Beverley Minster — Attraction in Beverley

Want to be educated and entertained? Beverley Minster Roof Tour is for you. My wife and I took it a few weeks ago, led by our knowledgeable and friendly guide Emma, ably supported by her husband and “Back-Stop” John (there’s a t-shirt right there!)

Before we go any further, please be aware what follows are my recollections from the tour, and these are no substitute for the real thing. Not even close. For the proper job you need to get to Beverley and book yourself on one of these tours. For the cost of a couple of coffees in your local café you will not regret it.

Things began with a fascinating introductory history lesson from Emma about the origins of the gorgeous gothic Minster as we walked around the ground floor. In doing so it was hard to hold on to the fact that although bigger than a third of all cathedrals in the UK, the Minster is not one itself. Indeed, but for a remarkable engineering rescue job performed on an alarming lean afflicting one of the great stone walls it may not be standing today. Emma explains all.

As the introduction concluded we found ourselves coming to rest by a small, wooden door set in a stone wall - the serious stuff of climbing 113 steps up to the vaults beckoned. Before we set off, with pointed finger John made reference to a decorative ceiling boss about 30 metres above our heads, asking us to remember it for later. With that intriguing comment ringing in our ears, we followed Emma through the door to a dimly (but adequately) lit area at the bottom of a narrow and musty stone staircase which, as you climb, makes you feel like you are inhaling history with each breath. At the top are a number of doors leading to different vaulted areas, signalling the beginning of the “roof” tour.

Unlike downstairs in the main building, the emphasis here in the vaults is on construction without the beautification. This said, like downstairs, echoes of the past are everywhere: aged bespoke bricks from long gone local factories and ancient timbers from old forests to name two. Others are unique to the vaults, including names of long-passed tradesmen etched into windows and stone; and a giant wooden “hamster wheel” … Pardon? What? Haven’t noticed any giant hamsters, at least not yet, so what’s this all about? Our guide didn’t disappoint.

Here I should say if, having read this far, you are inclined or likely to take this tour, please stop reading now if you want to enjoy a tour surprise, and what was for me one of the highlights.

It involves the aforementioned grand hamster wheel (treadmill) and the transportation of materials, waste and equipment from and to the vaults.

Secured firmly to heavy timber ceiling joists, the treadmill was installed in the 1700s and linked to the aforementioned ceiling boss-cum-plug pointed out earlier from ground level by John, using a lengthy and substantial iron chain. When material/s needed to be moved from or to the vault/s above, a workman would climb into the treadmill and begin walking to lower the boss - about three metres in diameter quarter of a ton in weight and - to ground floor level, or walk the other way to raise it back up, as required. Georgian engineering, eh?! Accidents did happen though, I gather. Emma will tell you more.

Nowadays it’s the push of a button to start and stop a powerful electric motor that drives the same chain. I was delighted to find the tour included a demonstration whereby we saw the plug lifted into the apex of the vault. It was quite alarming and unnerving - and irresistible - to look down through that “plug hole” to see and hear the choir 30-odd metres below as they practiced for a concert later that evening.

I rubbed my eyes and paused to consider if I had woken up in a hitherto unscreened episode of Thunderbirds. Was the giant hamster wheel really Thunderbird 6?

113 steps. Worth every one, and more,

The Minster relies hugely on a volunteer workforce, of which Emma and John are two. I hope you get, or can make, the opportunity to visit this gem of the British historical landscape.

David and...

I have visited Beverley Minster many times since moving here, usually to attend an event or concert. Today I visited to see the Gaia exhibition. There was a lovely atmosphere in the Minster today as always; there were lots of visitors there for all sorts of reasons but nowhere felt crowded or rushed. The Minster really is a stunning building so today I also took some time to wander around looking at some of my favourites: stained glass and roof and stone bosses. The stonework in the Minster is particularly fine showing remarkable detail for carvings many centuries old. The roof bosses are elegant in design ; the stone bosses are intricate and beautifully carved. If you have any family ties to the area I would highly recommend that you visit the area dedicated to the East Yorkshire Regiment to view the Roll of Honour from the First and Second World War. There are lovely guides to answer your questions together with a gift shop, toilet facilities and plenty of space to sit in quiet contemplation. Well worth a visit! Also, look out for the sign to the Quiet Garden, on your left as you go back up Minster Moorgate. If the gate is open just by the Parish Offices, you are welcome to go in. Keep an eye out for exhibitions, concerts etc :February 2024 Lux Muralis art...

Get yourself to Beverley Minster and then get yourself a guided tour.  They know so much and make it so informative and interesting, delivered with a bit of humour too.  You'll find out about the first church on the site in 700AD, commencing the current building in the 1300's  to it's current status as a parish church from 1548.  Discover the 3D effect black and white italian marble floor in the choir with an elephant carving and the prop up seats. See St Johns chair of peace, WW1 & WW2 memorials (spot the carved mice) and learn about Beverley Minster as a place of sanctuary through to a film \ TV set double for Westminster Abbey

Step it up a notch with a roof space tour, see what has been identified as a 1000 year old beam and how some oaks were sourced from Sherwood forest.  There's a giant hamster wheel and a view down 80 feet to the people below.  Look out the windows to the old RAF base when WW2 RAF pilots used the Minster to line up to land home after raids and the Luftwaffe used it to line up to bomb Hull!

There's 1300 years of history here, you can read about it on their website or you can come to Beverley and have the local guides bring it alive with their outstanding knowledge and...