Last time I visited Beverley Minster I hadn’t got a camera with me. It was a glorious early spring day with bright blue skies and sunshine; much too nice to be indoors. We decided to revisit the Minster taking the camera with us.
The Minster is a beautiful building, jaw droppingly beautiful. I never cease to be amazed each time I visit. I always find something missed on previous visits. Today it was some of the green men capitals which Beverley is famous for. I also had a closer look at the carved figures of musicians on the 19thC organ screen designed by Sir Gilbert Scott. Unfortunately they were too dark to photograph successfully. The light was catching the canopies of the choir stalls throwing their carving into full relief.
I made a point of looking for the massive stone Saxon stone sanctuary chair, or Frith stool to the left of the altar. In spite of its size, being a pale grey stone, it is easy to miss against the glories of the reredos.
I also noticed for the first time the beautiful painted roof above the altar, with figures in roundels surrounded by swirl of pink foliage. I’d never stood behind the reredos and looked up before. I’ve not been able to find out much information about this except that the paintings are 19thC by Sir Gilbert Scott, in the style of the 13thC.
We also visited St Katherine’s Chapel at the end of the east end on the south side which is set aside for private prayer, with its three lancet stained glass windows. Sunlight was flooding through these, staining the floor in a multitude of colour.
After the bustle of the Christmas Festival of Food and Drink last visit, it was nice to have the Minster to ourselves. There are daily tours of the floor and roof which we still haven’t done. One day perhaps…
It was a good visit and we enjoyed ourselves. If coming by car, the Minster car park is to the north of the Minster and is free. Entry to the Minster is free, although donations are sought. A photoraphic permit costs £3 and you are given a sticker to wear.
There are lots more pictures of Beverley Minster “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/churches/england/yorkshire/east_riding/east_one/beverley_minster/index.html
