Tower on the Hour
- UNDER 16 WITH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN
Climb the 235 steps of our medieval tower for views across Worcestershire. Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays & School Holidays.
Select date and time
Location
Worcester Cathedral
8 College Yard Worcester WR1 2LA United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
The Tower will be open for climbing mainly on Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and school holidays.
'Tower on the hour' starts on the hour each hour, usually at 11am 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (times will vary so please double check for your date before coming).
'Tower on the hour' costs £10 per adult and £5 for U18s.
A family ticket (max 2 adults + 4 children) is £25. Unfortunately these are only available from the Welcome Desk at the Cathedral (due to the limitations of Eventbrite)
On Sundays it's 'Tower on the HALF hour"! 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30, but other than that it is the same as the other days.
PLEASE NOTE: TICKET SALES END ON THE MORNING OF THE CLIMB - THERE ARE USUALLY STILL SOME TICKETS AVAILABLE IF YOU TURN UP.
In purchasing the ticket you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of climbing.
https://www.worcestercathedral.org.uk/media/dtupgwe3/terms-and-conditions.pdf
Under 16s must be supervised by an adult (1 adult per 2 children). Unfortunately children under 8 are not able to climb the Tower for insurance reasons.
The Tower climb is hard work and involves climbing 235 steps up a steep, narrow, winding staircase. The staircase narrows significantly at the top and should only be tackled if you are feeling fit, healthy and well and wearing suitable footwear (no heels or loose fitting shoes). You cannot bring bags up the tower.
Although climbers are supervised by Cathedral staff you are welcome to climb at your own pace.
Information about the Tower will be available, but this is not a guided tour of the Tower.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely - the views from the top are fantastic, even when the weather isn't great, and when it's a clear day with good visibility you can see for miles. At the top you will be stood in the same spot that Charles II watched the Battle of Worcester from in 1651.
You will have views of the Malvern Hills, and if weather is good the Lickey and Clent Hills to the North and the Cotswolds to the south. The famous Worcester cricket ground and the River Severn are close by. You will be provided with a visual map to help you identify what you are looking at.
235.
As you climb the steps get narrower and steeper and the top section of the Tower is barely wider than an average adult. If you are claustrophobic it is probably not for you.
Depends what you mean! The tower is 235 steps high, and is a strenuous climb, however most people who can walk unaided a good distance should be able to manage it. You should only attempt to climb it if you are feeling fit, healthy and well.
Just under half way there is a pause in the teaching centre. There are chairs here and we usually pause for a few minutes here before continuing up.
We encourage all to take it at their own pace and there is a pause part way up. But if you decide you can't make it there is always the option to stop and wait or head back down. One of our stewards will make sure you are safely down.
For insurance reasons the youngest we can allow up the tower is 8 years old. There is no upper age limit, but you must be fit enough to be able to manage it.
As mentioned above suitable footwear is a requirement. No heels or loose fitting shoes are allowed. Open shoes are ok, such as sandals, as long as they are strapped and not flippy! If you're not sure probably best to plan to wear something else!
Yes, assuming tickets don't sell out, you can purchase tickets on the day from the Welcome Desk right up to the moment the Tower Climb starts.
Most days the Cathedral is open for visiting from 10am until 5pm. Sundays it is open from 12:30pm to 3pm. There are services after these times which you are welcome to stay for. Please do check our website for times on specific days as these do vary occasionally if other events are happening.
There are many carparks located within a few minutes' walk of Worcester Cathedral. The closest carparks are NCP Cathedral Square, King Street Carpark, and Copenhagen Street Carpark. Please check the City Council website here for more information:https://www.worcester.gov.uk/parking/parking-sites
No! You cannot, and must not try, to see the nest from the Tower. During nesting season (late March until June) it is a criminal offence to disturb the Peregrines leading to them abandoning the nest. You may be asked to stay in certain sections on the roof at key times in the season.
To see the Peregrines either try the livestream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtiyFReRxr8) or pop up viewing sessions on College Green. See our website for dates and times.
Unfortunately the nature of the ancient medieval Tower means that it is not fully accessible and only possible for those with good mobility.
You can take a guided tour (11am or 2:30pm Monday - Saturday), visit our Café or Shop, attend a service (see service times on our website), or just spend some time wondering and enjoying our fantastic building with over 1000 years of history.