Chichester Cathedral will be hosting two family workshops this summer, designed to bring history to life through art and creativity. 

On Saturday 27th July, the Monumental Monarchs workshop will explore the Cathedral's renowned Tudor panel paintings by Lambert Barnard, featuring none other than the turbulent Tudor king, Henry VIII. The interactive session offers an array of arts and crafts, including adding embellishments to Henry’s robes and trying out portraiture skills by drawing the missing Kings and Queens from the panels, which were damaged during the English Civil War and when the Cathedral spire fell in 1861! Participants are invited to come dressed in their royal finery, and there will also be some costumes available to try on.

On Saturday 10th August, families are invited  to become a history detective for the day at the Missing Treasures and The Civil War workshop. Throughout the session, families can explore the damage inflicted upon the Cathedral during the Siege of Chichester amidst the English Civil War, with activities including brass rubbing and reimagining the lost treasures.

Both workshops have two sessions at 10.00am and 11.00am. Booking is advised, and a small fee is requested for the 10th August workshop to cover the cost of materials.

Outdoor theatre at the Cathedral:

Chichester Cathedral will be holding two magical family-friendly outdoor theatre evenings in their beautiful Paradise garden. On Wednesday 31st July, enjoy a side-splitting, slapstick performance of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor by the Pantaloons, and on Sunday 4th August, Illyria Theatre will bring the magical Adventures of Dr Dolittle to the stage.