Half of England’s cathedrals welcome dogs
IT’S not quite all creatures great and small, yet more than half of England’s cathedrals have opened their doors to welcome not just Christians – but dogs too.
A total of 23 out of the country’s 42 cathedrals now welcome well-behaved canines, The Telegraph can reveal.
The cathedrals allowing congregants and visitors to bring their pets are: Bradford, Bristol, Carlisle, Coventry, Chester, Chichester, Derby, Durham, Ely, Lincoln, Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Sheffield, Southwell Minster, St Edmundsbury, Truro, Winchester, Worcester and Wells.
The Association of English Cathedrals said: “Dogs are such an important part of so many people’s daily lives – more so since the pandemic – and while all cathedrals have always welcomed assistance dogs, some of our cathedrals have begun to open as dog-friendly spaces. This is done mindfully with strict rules in place to make sure all our cathedrals remain safe and enjoyable spaces for all visitors at all times.”
The spokesman added that all of the 23 cathedrals that welcome dogs have certain restrictions, namely that they are not allowed to attend services or events “unless it’s a doggie service”, with some premises banning them from cafes. All cathedrals also allow assistance dogs. All dogs must also be kept close, on short leads and not allowed near other people.
The Association of English Cathedrals added that some dog-friendly cathedrals operate “no dog” times for those who would rather visit when there are no canines around.
Rev Canon Simon Holland, the interim dean of Chichester, which counts itself among the dog-friendly cathedrals, said: “We were delighted to welcome dogs into the cathedral, during visiting hours, from last spring.
“Chichester is a city surrounded by land and sea – from the South Downs, to the sandy dunes of the Witterings. Dogs and animals are a key part of life here in West Sussex and we felt it was time for us to reflect this, and the needs of the communities we serve.”
Lichfield Cathedral has also confirmed that it will now make a dogfriendly trial, which began last year, permanent. Wells Cathedral also won silver for best dog-friendly cafe in awards last year and Durham’s volunteers are currently working with the British Guide Dog Trust to ensure a better visitor experience and welcome.
English cathedrals have recently been the subject of controversy amid increasing numbers hosting silent discos. These faced criticism from petitioners who claimed that silent discos belong in nightclubs, not cathedrals.
In January, The Telegraph revealed one in four cathedrals are now charging for entry, prompting fears that access is increasingly being restricted to the rich.