The Minster is closed for public worship.
Please join us for worship online.
View the services calendar →
- Carved in Stone? The Green Man in Gothic Sculpture 9th Mar 2021 2:00pm,
- Hopeful Words/Hurting World – Bible Seminar – Micah 21st Mar 2021 7:30pm,
- Hopeful Words/Hurting World – Bible Seminar – Nahum 9th May 2021 7:30pm,
- The Leaves of the Trees 10th May 2021, The Quire
- Southwell Choral Society: Rutter ‘Feel the Spirit’ and Todd ‘Mass in Blue’ – CANCELLED 15th May 2021 7:30pm, The Nave
View All Events →

Looking for new lay members of Chapter
March 1, 2021
Musical world premieres in Southwell!
February 26, 2021
Ready, Steady Race against Hunger 5k! with Southwell Minster
February 25, 2021Welcome to Southwell Minster
In response to the current pandemic, the Cathedral is closed for public worship and private prayer. Our worship continues online – please join us for one of our services. For more information please see here.
We are committed to being there for our community. If you would value prayer, for yourself or someone else, we would be delighted to pray for you. Please click here for more information.
The Cathedral shop is also closed, but our online shop remains open.
Booking for Christmas Services
The random draw for places at our most popular services (the Cathedral Carol Services on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December, the Eucharist of Christmas Night, and the Cathedral Eucharist on Christmas Day at 10.00am) has now closed and all participants have been contacted. If you entered the draw and have not received the results, please contact office@southwellminster.org.uk
Booking will still be essential for most of our Christmas services as numbers are limited by Covid-19 restrictions. View the full services calendar.
Christmas Services Online
Follow the links below to join us online. After broadcast, these services will be available throughout Advent and Christmas. These services are also available on the Southwell Minster Youtube channel.
- Advent Carol Service online: 5.30pm Saturday 5 December: available until midnight Christmas Eve
- Cathedral Carol Service online: 7.00pm Monday 21 December: available until 11pm on Wednesday 6 January
- Christmas Day Cathedral Eucharist online: 10.00am 25 December
- Epiphany Cathedral Eucharist online: 7.00pm 6 January
We would also be delighted to receive any prayer requests to be included in our daily Morning Prayer. Please send to dean@southwellminster.org.uk.
Please send all general enquiries (including about weddings, baptisms and funerals) to office@southwellminster.org.uk.
Welcome to Southwell Minster
This message from the Dean was recorded before the current pandemic.
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.
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