It's Official, Durham Cathedral is Britain's Favourite Building

20th October 2011

Categories: Visitor News

Over the last few weeks the Guardian newspaper has been running a poll to find Britain’s favourite building. Durham Cathedral was elected by readers to the final four and then stomped to victory after three days of voting taking 62.3% of the vote.  

The Guardian got a wonderful response and a vast range of suggestions from the very old Stonehenge to the not even finished Shard. But there was one building that was nominated time and time again. Readers’ comments included as 'the most beautiful building in the UK'; ‘quite wonderful in the daytime, but transformed into a breathtaking sight after dark" and that "the magnificence of its setting high on the peninsula, the grandeur of its architecture dating from 1093, World Heritage status and the endorsement by Dr Bill Bryson all commend this greatest of British buildings."

Announcing their readers' choice for Britain's best building is Durham Cathedral, The Guardian told its readers “You picked wisely: there are few finer buildings of any period in Europe.”

“With its commanding setting on a headland high above the River Wear, Durham Cathedral is unmissable, and magnificent. Its architecture is at once powerful and poetic, a monument to the Norman invaders who created it from 1093. But, although clearly designed to dominate the region, the muscular cathedral is most beautiful when you step through its west front and face the length of the incomparable nave. Such beauty and such tragedy, too; here, 1,700 of the 3,000 Scottish soldiers imprisoned by Cromwell within these unbreachable walls died from wounds, disease and starvation; and here, meddling Georgian architects came to mess about with the venerable fabric. And yet, Durham Cathedral has survived and, today, is probably in better shape than it has been in hundreds of years”, says The Guardian.

Michael Sadgrove, Dean of Durham says, “I am delighted that Durham Cathedral has come out so decisively as Britain's favourite building. Durham people have always loved their cathedral for its architecture and history, its saints and spirituality. It's good once again to see this recognised by people across the nation. We can be proud not only for the city and county but for the region as well.”

Jonathan Glancey is the Guardian's architecture and  design correspondent now hopes to visit Durham Cathedral and film a video tour of the building.

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