Religious Buildings

Religious Buildings

What are they and what do they involve?

Religious buildings are venues where members of the religion can go to socialise and worship, and while they can often be historic buildings, they can also be extremely modern. As each venue is dedicated towards practicing a specific religion the exact details will vary greatly, but you are guaranteed both a memorable and educational experience!

What are the benefits?

Religion is such a common part of modern life that it’s important to educate students in all aspects of it; a visit to a religious building to see faith in action can be a great alternative way of learning to accompany their classroom studies and can help encourage acceptance of all cultures!

What students is it suitable for?

Religious buildings are generally suitable for all ages! If you are unsure, make sure to check with the specific venue to see what they advise.

Costs?

Many religious buildings are free to enter, but some larger venues that attract tourists may have a small entry fee.

Safety Implications?

It’s important to make sure students respect any customs and that they do not disturb any quiet areas – younger children will need to be supervised carefully.

Venues for this Category

Lindisfarne is a delightful, unspoiled, historic island lies just off the extreme Northeast corner of England near Berwick-upon-Tweed. The small population of just over 160 persons is swelled by the influx of over 650,000 visitors from all over the world every year.

One of the UK's first stone-built churches, St. Peter’s, built on land given by King Ecgfrith to St. Benedict Biscop in 673 AD, is the earlier of the twin site (along with St Paul's Monastery, Jarrow.) to come to life.

The remains of one of the first Augustinian priories in England, founded about 1100.

An impressive example of early Norman architecture, built in flint and reused Roman brick, the church displays massive circular pillars and round arches and an elaborate west front.

Later badly damaged by cannon fire during the Civil War siege of 1648.

Iona is a tiny island off the southwest coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. It is only 1.5 miles wide by 3 miles long, with a population of around 120 permanent residents. Despite this, Iona has a special place in the heart of many people the world over. It is the burial place of many of the ancient kings of Scotland including both Duncan and Macbeth on the 'Street of the Dead'.

The mainly 14th century remains of an abbey of Premonstratensian canons. Among Suffolk’s most impressive monastic ruins, with some spectacular architectural features.

The remains of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1148, set on the banks of the Ribble against a backdrop of dramatic hills. After its dissolution in 1536, the monks were briefly returned to the abbey during the Pilgrimage of Grace. They remained in possession until the insurrection's collapse and the execution of their abbot.

One of the first private landscaped cemeteries in London, it is one of the Magnificent Seven cemeteries of London, and is a site of major historical, architectural and ecological interest.

Its grounds are a mixture of historic monumental cemetery and modern lawn cemetery, but it also boasts catacombs, a crematorium and a columbarium for cinery ashes. 

The priory of St Helen stands on a gravel island on the west side of the River Idle, in what was marshland in the Middle Ages.

It was established in 1185 by Roger fitzRalph of nearby Mattersey for the Gilbertine Order, the only monastic order to have originated in England.

The substantial ruins of a Cluniac monastery, with an unusually well-marked ground plan, an almost complete west range and a 15th century gatehouse.

17th-century thatched Baptist meeting house

Discover Loughwood, one of the earliest surviving Baptist churches in the country. Founded in secret during a time of great persecution towards non-conformists, this beautiful chapel is set into the hillside and looks out over the rolling east Devon countryside with views of the Axe Valley.

The tranquil ruins of Wenlock Priory stand in a picturesque setting on the fringe of beautiful Much Wenlock. An Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded here in about 680 by King Merewalh of Mercia, whose abbess daughter Milburge was hailed as a saint. Her relics were miraculously re-discovered here in 1101, attracting both pilgrims and prosperity to the priory.

The elaborately decorated ruins of a 14th century chancel and chapter house (viewable only from the outside), attached to the still operational cathedral-like minster church. 

Impressive ruins of a Cistercian abbey, including its unusually unaltered 12th century church, beautiful vaulted and tile-floored chapter house, and recently re-opened crypt chapel.

Situated in a wooded Severn-side setting, not far from the Iron Bridge and Wenlock Priory.

The diverse inhabitants of this large London cemetery include engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (d. 1859), newsagent W.H.Smith (d. 1865), computer pioneer Charles Babbage (d. 1871), tightrope walker Charles Blondin (d. 1897), novelists William Thackeray (d. 1863), Anthony Trollope (d. 1882) and Wilkie Collins (d. 1889), and Major Walter Wingfield (d. 1912), the inventor of lawn tennis.

If peace and tranquillity is what you seek from a family day out in Yorkshire, then Rievaulx Abbey is the perfect choice. Set in a remote valley in the North York Moors National Park, Rievaulx is one of the most complete, and atmospheric, of England’s abbey ruins. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North.

The simple tomb of Sir Winston Churchill can be found in the grounds of St Martin. He was buried here in 1965 after the last non-royal state funeral in Britain. He shares the cemetery with his wife, Clementine, his mother and other members of the Churchill family.

Women's rights pioneer Mary Wollstonecraft (d. 1797) and her husband William Godwin (d. 1836), were buried here, along with their daughter, Mary Shelley (d. 1851), the author of Frankenstein, and the heart of her husband, Percy Shelley (d. 1822). Other graves include that of the inventor of the Bailey bridge, Sir Ronald Bailey (d. 1985).

Extensive ruins of an Augustinian abbey, later a Civil War stronghold, in a deeply rural setting.

Much of the church survives, unusually viewable from gallery level, along with the lavishly sculpted processional door and other cloister buildings. 

History

The Cathedral of St, Mary & St Anne, known locally as the North Cathedral is located at the top of Shandon Street, in one of the most historic areas of Cork. The Cathedral is the principal church of the diocese of Cork & Ross and is the place where major diocesan celebrations take place. The Cathedral was dedicated in 1808 and celebrated its bicentenary in 2008.

The Abbey is set in 37 acres of beautifully peaceful parkland in the centre of the ancient market town of Glastonbury. It is traditionally the first Christian sanctuary in Great Britain, visited, so legend has it, by Joseph of Arimathea and Saints David & Patrick.

Ancient church with world famous stained glass

The spire of St Mary’s is one of the tallest in England and for over 500 years it has dominated the skyline of Shrewsbury's old town. In 1739, showman Robert Cadman attempted to slide from it, head first, using a rope and a grooved breastplate. His engraved obituary stands outside the west door. The church is now the only complete Medieval church in Shrewsbury.

Clonfert Cathedral is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in the Irish town of Clonfert in County Galway.

Visit our amazing museums in the midst of the stunning English Riviera, a UNESCO Global Geopark

Since its foundation in 1196, Torre Abbey has witnessed, survived and even played a role in some epic moments of history. It's one of the best buildings in the country for the story of Catholicism.

A centre of learning offering education in a number of different ways

We have an Education and Pilgrimage centre, Ty'r Pererin, which was officially opened on 4 March 2013. Click here for more information about the new centre.

St Anne's Cathedral has stood for over 100 years as a place of Christian worship in the heart of the City of Belfast. Probably the most important visual art in the Cathedral are the mosaics (seven years work by two sisters Gertrude and Margaret Martin), the carved stonework (sculpted by Rosamond Praeger, Morris Harding and Esmond Burton), the many fine stained glass windows, the carefully sourc

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