What’s On May -
August 2025
Welcome
St Albans Cathedral, home to Britain’s first saint, is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.
“Welcome to the summer edition of What’s On at St Albans Cathedral. We hope that you will come and join us in worship, or for a tour, lecture, family activity, concert or to enjoy a quiet moment in this ancient Cathedral and Abbey Church. Once again, this summer is filled with great things for all the family including the return of our popular Summer Holiday Club, the extraordinary International Organ Festival, and of course don’t miss taking part in the Alban Pilgrimage through the city on Saturday 21 June. This is your Cathedral and you are always welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon.”
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans
Contents
Your Visit pg 5
Visitor Highlights pg 7
Tours pg 8
Worship pg 12
Special Services pg 14
Young People pg 16
Family Fun pg 17
Alban Day: Pilgrimage & Festival pg 18
International Organ Festival pg 20
Concerts and Music pg 24
Talks, Workshops and Courses pg 26
Exhibitions pg 30
Summer Holiday Club pg 31
Cathedral Archives and Library pg 32
Volunteering pg 33
Compassionate Café pg 33
Support the Cathedral pg 34
information is correct at the time of going to print |
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.
This June come and celebrate Alban, Britain’s first saint at the Alban Pilgrimage. More details can be found on page 18.
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 £7,000 a day to keep this historic Cathedral open, so please donate generously.
How to book event tickets
Bookings for events taking place at the Cathedral can be made through our website at www.stalbanscathedral.org
You can also book through the Cathedral Box Office, located in the Cathedral Shop, or by calling 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 to St Albans Cathedral can be found at www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit
Abbot’s Kitchen
Open daily 10am - 4pm
Our wonderful café situated in the Welcome Centre is the perfect place to refuel during your visit.
Cathedral Shop
Sundays - Fridays | open 10am - 5pm Saturdays | open 9am - 5pm
Whether you are looking for a memento of your visit to St Albans Cathedral or searching for a special gift, we are sure you will find something in the Cathedral Shop.
Regular worship
All are welcome at our many daily services, the heartbeat of this Cathedral’s active life. See page 12 for more details. Occasionally additional services will be added at short notice. Please check the website before making a special visit.
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 Wondrous Wall Paintings, 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 8.
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.
Rose Window
Built in the 19th century, 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.
The Alban Pilgrimage
This June, witness the return of our annual Alban Pilgrimage, as the city comes together to celebrate Alban, Britain’s first saint. Full details of the Alban Pilgrimage can be found on page 18.
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 2.30pm Saturdays, 10.45am, 11.30am, 1.05pm and 2.30pm Sundays, 1.05pm and 2.30pm
There is no charge for these tours, donations welcome. 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, something specially tailored to your group’s needs or particular interests, or one of our specialist tours.
Please contact us on mail@stalbanscathedral.org or 01727 890200.
© Still Cast Photography
Visually Impaired Persons’ Tour
Last Friday of the month, 1.30pm
We are delighted to be able to offer our guided tours to individuals with visual impairments. A dedicated group of guides has been trained to deliver these guided tactile tours so that our magnificent building can be made more accessible.
Tickets (no charge but donations welcome) 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 chambers, before the final climb onto the roof of the tower. There is a total of 211 steps 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.
More to Explore Tours
Discover more of the treasures of the Cathedral with an experienced guide. All tours start at 1.30pm.
The Tale of Two Shrines | Sunday 8 June
Music in the Abbey | Sunday 20 July
The Feast of Our Lady | Sunday 17 August
Tickets (no charge but donations are welcome) are available from our website or the Cathedral Box Office.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
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.
Built for Glory
A fascinating tour of the 900 year architectural history of the Cathedral.
Flora and Fauna
See how the natural world of Hertfordshire 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.
Grand Designs
Discover the skill and artistry of the medieval builders and craftsmen, including stone and wood carving, stained glass, bell casting, wall painting and illuminated manuscripts.
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 Church, who followed their own path.
Stained glass
The Cathedral houses the works of many of the leading stained-glass artists including a WW1 memorial, biblical scenes, and the Rose Window. Discover the stories behind these windows and their creators.
