Services Today
- 8.30 Morning Prayer St Oswald's Chapel
- 12.15 Holy Communion St Oswald's Chapel
- 5.30 Evensong The Quire
View Services and Music list →
- Wednesday Minster Tours 17th Aug 2022 10:00am, Southwell Minster
- Plastic Fantastic – Flowers upcycling workshop 17th Aug 2022 10:30am, Hoskyns Room (next to The Palace Gardens)
- Wedding 19th Aug 2022 2:30pm, The Quire
- Wedding 20th Aug 2022 2:30pm, The Quire

Celebration of Creation
August 3, 2022
Volunteers’ Fair
June 9, 2022
Worship Consultation
June 7, 2022Welcome to Southwell Minster
For more than 900 years Southwell Minster has been opening its doors to welcome visitors, pilgrims and worshippers. We have placed hospitality in the name of Jesus Christ as being at the heart of what we want to offer the 100,000, or so, people, who come in a typical year. As well as being a beautiful and fascinating historic building, Southwell Minster is a community of clergy, other workers and many worshippers, contributing to the public life and private lives of the town and the whole diocese.
We are delighted that the Chapter House has reopened, after the installation of a new cantilever lift which provides full access to this glorious part of the Minster.
Worship Online
The Minster’s worshipping community extends beyond the doors of the building, across the diocese and beyond. Our Sunday worship continues online – please join us for one of our live-streamed services if you cannot make it in person.
Upcoming closures
During the Southwell Music Festival in late August, access to the following parts of the Minster and grounds at the allotted times will be for ticket holders only. All other areas of the cathedral will remain open to visitors. Thank you for your understanding.
Sunday 21 – 28 August: The State Chamber is closed all week
Wednesday 24 August: 12 - 1pm, Nave
Wednesday 24 August: 12 - 2pm, Quire & Chapter House
Wednesday 24 August: 3 - 4.30pm, The Chapter House
Thursday 25 August: 8.30 - 10am, The Chapter House
Thursday 25 August: 12 - 2pm, Nave
Friday 26 August: 8.30 - 10am, The Chapter House
Friday 26 August: 12pm - 2pm, Nave
Saturday 27 August: 12 - 2pm, Nave
Sunday 28 August: 12.30 - 2.30pm The Palace Gardens
Monday 29 August – 1 - 2pm, Nave
For over 900 years Southwell Minster has opened its doors every day to welcome visitors, pilgrims and worshippers. Some are local, many from further afield and across the world.
As the Dean I am privileged to walk into this beautiful cathedral every day. Every time I’m struck by its peaceful and gentle atmosphere, and I often notice a detail in a window or on a carving for the first time. There’s so much here to see. The Minster, tucked away in the delightful Nottinghamshire market town of Southwell, has witnessing tumultuous events in history – battles and wars nearby, religious squabbles, times of uncertainty and upheaval; and yet today, as over all the centuries, women and men and children find inspiration, faith and comfort surrounded by these prayer soaked stones.
We’re excited by new opportunities to discover how the Minster’s past speaks in fresh ways today. Here in the Chapter House the exquisite naturalistic stone carvings of leaves and animals and foliage have fascinated and delighted visitors since they were carved in the late thirteenth century. They are among the finest in Europe. It is thought that the Chapter House was built over baptism pools, for we know deep beneath here are wells – known about from Roman times – so, the town of ‘South- well’ gets its name! The water of baptism marks the entry into the Christian faith. This was a place of new beginnings.
Perhaps we’re standing in a forest, with life and growth and beauty all around us? Are the medieval stonemasons showing us how human beings, and all creation, flourish best when we draw from the deep wells of God’s life and love and goodness? The two-year project will repair, conserve and help unlock the discover more. Come and see work in progress!
First-time visitors, especially children, walk into the nave, the main body of the church, and find that their eyes are drawn upwards. Towards the figure of ‘Christus Rex’, ‘Christ the King’ prominent over the nave arch, leaning forward with arms outstretched. It’s as if Christ himself is running to embrace and welcome all who come. It’s a wonderful image of warmth and homecoming, which even total strangers feel.
Whether your visit is virtual on the website, we look forward to welcoming you to Nottinghamshire’s cathedral.
The Very Reverend Nicola Sullivan
Dean of Southwell
Events and Activities
Buy Online at the Cathedral Shop
Enjoy exploring our collection of cathedral and religious gifts. All the profits made from your purchase help us to maintain Southwell Minster for future generations. Thank you for your support. Visit the Shop Front or dive in and choose a selection below.
OPENING TIMES
Monday to Saturday 8.30am – 6.30pm
Sunday 8am – 4.30pm
QUICK LINKS
SAFEGUARDING
Ensuring that children and young people as well as adults are kept safe whilst in our care is an integral part of our church life. If you have any concerns about safeguarding, please contact:
In the Minster
Vicky Thorpe, Safeguarding Co-ordinator: 01636 817285
In the Diocese
All safeguarding concerns should be directed to the Diocesan Safeguarding team on 01636 817200
during working hours. For non-urgent advice and queries, including DBS advice, please email the safeguarding team at safeguarding@southwell.anglican.org