 30 April, 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Join bestselling historian Dr Janina Ramirez as she uncovers the real women behind Europe’s myths, showing how figures such as Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva, and Isabella of Castile were misrepresented to serve national identities, while trailblazing women of the 18th and 19th centuries were written out of history.
Tickets £15 (£7.50 students), available from our website.
Learning
Visit our award-winning Education Centre for an unforgettable school trip. To find out more or book please email education@stalbanscathedral.org
Yoga under the Whales
Selected dates throughout January | KS1 - KS3
A calm, creative wellbeing session beneath the Cathedral’s stunning whale sculptures. Led by local teacher Ali Parker, with optional follow-up worksheets.
Science/Whale/Environment Worksheet trail
Selected dates throughout January | KS2
Explore our spectacular whale installation while completing a fun, curriculum-linked trail on science, nature and the environment.
Bring Roman Britain to life with three interactive workshops and the chance to meet our resident Roman soldier.
Holocaust Memorial Sessions
Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January | KS2
Hear powerful testimony from Holocaust and genocide survivors, and take part in specialist workshops delivered with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Wiener Library.
A dynamic day of hands-on science linked to whales, the environment and space. Includes a University of Hertfordshire planetarium show.
Volunteer
Over 500 volunteers keep the Cathedral running day to day and are a vital part of the organisation.
Explore how you can get involved with the Cathedral through our volunteering opportunities on our website at www.stalbanscathedral.org/volunteers
Cathedral Library and Archives
Cathedral Library
Come and visit our cosy library to browse and borrow books or as a quiet space to read and work in. Make sure to visit our collection for Young Readers or join our monthly Book Club.
Visit our website for more details about opening times.
A treasure trove of photographs, books, letters, drawings, and other documents that tell the story of the Cathedral and Abbey. The Archives can be visited by appointment, usually on Monday afternoons in term-time.
Email archives@stalbanscathedral.org to book a visit to the Archives.
We offer an exciting array of groups for young people at the Cathedral.
Abbey Tots
Tuesdays, 10am, Offa Room
Come along to this popular parent and toddler group for pre-schoolers and their parents or carers. No charge, tickets available on our website. Donations welcome.
Abbey Tots Service
Thursdays, 10am, St Michael Chapel
Our service for pre-school age children includes Bible stories, songs and prayers, as well as a snack and special meal.
Cathedral Junior Choir
Mondays in term time
Juniors (Reception – Year 2): 4.45pm - 5.15pm
Seniors (Year 3 – Year 6): 5.15pm - 6pm
The Cathedral’s youngest choir, welcoming children from Reception to Year 6. Please visit our website to find out more and register interest.
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Fridays, 6.30pm - 8pm, Alban Room
A youth group for those aged 8 - 12, meeting during term time. It is the perfect opportunity to socialise and have fun with friends.
Youth Group
1st and 3rd Sundays each month during term time, 7pm - 8.15pm
Our fun and sociable youth group for ages 13 - 17 meets for games, conversation, hot chocolate and activities twice a month.
Contact our Children and Youth team for more information: children@stalbanscathedral.org
The Friends of St Albans Cathedral is an independent charity providing financial and practical support to the Cathedral.
The Friends play a vital role in enabling the life and work happening in our glorious building to develop and thrive, as it has done for nearly 1000 years.
“The Friends of St Albans Cathedral is a key part of the ongoing flourishing of our mission and ministry through its generous support.”
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans
For more information on how to join the Friends and support our valuable work, visit us at www.stalbanscathedral.org/friends or email us at friends@stalbanscathedral.org. Alternatively, you can contact Hazel Ireson, Membership Secretary, on 01582 832312
Friends of St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral
Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY
A gift with a difference
Adopt St Albans Cathedral
Are you looking for a unique gift? By adopting part of St Albans Cathedral you will make a difference to the future of this place.
Support our Learning
By adopting an item in the Archives, you will support the Education Trust in its mission to ensure learning is at the heart of the Cathedral and protect our learning heritage for the future.
Preserve our Building
By adopting a Roman brick from the medieval tower you will support the future preservation of the Cathedral and its precincts.
Sustain our Music
By adopting a pipe, you help to support the Music Trust in its aims to maintain our Harrison & Harrison Organ and protect the Cathedral’s music for future generations.
Opening times
The Cathedral is open daily 9am - 5pm.
Please donate generously. We need to raise £8,000 a day to keep this Cathedral open. Scan the QR code to donate.
Tickets
Book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, in person at our Box Office, located in the Cathedral Shop, or call 01727 890290.
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