Yes, Chester Cathedral is generally free to enter for most of the year, including for worship and general sightseeing, but they do ask for donations and may have small fees for specific events or during peak summer and Christmas periods. It's a living church and welcomes visitors, with the entrance fee often being a donation that supports its upkeep.
However, we do have a small entry fee (children 5 and under free) during Summer and Christmas. We do encourage donations which we rely on to keep our doors open as it costs £6,000 a day to maintain this magnificent heritage site and we receive no regular government funding.
Most cathedrals don't charge an admission fee, but say they are grateful for visitor donations. The Association of English Cathedrals says cathedrals that do charge, give free access to those attending services and for private prayer.
Chester Cathedral is many things to many people: a vibrant community of worship, an ancient abbey, an archaeological treasure, a cultural hub, a centre of musical excellence, a unique blend of modern and medieval history.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral has reopened, welcoming visitors and pilgrims once again. Entry is free, and walk-ins are allowed, though lines can get very long, especially on weekends and during peak hours.
Choral Evensong | Sunday 25 January 2026 | Chester Cathedral
Is it worth paying to see St. Paul's Cathedral?
Yes, St Paul's Cathedral is widely considered worth visiting for its iconic architecture, significant history, stunning city views from the dome galleries (including the Whispering Gallery), and the peaceful crypt, offering a rich experience for history buffs, architecture lovers, and general tourists alike, despite the entrance fee.
Free to view the Chester castle exterior from the circuit of the city walls during reasonable daylight hours. There's a fee for the guided tours of the castle proper seasonally that visitors will find here.
✨ Chester has officially been crowned the 'prettiest city in the world'! 🌍💫 A recent study analysed over 2,400 buildings across cities worldwide using the Golden Ratio, a timeless measure of beauty, ranking Chester highest — even ahead of Venice and Rome.
Can I visit the cathedral for free? No, to visit the cathedral you pay an entrance fee of 5 euros. To visit the museum and the roof terrace of the Duomo, with its magnificent view, you must purchase separate tickets. More info about these tickets for the roof terrace of the Milan Duomo.
Café 1092 is set in our thirteenth century monks' dining hall and is a Chester feature not to be missed. Whether on a cathedral visit, a shopping trip in Chester, or a business meeting, our stunning café is the perfect stop for coffee or lunch.
Completed in 1880, Cologne Cathedral was once the largest building in the world! 🏰 This stunning Gothic masterpiece took over 600 years to build, facing countless challenges and long pauses along the way. Today, it stands as the iconic landmark of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Liverpool's two cathedrals, though distinct in style and denomination, share a common thread of resilience, innovation, and community spirit. They are architectural masterpieces that tell the story of Liverpool's past, present, and future.
It is free to access the walls' walkway at any time. Tours depart from the Town Hall Visitor Information Centre. There is a small fee for the tours, which generally last 90 minutes. The Chester City Walls surround a small rectangular area in the heart of the city.
Once the site of a Roman Fort named Deva Victrix, Chester allows visitors to imagine and explore what life was like when the city was under their rule. The City Walls date to Roman times, and visitors can walk them while enjoying spectacular views of landmarks and the hustle and bustle of daily life in Chester.
St. Paul's Cathedral's crypt is the final resting place for many of Britain's national heroes, including Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and architect Sir Christopher Wren, alongside scientists like Alexander Fleming, artist J.M.W. Turner, and nurse Florence Nightingale, with many more notable figures interred or memorialized there.
The Crown Jewels is a definite must-see – it's home to an impressive collection of diamond-encrusted state crowns alongside many other precious treasures, from historic gold chalices to royal robes.