The Great Survivor Tour
Stand on the hillside where Alban, Britain’s first saint was buried. Walk around the exterior of the cathedral and discover how it has survived revolt, partial collapse and decay. Hear the stories of how it has been added to, rebuilt and restored.
The Peasants’ Revolt
For a few days in June 1381 St Albans Abbey was threatened with destruction. Learn about the events leading up to these momentous days and their aftermath on this tour.
The Power of Pilgrimage
St Albans is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain and the only Cathedral with two medieval shrine bases. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and learn about the practice of pilgrimage from the earliest times to the present day.
Tower and Treasures
A tour exploring the grandeur of the Cathedral floor with its shrines, wall paintings and medieval architecture combined with a climb of the tower to see the ringing chamber, belfry and views from the roof.
Wars of the Roses
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.
Evening Pilgrimages
Our great cathedrals and churches were built to inspire and encourage pilgrims on this journey, with a vision of beauty and holiness, pointing to our heavenly destination.
Evening Pilgrimages offer a guided walk through the Cathedral, accompanied by historical insights, prayers, and silence. They are suitable for parishes, ecumenical groups, prayer groups, deaneries and so on. They start with light refreshments in the Welcome Centre, and end with Compline by candlelight and a visit to the Shrine of St Alban.
Evening Pilgrimages take place throughout the year and must be booked in advance. There is no charge for this, but donations are welcome on the evening. Visit our website to discover the date of the next Evening Pilgrimage and reserve your spot
© Still Cast Photography
Worship Regular Services
Whether you prefer prayer, meditation, services, or lighting a candle, we welcome all to worship.
Sundays
8am Eucharist
9.30am Parish Eucharist
11.15am Choral Eucharist
11.15am Matins (3rd Sunday)
12.30pm Eucharist (3rd Sunday)
6pm Choral Evensong
Weekdays
7.30am Morning Prayer
8am Eucharist
12noon Eucharist at the Shrine 5pm Evensong (Evening Prayer on Mondays)
Saturdays
8.30am Morning Prayer
9am Eucharist
12noon Eucharist in the Lady Chapel 5pm Choral Evensong
© Still Cast Photography
Monthly Services
4th Wednesday 10am Mothers’ Union Eucharist
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 on the third Tuesday of the month at 10.30am.
British Sign Language Service
Informal service for all members of the deaf community. Upcoming services will take place on Saturday 31 May, 2.30pm Saturday 30 August, 3pm
A Day Chaplain is available to talk to most days in the Cathedral. For more information about worship, please visit our website.
Prayer Cards
There are many locations in the Cathedral to light a candle in a moment of private prayer. For extra guidance some of these locations have prayer cards that you are welcome to take with you on your journey and pilgrimage.
Special Services
The Cathedral hosts many special services throughout the year.
Parish Safeguarding Officers Service
Saturday 3 May, 5pm
A service giving thanks for the work of Safeguarding Officers across the Diocese of St Albans.
VE Day 80th Anniversary Evensong
Thursday 8 May, 5pm
A beautiful service of music and readings, sung by the Abbey Singers.
Farewell Service for Bishop Alan
Sunday 18 May, 3pm
A chance to give thanks for the ministry of The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith as he retires after 16 years as our diocesan bishop. All are welcome to join in wishing him well for the future.
Ascension Day
Thursday 29 May
Ascension Day falls 40 days after Easter. On Ascension Day we remember Jesus’s ascension through the clouds into heaven, where he is exalted and sits at the right hand of the Father. Our services throughout the day mark this important feast.
Diocesan Confirmations
Saturday 7 June, 7.30pm
We welcome Baptism and Confirmation candidates and their supporters from across St Albans Diocese to their Cathedral as they take this next step in faith.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Pentecost
Sunday 8 June
Marking the end of the Easter season, Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit and the Christian Church. Observed through the day.
