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SPACE is a spectacular internal sound and light show created by award winning artistic collaboration ‘Luxmuralis’, Peter Walker Sculptor and David Harper Composer. When you visit SPACE you will be on an immersive journey through light and sound that transforms the interior of majestic Worcester Cathedral. The visual spectacular allows viewers to go on a journey through space and time and gives you the chance to walk amongst the stars. Sound and light art is projected onto the stunning architectural features within the Cathedral and visitors are enveloped with bespoke music as you view and experience a journey to the edge of the Universe and back. You will walk through projection art installations, be immersed in the sound and light, and have chance to explore and contemplate your own personal journeys. Head over to our What's On page to book tickets now.

Having grown up in Worcester, Catherine is now based in Surrey where she is working with various space missions to help understand why Mars is so different to Earth. Having studied geophysics at undergraduate level, she is applying this knowledge to the Martian system – researching volcanoes, atmosphere loss, dust storms and plasma, with the aim of answering the ultimate question: Is there life on Mars? Join Catherine and hear about how she ended up at a world-leading space laboratory, the history of our fascination with Mars and details about the upcoming launch of the Rosalind Franklin Rover in 2023.

The Voluntary Choir, founded in 1874, starts a new chapter as a choir for girls and boys in school years 4 to 8. The choir will rehearse weekly on Wednesday evenings and sing each Sunday in the magnificent surroundings of Worcester Cathedral at the 6.30pm service. Worcester Cathedral is seeking children who enjoy singing and would like the opportunity to meet new friends, learn new music and perform regularly in an inspiring space. No audition is required, and families will be warmly welcomed as part of the Cathedral’s community. The Youth Choir welcomes teenage singers in school years 9 to 13. The choir will rehearse weekly on Friday evenings and enjoy a variety of performance opportunities during each term. Joining Worcester Cathedral Youth Choir will give enthusiastic teenage singers the opportunity to explore a variety of choral music and perform at a high level whilst enjoying social time with new friends. Worcester Cathedral’s Director of Music, Samuel Hudson, said: “We are delighted to be offering more opportunities for young singers in Worcester and the surrounding area to join us in this truly magnificent setting. “It’s very exciting to be launching the first new choir at the Cathedral for 15 years, and we look forward to welcoming new choir members and their families.” Assistant Director of Music, Nicholas Freestone, added: “I am delighted to be conducting the relaunched Voluntary Choir and new Youth Choir and look forward to welcoming many new young singers to these groups. Worcester Cathedral has been a place of musical excellence for centuries, and it is truly exciting for this new chapter to begin, as we offer a greater number of opportunities than ever before for young singers across the city of Worcester and beyond.” For further information, or to discuss joining one of these choirs, please contact Nicholas Freestone, Assistant Director of Music: nicholasfreestone@worcestercathedral.org.uk

The awards focus on formal, curriculum-linked learning provision, with recognition also made of informal learning such as family programmes and community outreach. The judge, Susan Walker, was very impressed by the learning programmes on offer at the Cathedral and felt they were worthy of commendation by the scheme. We were specifically commended for our brand new Undercroft Learning Centre, the morale of the education team, learning outcomes, creating engaging experiences, our new STEM programmes, contributing to the understanding of our heritage and the natural environment and our learning resources, amongst others. Susan said: "The superb new teaching space in the Undercroft Learning Centre, combined with the new and committed Learning Team of staff and enthusiastic volunteers, will ensure that young visitors to Worcester Cathedral will continue to learn about their local and national heritage in a variety of interesting and stimulating ways." Director of Learning at Worcester Cathedral, Daniel Parnell, said: "We're absolutely delighted to have been recognised by this prestigious national award. It's been a tough 18 months for education, facing the challenges of the pandemic. We're really pleased that we were able to contribute some remote provision to engage with schools during the lockdowns, and we're excited to be able to welcome more visits again and bring the story of our incredible cathedral to life for school children."

After dark, the Cathedral will open its doors to welcome visitors of all ages to experience and explore our beautiful building after hours. There will be an 'Angels' theme this year, and visitors can expect after hours fun, contemplation, an angel hunt, atmospheric music and lots and lots of candles! Enjoy a glass of wine and other refreshments in the medieval Cloister. Times are to be confirmed. More details will follow shortly, so please keep an eye on our website and social channels for updates.

Throughout August, an installation of steel 'Hope' leaves, by artist Peter Walker, lined the floor of the Cathedral's Lady Chapel, as a reflective memorial to the effects of the pandemic. Designed to honour those who have lost their lives, but also to allow everyone to take a moment to contemplate what we have been through and to think about loved ones. The leaves were laid out on the Cathedral floor, creating a beautiful impression of autumn leaves fallen from the trees. Appearing as though naturally scattered by the wind, the leaves symbolised the past and what has transpired. However, the leaf is also emblematic of the future. The artist chose a sycamore maple leaf as it symbolises strength, protection, eternity and clarity.

In case you missed us, we were delighted to welcome BBC Midlands Today to the Cathedral to help us mark the first national NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day. Our famous bells were heard across the city at 8pm for 45 minutes on Monday evening to mark this first national day of recognition to mark the anniversary of the birth of the National Health Service in 1948. The Dean of Worcester Cathedral, Peter Atkinson, said: “The NHS has been treasured since its inception, but never more so since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. “We were proud to ring our bells to show our gratitude and support to all of our doctors, nurses, paramedics, carers and other critical workers who gave their all to keep our essential services running while the country faced the pandemic. “We also remember all those who have lost their lives to this dreadful disease and their loved ones who are left behind.”

We recently received our brand-new bike racks, kindly donated to us by the Park That Bike initiative. Earlier this year, cyclists from the Cathedral, including Bishop John Inge, took part in the National Cathedral Cycle Route - a relay which saw cyclists travelling nearly 2,000 miles between all 42 English Cathedrals. Launched during Bike Week 2021, the Cathedrals Cycle Route was a unique partnership between the Association of English Cathedrals, the British Pilgrimage Trust, Cycling UK and Sustrans, and linked all 42 Church of England Cathedrals in a new initiative to promote greener travel and mental and physical wellbeing. The Dean of Worcester Cathedral, Peter Atkinson, said: "We whole-heartedly support the ethos of the cycle challenge, promoting greener travel and mental and physical wellbeing, the importance of which has been highlighted by the challenges we have all faced during the pandemic. “We look forward to welcoming as many cyclists as possible to the Cathedral going forward, where you can find the perfect place to cool off, refresh and rehydrate, whilst enjoying our beautiful setting."