Major Grant Supports Conservation of Gloucester Cathedral’s Cloisters
Gloucester Cathedral Receives Funding Boost for Conservation of its World-Famous Cloister
Gloucester Cathedral is pleased to announce the award of a generous £40,000 grant from The Headley Trust to support the conservation of its extraordinary 14th-century Cloister. This vital funding will enable the next phase of the Cathedral’s Cloister Project, which is dedicated to preserving this iconic piece of architecture for future generations.
Believed to date from the 1350s, the Cloister at Gloucester Cathedral is internationally celebrated as the finest surviving example of fan vaulting in the world. In addition to its architectural significance, it has become a familiar sight on screen, having featured in three of the Harry Potter films and, more recently, in the BBC’s Wolf Hall. Historically, the Cloister formed a key part of daily monastic life for the monks who once lived and worshipped at the Cathedral.
The grant from The Headley Trust will contribute to a range of critical conservation works. These will include careful cleaning of the masonry, the removal of unsuitable hard cement pointing, and the use of traditional lime-based materials more appropriate for a structure of such historic importance. The project will also involve repairs to damaged stonework, the replacement of decayed sections where needed, and the sensitive cleaning and restoration of the stained glass and leaded-light glazing.
This latest funding builds upon The Headley Trust’s longstanding support for Gloucester Cathedral, including previous investment in its stonemasonry apprenticeship programme.
The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to The Headley Trust for their continued support of the Cathedral’s heritage and the people who make it possible. Their support will not only help in preserving the fabric of the Cathedral but also invest in the skills and craftsmanship needed to do so.”
Eilidh McIntosh, Head of Fabric and Property at the Cathedral, added:
“The conservation of Gloucester Cathedral’s Cloister is essential in ensuring the Cathedral remains safe and beautiful for future generations. We are fortunate to have a team of highly skilled stonemasons and craftspeople, whose careers have been previously supported by The Headley Trust. They are dedicated to ensuring the work meets the highest standards of craftsmanship.”
The Cloister conservation project will continue to make progress over the coming months.
Explore Gloucestershire
1 April 2025
Photo Credit: Corette Firth
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