Attendance at Church of England cathedrals rose for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, although overall numbers remained below pre-pandemic levels.
New figures published by the Church of England show an average weekly attendance of 32,600 people at cathedral services, including Evensong, Morning and Evening Prayer, and Sunday Eucharist. Adult Sunday attendance was 8 per cent higher than in 2024.
Christmas attendance increased by 6 per cent, while Easter attendance rose by 5 per cent, with Easter services returning to pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
The figures also show that 657,700 people attended 2,080 specially arranged services during the year, while a further 295,000 attended additional regular services, including those for schools.
The number of cathedral choirs reached a record high of 208, driven largely by the growth of mixed choirs over the past decade.
Cathedrals also welcomed 1.83 million people to public and civic events, including graduation ceremonies, and received 9.23 million visitors overall.
While attendance, participation and engagement increased across many measures compared with 2024, overall figures remained below those recorded in 2019.
The Dean of Wakefield, Dr Philip Hobday, said: “Cathedrals are a cool space in the heatwave, a warm space in the winter, and in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged communities, one of the few spaces which are free to enter and where all are welcome.
“We are thrilled to see a wider range of people of different ages and backgrounds coming into our building, whether to attend a special Christmas or Easter Service or to enjoy music concerts in all styles from Bach to Bowie, to support a local up-and-coming artist or a school event, or just for a few moments of peace in troubled times.
“Across our cathedrals, over 208 choral groups keep a distinctive rhythm of daily worship alive, and Christmas and Easter services have seen noticeable increases in attendance.
“With no guaranteed public sector funding, English cathedrals rely on the hard work of staff and volunteers, and the generosity of personal givers and funding bodies, to keep these beautiful spaces open to all as places of heritage, community-building, and Christian witness.”