Baptism Celebration
Sunday 15 June, 2pm
A chance to give thanks to God and celebrate alongside all who have been baptised at the cathedral in the last two years.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Installation of Minor Canon Youth Chaplain
Sunday 15 June, 6pm
Join us for evensong as we welcome and install The Revd Jason Wratten as our new Youth Chaplain.
Corpus Christi
Thursday 19 June, 5pm
A Feast celebrating the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The Alban Pilgrimage
Saturday 21 June
11am | Pilgrimage Procession
12 noon | Pilgrimage Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir
2pm | Orthodox Prayers at the Shrine
3pm | Prayers for Healing
4pm | Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir
Address and Compline
Monday 14 April - Wednesday 16 April, 8pm
Ordination of Priests
Saturday 28 June, 2pm
A service of night prayer with an address from our Holy Week preacher, the Revd Max Kramer, Chaplain at Keble College, Oxford.
Ordination of Deacons
Sunday 29 June, 2.30pm
For more information about worship, please visit our website.
Young People
We offer an exciting array of groups for young people at the Cathedral.
Abbey Tots
Tuesdays, 10am, Offa Room
© Toby Shepheard Photography
© Toby Shepheard Photography
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.
St Albans Young Singers
Mondays, 4.45pm - 5.15pm (ages 4 - 6) and 5.15pm - 6pm (ages 7 - 12)
A lively singing group with fun and varied music. This group is open to anyone who is enthusiastic about music.
Xcite
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, 7pm8.15pm
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
Family Fun
There are plenty of fun activities, events and interactive experiences for our young visitors.
Family Discovery Mornings
Thursday 29 May, Thursday 21 August, Thursday 28 August, 10am – 12.30pm.
The Family Discovery Mornings are a wonderful opportunity to explore the Cathedral, learn about its history, dress up, create some art & craft and settle down for some story telling. Each session follows a different theme, so you never do the same trail twice!
Age: approx. 5 – 11 years. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult
No charge, donations welcome. These are drop-in sessions with no advance booking necessary.
A Day in the Life of a Medieval Monk
Wednesday 20 August, 10.30am - 3pm Medieval Monks lived and worked in St Albans for over 700 years, but what exactly did they do? Well, now is your chance to find out by becoming a Monk for a day! Learn to create Illuminated Manuscripts in the Scriptorium, to sing Medieval chants in the Quire and then relax in the herb garden making your own medicines.
Age: 7 – 11 years. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult
Tickets for this activity can be booked in advance from our website.
Alban Day
Pilgrimage & Festival
Saturday 21 June
Join us for this magnificent procession to celebrate Alban, Britain’s first saint in partnership with St Albans City Centre BID.
Special Services
11am
The Cathedral hosts many special services throughout the year, reflecting the church year and supporting local organisations.
Alban Day begins with the spectacular Alban Pilgrimage, a city-wide procession celebrating Britain’s first saint. Starting at St Peter’s Church, giant puppets and pilgrims make their way to the Cathedral in a dramatic retelling of Alban’s story.
12 noon
Epiphany Service with the Blessing of Chalk Sunday 5 January, 9.30am and 11.15am
All are invited to join our Pilgrimage Eucharist with preacher The Very Revd Isaac Poobalan.
Our Epiphany service includes the blessing of chalk to mark the front of our homes with the signs of the Three Kings. 9.30am Parish Eucharist with distribution of posies.
For more information about worship, please visit our website.
12 noon - 5pm
After the Pilgrimage procession, the Festival fun continues on the Cathedral Orchard, High Street, and surrounding area. St Albans Cathedral and St Albans City Centre BID proudly present a packed programme of family-friendly fun for all ages. Expect gladiator shows, Roman soldiers, clay making, crafts, live demonstrations, and delicious food and drink. Explore pop-up activities, shop the market, and enjoy a full day of discovery and celebration in the heart of the city.
4pm
Close the day with a moment of reflection at Pilgrimage Evensong in the Cathedral, concluding with a procession to the Shrine of St Alban.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Monday 7 July - Saturday 19 July 2025
The St Albans International Organ Festival and Competitions is a biennial event not to be missed, for all music lovers. The 33rd Festival will present exhilarating music by inspirational performers, celebrating the organ and so much more.
