Cathedral clock tower reopens to visitors

People can enjoy stunning views after climbing the 255 steps

A cathedral clock tower, which was closed for maintenance work and then due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has reopened to the public.

Worcester Cathedral staff said it had been shut for most of the last four years and they were delighted visitors could again enjoy the city views from its lofty 200ft height.

The 200ft (61m) tall tower has 255 steps and it would mainly be opening on Saturdays, bank holidays and during the school holidays.

The Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Edwards, the cathedral's interim dean, described the tower as a symbol of Worcester.

"The fact that people can now go up it and stand on the roof and enjoy that amazing view for miles and miles in 360 degrees - it's a really important symbol," he said.

The cathedral has seen maintenance work as well as repairs following storm damage

The tower is the cathedral's third, with the first one collapsing in 1175 and the second one taken down after it was deemed unsafe.

The present tower was completed in 1374 and the exterior stone work was restored in the 19th Century.

The River Severn, racecourse and Malvern Hills are among the sites people can spot

People can pay a fee to climb the tower or take part in guided tours.

"On a clear day there are spectacular views over the city centre, River Severn, county cricket ground, Pitchcroft racecourse, Malvern Hills and countryside beyond," a spokesperson added.

About 180,000 people visited the cathedral last year, which was about 30,000 more than in 2022.