Worcester Cathedral has announced that it saw a record number of visitors pass through its doors in 2023.
The Cathedral confirmed a 20 per cent increase in the overall visitor numbers compared to the previous year, welcoming 180,000 people, over 30,000 more visitors than in 2022.
In the week leading up to Christmas Day, the visitor count reached 14,829, an increase from 13,000 in 2022.
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During the week, 44 choral and 67 traditional Christmas carols reverberated around the Cathedral.
Throughout the last month of the year, 62,373 people congregated at the Cathedral to marvel at the Christmas Tree Festival taking place in the medieval cloister.
This count is also an increase from 2022’s figure, which was 49,268.
A total of 135 community entities, including schools, charities, and businesses, participated in the festival this year, decorating trees that added glitter to the atmospheric cloister, and for the first time, the Chapter House.
The event ran from early December until Sunday, January 14.
The Cathedral boasted a full programme of services during this period.
On Christmas Eve, 3,484 people attended the services.
A successful Christmas Appeal launched in November garnered support from over 5,500 people and gathered donations totaling £15,716.
The Cathedral encourages people who haven’t yet had the chance to donate by the end of January by reaching out to Cathy on 01905 732912, emailing cathysloan@worcestercathedral.org.uk, or through the Cathedral’s website.
More than 500 individuals shared their Christmas blessings on a tag to hang on the community Christmas tree, which St Peter’s Garden Centre donates each year.
Interim Dean of Worcester, Canon Stephen Edwards said: "We were absolutely delighted to welcome so many visitors to the Cathedral throughout the Advent and Christmas period.
"It was an absolutely joyous year with more visitors, trees, carols and services than ever.
"Thank you to the whole community who came to celebrate Christmas 2023 here in this historic and sacred space."
Canon Edwards added: "We can’t thank our supporters enough for donating to our Christmas Appeal.
"We have raised a fantastic amount and really do appreciate every single donation; we really couldn’t do it without you."
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