Last Saturday, I arrived early in Gloucester, greeted by the stillness of a city not yet awake. The quiet streets, with their winding lanes and forgotten passageways, led me to some incredible pieces of architectural history. The buildings surrounding the cathedral stood in peaceful grandeur, untouched by the usual bustle of shoppers and tourists. It was a rare gift to explore this historic city in solitude.
Gloucester Cathedral
Originally known as St. Peter’s Abbey, now the Gloucester cathedral, was constructed over the course of about 400 years, from 1089 to the 1480’s. As building techniques and architectural fashions evolved during that time, so too did the abbey’s design. The result is a blend of styles, each corner telling its own story.
My reason for visiting Gloucester that morning was to attend a community-organized yoga class held within the cathedral grounds. About 25 of us gathered outside its grand gates, preparing for a unique experience.
As we walked through the dimly lit cathedral, the staff were still turning on the lights, as it wasn’t officially open to the public yet for the day. There was a profound moment of stillness, when with a flick of a switch, the nave was illuminated, revealing the immense beauty of the space.
My fellow yogis and I stood quietly absorbing the awe of the moment in the vast nave. It had been built by the Normans in the early 1100s. Their architecture, inspired by ancient Rome, was imposing and larger than anything England had seen at that time.
From the nave, we were guided into the cloisters—covered walkways that were once part of the monastery. These halls had been transformed under the reign of Henry VIII, who expelled the monks and brought in royal masons to embellish the cloisters with perpendicular Gothic designs. The purpose of this style was to draw the eye upward, toward heaven, and it certainly succeeded. I lingered for a moment, breathing in the serenity of these magnificent corridors.
Some of you might recognize these cloisters from scenes in the Harry Potter films, and it’s easy to see why they were chosen—there’s something magical about them.
Nestled within the cloisters is a secret garden, which is where our yoga class was held.
Lucy, our instructor, led us through a peaceful flow, as the cathedral’s organist practiced in the background. The ethereal music added a dreamy quality to the class, making the experience feel surreal.
As I moved through the poses, I learned that monks once lived full-time within the cathedral, sleeping in the cloisters and walking through the very gardens where we practiced. Imagining their quiet lives filled me with wonder and curiosity.
After the yoga session, I spent more time exploring the cathedral. Its vastness felt endless, with room after room, each more fascinating than the last. Some of the side chapels were grand, while others were so small they could barely fit more than a few people—yet they were all adorned with stunning stained glass.
I also had the chance to access the cathedral’s second story, which provided a breathtaking view of the altars below and revealed even more hidden chapels. The whole experience felt more like exploring a castle than a cathedral.
