16/07/2026
☺️✨⛪ Yesterday we enjoyed an incredible trip to Chester Cathedral!
First, we savoured a lovely coffee and cake in the café which is set in the thirteenth century monks’ dining hall and includes a seventeenth-century tapestry, we were then given a private tour of the Cathedral by Nick!
Amongst other highlights, residents were delighted to view and learn the history of the following awe-inspiring Chester Cathedral features -
The poignant stained-glass window dedicated to famed mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine.
The vibrant Great West Window, installed in 1961 by stained-glass artist W.T. Carter Shapland, which replaced a Victorian window destroyed during World War II. The colourful glass depicts the Holy Family; the Virgin Mary and Child with St. Joseph, surrounded by significant northern English saints.
The famous, quirky elephant and castle wood carving located on the end of the choir stalls!
The stunning Victorian mosaics lining the north aisle wall of the Cathedral nave which were designed by the renowned Victorian artist John Richard Clayton of Clayton and Bell, created between 1883 and 1886, and depict Abraham, Moses, David, and Elijah.
The UK's only cobweb picture, located in the north transept, the fragile 19th-century masterpiece depicts the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus, it was crafted by Tyrolean monks using a unique canvas of unravelled caterpillar silk dipped in milk!
The resplendent Last Supper mosaic, a high-Victorian masterpiece decorating the high altar. Crafted in 1876, the glass mosaic was designed by the prominent English artist J.R. Clayton and executed by the renowned Italian mosaicist Antonio Salviati.
And the incredible decorative ceilings, famous for their striking timber lierne vaulting, vibrant 19th-century painted frescoes, and highly detailed medieval roof bosses.
Moment of the day, however, must go to our wonderful resident, who informed Nick, our truly fabulous guide, that Annie Orpen, mother of highly successful Irish artist Sir William Orpen (1878–1931) painted Chester Cathedral during her 1861 honeymoon, beautifully capturing the gothic architecture. Nick, who has worked at the Cathedral for 41 years and at first received this information with a note of scepticism, graciously conceded after checking with good old google, and thanked our resident sincerely for the fascinating information, citing that he learns something new every day!
What an amazing day we had!
We would like to extend HUGE thanks to brilliant student nurse, Mollie, who has helped us for the last four Wednesday's, Mollie you will fly in life, we hope you greatly enjoy your summer off! 🥂☺️✨