All events take place at St Albans Cathedral unless otherwise stated. Find out more at organfestival.com.
Interpretation and Improvisation Competitions
Top organists aged 33 and under from across the world will compete in a total of 15 competition rounds, running from Monday 7 July to the finals on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 July.
Tickets from £15 per round (season ticket £150, a saving of £75). Free admission for under 18s and for students in full-time education.
BBC Sunday Worship from St Peter’s Church
Sunday 6 July, 8.10am, St Peter’s Church, St Albans
A live BBC Radio 4 broadcast. Led by the Reverend Mark Dearnley; guest preacher the Reverend Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s Church, Piccadilly; Choir of St Peter’s Church directed by Nicholas Robinson.
Tickets (no charge) available from our website.
Dame Mary Beard presents ‘Monstrous Regiments’
Tuesday 8 July, 8.30pm
Dame Mary Beard’s captivating storytelling is illustrated by spellbinding songs and arias performed by soprano Nardus Williams and lutenist Elizabeth Kenny.
Tickets £28, available from our website.
Jean-Baptiste Robin Interview
Wednesday 9 July, 1pm
The composer of the commissioned work for this year’s Interpretation Competition is interviewed by Artistic Director David Titterington.
Tickets (no charge) available from our website.
By Candlelight: Ja-kyung Oh, harpsichord
Wednesday 9 July, 10pm, St Michael’s Church, St Albans
A late-night performance of Sweelinck, Couperin, Rameau and Bach in the atmospheric and historical setting of St Michael’s Church.
Tickets £15, available from our website.
Bach Corner: Carolyn Craig
Thursday 10 July, 1.15pm
Bach performed by an outstanding young organist: 30 minutes of uplifting music in the middle of the day. Sponsored by RCO Foundation.
Tickets (no charge) available from our website.
London Handel Players: Vivaldi, Handel & Bach
Thursday 10 July, 8pm
Adrian Butterfield director & violin | Rachel Brown flute & recorder | James Laing alto | Martin Schmeding organ. A concert dedicated to David Laing CBE (1945–2024), who did so much for music and charities.
Tickets £15 - £30, available from our website.
Bach Corner: Luke Mitchell
Friday 11 July, 1.15pm
Bach performed by an outstanding young organist: thirty minutes of uplifting music in the middle of the day. Sponsored by RCO Foundation.
Tickets (no charge) available from our website.
By Candlelight: Choir of King’s College London
Friday 11 July, 10pm, St Michael’s Church, St Albans
Joseph Fort conductor | Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil
Rachmaninoff’s extraordinary Vespers, immortalising the music and rituals of the Orthodox Church, in an hour-long performance.
Tickets £15, available from our website.
Jury recital: Simon Harden, organ
Saturday 12 July, 4.30pm, St Peter’s Church, St Albans
Tickets £15, available from our website.
Britten Sinfonia perform Beethoven’s Ninth
Saturday 12 July, 7.30pm
Paul Daniel conductor | Sophie Bevan soprano | Catherine Wyn-Rogers alto | Peter Hoare tenor | Robert Hayward bass and St Albans Bach Choir and Choir of King’s College London. Beethoven Symphony no.9 and Brahms Alto Rhapsody; Academic Festival Overture, with a star roster of performers.
Tickets £17 - £48, available from our website.
Jury recital: Nathan Laube, organ
Saturday 13 July, 3pm
Tickets £15, available from our website.
Alim Beisembayev, piano
Sunday 13 July, 8.30pm
Music by Debussy, Liszt, and Chopin. A BBC New Generation Artist, Beisembayev won First Prize at The Leeds International Piano Competition in 2021. ‘There’s no pianist under 30 in the world I would rather hear’ – The Telegraph.
Tickets £15 - £30, available from our website.
Jury recital: Margaret Phillips, organ
Monday 14 July, 1pm, Christ Church Spitafields, London
Tickets £15, available from our website.
