A total of 32,600 people attended weekly services – such as Evensong, Morning and Evening Prayer or Sunday Eucharist – at Church of England cathedrals in 2025. Sunday attendance was up notably among adults, at eight per cent higher than in 2024.

There was also a six per cent overall increase in Christmas attendance and five per cent rise in Easter attendance.

Additionally, 657,700 people attended 2,080 specially arranged services over the year and 295,000 at additional regular services such as services for schools.

The figures show the number of choirs in Cathedrals rose to a record high of 208, mainly due to a big rise over the last decade of mixed choirs.

Cathedrals also hosted 1.83 million people at public or civic events, such as graduation ceremonies, and welcomed 9.23 million visitors.

Although attendance, participation, and engagement was, by many measures, higher in 2025 than in 2024, it was lower than in 2019 overall. However, Easter attendance drew level with pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

The Dean of Wakefield, Dr Philip Hobday (pictured above), 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.”