FOA Loz

[Aggers]

I think that all churches should have free admission -

or perhaps a widow's mite.

[miasmum]

Jo that's theme park admission prices. Is that what they see themselves as

[JoM]

It makes you wonder, doesn't it I suppose you have to take into account that anything touristy is overpriced in London though.

Just looked and York Minster is £10 for an adult ticket, Westminster Abbey is £18. Birmingham Cathedral (the one on the square by the Old Joint Stock) is free, as is Lichfield Cathedral which just asks for donations, it's a stunning building and also has a collection of the Staffordshire Hoard which is also free to see.
Nice to know that they don't all charge.

[Kaz]

I'm not even a practising Christian, but the idea of paid entry into a church really shocks me

[Lozzles]

Sorry Ria, I didn't see this yesterday. Glad you liked Winchester and glad the food was yummy I'll have to try it out

I think most Cathedrals charge now. I don't like to have to pay to go and pray, but I don't mind paying for the upkeep of a building...as long as that is where the money is going to. I also don't like the assumption by the people that 'run' the churches that everyone is a tourist. Some of us are Christians and do want to use it as a place of worship. The thing is how do you tell the difference?

[Kaz]

Yes, I mean what happens if someone feels in need of spiritual sustenance, feels the need to pray or just 'be' inside the church, but hasn't that kind of money available

[Lozzles]

I know

[meriad]

I think they have an area you can access without being charged, where you can go if you want to worship. Not sure how peaceful and quiet it would be though with hoards of people around

[miasmum]

I am sure there are always smaller churches available though. It is only the big cathedrals that charge

If you are ever in London, I can recommend this

http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/index.php

Westminster Cathedral (not to be confused with Westminster Abbey) It is an amazing building.

You have to pay to go up the tower but I think it was about £5 and I didn't mind that as it is a tourist attraction, but the mosaics in the cathedral are so beautiful.

Not sure if you have to pay to go in, I am sure we gave a donation

[Kaz]

Well that is something I suppose

I just find huge churches very uplifting, as I said I'm not a practising Christian but do have certain spiritual beliefs and sometimes you can get a huge boost from being inside a cathedral - the one here in Gloucester doesn't have a formal admission charge but asks for a voluntary donation of £5.....That's not quite as bad as at least if you can't afford that you can still enter.