Three Choirs
Monday 14 July, 7.30pm
The Choirs of St Albans Cathedral, New College Oxford and Temple Church. Conducted by William Fox, Robert Quinney and Thomas Allery. The hugely popular Three Choirs concert returns! Book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets £17 - 40, available from our website.
Jacqui Dankworth, live in concert
Tuesday 15 July, 8.30pm
Join Jacqui and her world-class trio for a night of spectacular music to celebrate the release of her stunning new album, Windmills.
Tickets £15 - £30, available from our website.
Lucy Crowe soprano & Anna Tilbrook piano
Wednesday 16 July, 8pm
Songs by Dvorak, Madeleine Dring, Debussy, Mendelssohn and Strauss. One of the world’s great sopranos, in a recital with her distinguished accompanist. ‘Her pure soprano took us heavenwards with dazzling high notes until we arrived at paradise itself’ – The Times.
Tickets £15 - £30, available from our website.
Bach Corner: Hamish Wagstaff
Thursday 17 July, 1.15pm
Still Cast Photography
Bach performed by an outstanding young organist: thirty minutes of uplifting music in the middle of the day. Sponsored by RCO Foundation.
Tickets (no charge) available from our website.
Cloister, a novel: Music Obsession Death
Thursday 17 July, 5pm
Documentary filmmaker Will Fraser reads from his Cathedral-set first novel.
Tickets (no charge) available from our website.
Jury recital: Jean-Baptiste Robin, organ
Thursday 17 July, 6pm
Tickets £15, available from our website.
Bach Corner: Daniel Colaner
Friday 18 July, 1.15pm
Bach performed by an outstanding young organist: thirty minutes of uplifting music in the middle of the day. Sponsored by RCO Foundation.
Tickets (no charge) available from our website.
Presentation of Prizes
Friday 18 July, 11am
Your chance to hear the winners of the 33rd St Albans International Organ Competition, performing together in a celebratory programme.
Tickets £15, available from our website.
Concerts and Music
Tickets and more information about our upcoming concerts can be found on our website.
International Organ Festival Concert with William Fox
Saturday 17 May, 6.30pm
William Fox, Director of Music, gives a wide-ranging recital of organ music, with works by Couperin, Whitlock and Francis Pott.
80’s Silent Disco
Friday 23 May, 8pm
Great Gatsby Ball
Saturday 24 May 6.30pm
Step into the Roaring Twenties at the Gatsby Soiree! Fashion, live swing, cabaret and glamour await in a stunning setting.
Music Trust Lunchtime Concert
Monday 19 May, 1pm | Tring Park
Monday 23 June, 1pm | Hertfordshire Music Service
Godlee and Tilbrook | A Song Recital
Friday 30 May, 7.30pm
Julian Godlee (bass-baritone) performs with celebrated pianist Anna Tilbrook in a delightful evening of song by Schumann, Vivaldi, Fauré and Eva Cassidy.
Herts Chorus | The Dream of Gerontius
Saturday 31 May, 7.30pm
Hertfordshire Chorus returns to St Albans Cathedral to perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
Pedalling Pilgrim Cello Recital
Thursday 5 June, 6.30pm
Part of a seven week, 2,000 mile pilgrimage around the 42 English Cathedrals.
St Albans Bach Choir: Concert of Choral Masterpieces
Saturday 14 June, 7.30pm
St Albans Bach Choir and Sinfonia Verdi present Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Purcell’s Welcome to all the Pleasures with a lineup of stellar soloists.
Concerts by Candlelight
Whitney Houston | Wednesday 18 June, 7.30pm
80s Anthems | Thursday 19 June, 7.30pm
The Beatles | Wednesday 13 August, 7.30pm
The Music of U2 | Thursday 14 August, 7.30pm
Country Music | Friday 15 - Saturday 16 August, 7.30pm
Electric Umbrella
Tuesday 24 June, 10.30am
Electric Umbrella’s super group raise their voices together to shine a light on inclusion, celebrate differences and spread smiles.
Kenny Thomas live at St Albans Cathedral
Friday 25 July, 7pm
Multi-platinum soul icon Kenny Thomas performs with a full band.
