Bangor Cathedral — Attraction in Great Britain

This small but beautiful cathedral traces it's roots to as far back as AD 525, which made it only the second cathedral in Britain at the time. Nothing of the original buildings remains however. Nor does anything of the subsequent Norman structure constructed in the 12th Century. The current structure we see today was constructed between 1480 and 1532. Older tombs were moved into the building we see today it is worth noting. Inside the little cathedral is quite a beautiful place. Everything is spotlessly maintained and polished and preserved and well lit. It is even heated in parts. I was fortunate to visit when the cathedral was empty and explore it at will. There are too many ornate points of interest to mention within the building and photographically it is a dream. The dark, carved Mostyn Christ that dates back to the late 1400's is something that really caught my eye on the wall to the right just before the main exit. The church is free to enter but there is a little donations table that takes bank cards. This did not intrude upon the spirituality of the place for me. I did not see evidence of a little shop within the cathedral when I was there thankfully. I don't know if this has been permanently closed?. There are nearby paying car parks and a small disabled only car park close the cathedral itself. There is a disabled lift at the main exit. Opening and closing times change daily, so it is important to know these before visiting. There were no guides present on my visit, but I have heard these can be present at busier times. A beautiful place that is well worth a visit...

Because St Deiniol was consecrated bishop in 546, Bangor claims to be the oldest diocese in Britain, fifty years before St Augustine arrived in Kent from Rome. But there's the rub - he wasn't consecrated by the Pope or a representative thereof. St Deiniol was of the Celtic church. Regardless, the site of the cathedral is plainly ancient, but the present structure is largely late-medieval.

The guides inside were very friendly, even if they seemed apologetic that their cathedral lacked size or cachet. I would certainly say it is larger than a large parish church and there is certainly much of interest and beauty within. I was certainly taken by a couple of paintings done by a local painter called John Gregory using contemporary figures in the style of Caravaggio.

I was an hour in the cathedral. My only complaint is that there's no guidebook in English to allow me to learn...

Bangor Cathedral, Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor, was founded in the 6th century by Saint Deiniol. Nothing of the original building survives, or many of the following iterations as it has a rich history of being destroyed. It was sacked by Vikings in 634 and 1073. The next cathedral built by the Normans was destroyed in 1211 by King John's army raiding Gwynedd. The church was rebuilt in the 13th century, but damaged further Edward I invaded Gwynedd in 1282. In 1402, the church burned to the ground during the Glyndwr Rebellion. The current structure is largely late 15th century, with significant restoration from the 19th century by George Gilbert Scott. Apart from the rood screen by Oldrid Scott, much of the woodwork is from this era, carved by Robert Thompson. Thompson famously carved a handful of little mice around...