The Association of English Cathedrals have introduced their new exciting Summer 2024 campaign – Cathedral Ceilings, Always Look Up.
They’ve survived significant religious upheaval, two world wars and the British weather…but the soaring arches, timeless stone, carvings, paintings and intricate detail in cathedral celings encourages everyone to “Lift up your eyes.”
#AlwaysLookUp invites visitors and worshippers to turn their eyes upwards, lift up their gaze and stay awhile to discover a treasure trove of centuries-old carvings and paintings and an explosion of colour on the ceilings of our cathedrals.
There they can find carved wooden angels playing golden instruments and hundreds of roof bosses depicting figures and images from Bible stories and Medieval history that have inspired generations of churchgoers to glimpse a little piece of heaven from their place on earth.
These are the very best feats of engineering, soaring, spectacular fan vaulting and chancel cloisters, so if you only do one thing this summer, lift up your eyes, always look up … and see what you might discover.
Chelmsford Cathedral's Nave ceiling and clerestory were the result of architect John Johnson’s restoration after the collapse of 1800. The ceiling was beautifully coloured and gilded in 1961. In the know guides at the Cathedral often encourage visitors to find the intentional flaw in the design made to symbolise that while God doesn’t make mistakes, people do. See if you can spot it on your next visit!