Ibiza Proms
Saturday 26 July, 6.30pm
A 40 Piece Orchestra creates a musical journey to the White Isle.
Music of Bond | Limelight Orchestra
Friday 29 August, 6.30pm and 8.45pm
Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites Illuminated
Saturday 30 August, 6.30pm and 8.45pm
Organ Recitals
Hear our world-famous organ in our series of free-to-enter concerts.
Wednesday 14 May, 12.30pm
Keith Brown, Our Lady of the Assumption, Warwick Street
Wednesday 11 June, 12.30pm
James Gough, Southwark Cathedral
Sunday 3 August, 3pm
James McVinnie, International Recitalist
Sunday 10 August, 3pm
Conor McGlone, Organ Scholar, St Albans Cathedral
Monday 25 August, 3pm
Friedhelm Flamme, Germany
Talks, Workshops and Courses
St Albans Cathedral offers a rich programme designed to explore faith, history and culture from many different angles.
The Prophet of Good News: Isaiah 40-55 (SACT & SACT+)
Tuesday evenings 6 May - 10 June, 7.30pm - 9.15pm, Online
Explore Isaiah 40-55 in depth - these chapters are highly poetic with some of the most profound imagery of all the Bible. They mark a high point in thinking about the nature of God, the course of history, and about salvation and redemptive suffering.
Tutor: The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor Tickets £75, available from our website.
Nicaea Then and Now: The Council and Creed After 1700 Years
Wednesday 21 May, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room and Online
This year marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea - but what exactly are we commemorating? Nicaea (325) was the first ecumenical council, and its legacy had far-reaching consequences, including a creed that is still used throughout the world every Sunday. Explore what prompted the calling of this unprecedented gathering of bishops, and what happened when they met.
Speaker: The Revd Dr Mark Smith, Clare College, Cambridge Tickets £12 (£6), available from our website.
A Watershed Debate: What Does the Future Hold for Our Waterways?
Wednesday 28 May, 7.30pm – 8.30pm, St Albans Cathedral
Join us for a thought-provoking debate on the future of our rivers and lakes, with a special focus on the Rivers Ver and Lea. A panel of experts and advocates will explore critical issues, offering insights into the current status of our rivers and discussing the future of water management and conservation.
Speakers: Hilary Marlow – Canon Environmentalist, John Pritchard – Chair of the Ver Valley Society, Daisy Cooper – Lib Dem MP, Erica Popplewell – River Action UK
No charge, donations welcome.
John Chapple and the Restoration of the Abbey Tower
Wednesday 4 June, 8pm– 9.30pm, St Albans Cathedral
Discover the story of John Chapple, Clerk of Works, and his heroic efforts to save the Abbey Tower as it started to crack. Hosted jointly with Blue Plaques St Albans, this talk reveals the story behind the man who played a pivotal role in a tumultuous period of restoration.
Speaker: James Gaffney, Cathedral Guide
Tickets £12 (£6), available from our website.
Stained-Glass Workshop
Saturday 7 June, 10.30am – 3.30pm, Alban Room
Join Hicca Glass for a hands-on workshop learning how to make your very own stained-glass sun catcher. We will explore how stained-glass windows are made, and then you will learn how to cut and grind glass, copper foil, solder and patina. At the end of the day, you will have your very own mini stained-glass window to take home.
Tutor: Ellie Grana, Founder of Hicca Glass
Tickets £85, available from our website.
‘Healing to a heresy’: the Problem of Perfection
Thursday 12 June, 7.30pm – 9pm, Online via Zoom
Does the Western Church embrace a heretical anthropology? Join the Revd Canon Timothy Goode to explore what Christian anthropology looks like and the difference it would directly have on the mission and ministry of the Church.
Speaker: The Revd Canon Timothy Goode, Lecturer in Theology of Disability
Tickets £10 (students £6), available from our website.
