Gloucester Cathedral awarded ‘Cultural Venue of the Year’

Gloucester Cathedral has been named “Cultural Venue of the Year” on the SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle and Community Awards 2026.

The award recognises the cathedral’s huge impact as a centre of culture. Concerts, festivals, exhibitions and family events are sometimes held on the cathedral and, moreover, the cathedral is currently holding a “Year of Music”.

For 4 years running now the cathedral has been recognised with a Gold or Highly Commended award.

As a part of the “Year of Music” Gloucester Cathedral is holding an Organ Festival to rejoice the inauguration of its recent organ.

The festival is about to happen from 13-15 June, with the highlight expected to be a Gala Concert on 13 June, featuring the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conducted by Gloucester Cathedral’s very own Director of Music, Adrian Partingdon.

Gloucester Cathedral boasts a history spanning over 1,300 years and can also be known for its impressive gothic architecture and for the tomb of Edward II, who died within the nearby Berkeley Castle in 1327.

The cathedral was also used a movie set, standing in for various Hogwarts corridors in a few of the Harry Potter movies.

The Very Rev Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester Cathedral, welcomed the popularity the cathedral had received, “To be recognised as Gloucestershire’s Best Cultural Venue is an excellent affirmation of the work of our whole Cathedral community and an encouragement to us to proceed offering the perfect in worship, music and heritage to all who come through our doors – whether to hope, to explore or just to wonder.”

Lisa Wiltshire, a cathedral Volunteer, said, “Culture has such a strong role in bringing people together, helping wellbeing and making a sense of belonging, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact we will have through shared experiences and creativity. It’s wonderful to see this recognised with a So Glos award this yr.”