St Chad’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, a place of prayer, beauty and history

For Birmingham Heritage Week 2026, we open our large oak doors to present not only an invitation to visit our Gothic Revivalist Cathedral, designed Augustus Welby Pugin, who was also responsible for the Palaces of Westminster and the iconic clock tower of Big Ben. The Cathedral is home to the relics of St Chad, which were originally interred in a shrine at Lichfield Cathedral in the year 672 AD. The Cathedral celebrated its centenary in 1941 and was designated a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XII. 

A mall selection of vestments will be on display in the Edward Chapel.

On Thursday 17 Sept, a larger selection of historic vestments will be on display in the Edward Chapel and Lady Chapel, with behind the ropes access to view in detail the intricate details of some of our historic vestments. Tickets to see the vestment and attend a talk on the subject here (link to event on 17 St Chad’s Cathedral vestments. 

The Cathedral is step free and flat for general access. There is a single step up, into the Lady Chapel and the Edward Chapel. No specific footwear is required to visit St Chad’s. We welcome all service animals. 

How to get there:
Directions

Photo Credit: Rav Rayet / Birmingham Heritage Week

Organised by St Chad’s Cathedral