From Matthew Paris to the Luttrell Psalter: Chronicling the Near-Present in English Manuscript Margins
Saturday 14 June, 1.30pm – 3pm, Alban Room and Online
In 1236, Matthew Paris became the abbey’s historian and chronicle-writer. Remarkably, Paris illustrated his own manuscripts, using distinctive marginal images to amplify elements of his narrative. Explore Paris’s use of marginal images before considering how other artists made use of manuscript margins to comment on their own time, including the Luttrell Psalter’s illuminations of Lincolnshire farmlands and animals, alongside outrageous monsters and other marvels.
Speaker: Prof Alixe Bovey, The Courtauld Institute
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
© Matthew Paris, Henry III processes from St Paul’s to Westminster Abbey with the relic of the Holy Blood in 1247 (© Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 016II, fol. 216r)
Diarmaid MacCulloch on Christianity and Sex
Thursday 26 June, 7.30pm –9pm, St Albans Cathedral
Religion and sex are inextricably tangled in politics across our contemporary world, often in toxic ways, and the long history of that tangle in the Christian world has frequently been simplified and misunderstood. Drawing on his recent book, Lower than the Angels, Diarmaid MacCulloch will explore how three thousand years of constant change in Judaism, Christianity and Islam have shaped the ways in which we look at sexuality and families in our own age.
Speaker: Diarmaid MacCulloch, Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
‘Let These Stones Speak’: The Architecture of St Albans Cathedral
Tuesday evenings, 20 May – 24 June (excluding 10 June), 6pm – 7.30pm, St Albans Cathedral
Immerse yourself in the Cathedral’s extraordinary 900-year architectural history in an intimate, after-hours setting. Discover the evolving architectural styles that have shaped this iconic building, from the powerful abbots who left their mark, to the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) Victorian restoration that redefined its structure. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or simply curious about how this awe-inspiring building came to be, this course is designed for anyone with a passion for learning.
Tutor: Laurie Gibson, Cathedral Guide
Tickets £75, available from our website.
The Way of St Alban: Pilgrimage to the Protomartyr in the Middle Ages
Thursday 3 July, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and Online
Today, visitors to St Albans Cathedral can again encounter the shrines of Alban and his co-martyr Amphibalus. These carefully reconstructed monuments recall the community of monks that curated the cult of these Romano-British martyrs for some seven hundred years. Explore the traces of the pilgrims to these shrines and what happened to them when, at last, they knelt before the shrines.
Speaker: Professor James Clar, University of Exeter
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
Exhibition
Watershed: A River’s Call to Action
Thursday 1 May - Monday 31 May, North Transept Artists Laura Dekker, Angela Mellen and Liz Sergeant have created Watershed: A River’s Call to Action, a large-scale, interactive art installation inspired by the vitality and the vulnerability of our rivers. Its purpose is to engage people with the urgent crisis facing these fragile ecosystems. Hosted for a month in the magnificent space of St Albans Cathedral, Watershed bears witness to this crisis on a very particular river, the River Ver.
No charge, donations welcome.
Summer Holiday Club
Monday 28 July - Friday 1 August, 10am - 3pm
Start your summer in the best way possible! Join us for an exciting and creative summer holiday club here at St Albans Cathedral. Last year, we had a fantastic mix of activities like science, cooking, theatre, arts, and more and this year, we are planning something just as special! With a variety of engaging activities for all ages, there’s no better way to start your summer.
Suitable for Year 1 - Year 6
Visit our website for more details and to book a place on the Summer Holiday Club.
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.
The Archives
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.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Volunteer with us
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
Compassionate Café
Come along to our Compassionate Café in partnership with charity Rennie Grove Peace. The Café provides a safe space for people who have experienced bereavement to come along for a cuppa, to connect and have a chat with others who understand.
No need to book, so please just come along. There will be trained volunteers on hand to chat and provide a listening ear.
These run on the first Monday of every month in the Abbot’s Kitchen from 2pm until 3.30pm, drop in between those times.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
The Friends of St Albans Cathedral
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 £7,000 a day to keep the 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.
For the latest information visit our website and sign up for our What’s On newsletter; www.stalbanscathedral.org/join-our-mailing-list
St Albans Cathedral
Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY Cathedral Office: 01727 890210
Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org
Registered Charity Number 1207312 www.stalbanscathedral.org
