October & November 2024 – Before planning your visit, please check our ‘Visitor Notices’ for accessibility updates and one-off changes to opening times. Click here to view.

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NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
A BEACON OF LIGHT

  • OPENING TIMES

  • Saturdays and Sundays
    8am-5pm
  • Mondays to Fridays
    8am-6pm
  • Café 16
    Mon-Sat 10am-4pm
  • FREE ENTRY

Opening times

  • Saturdays and Sundays
    8am-5pm
  • Mondays to Fridays
    8am-6pm
  • Café 16
    Mon-Sat 10am-4pm
  • FREE ENTRY

Our organ

The Cathedral organ accompanies daily choral services and large-scale special services. It takes centre stage in our weekly Monday lunchtime Organ Recital Series – one of the country’s few examples of a series that continues throughout the entire year.

Every Monday at 1:05pm, the Cathedral hosts organ recitals that are open to all. No pre-booking is required; simply find a seat in the Nave and enjoy. While attendance is free, we encourage those who attend to consider contributing in-person or online to our retiring collection.

For more information about organ recitals across the country and further afield, visit organrecitals.uk.

Organ recitals

September 2024

Monday 2 September, 1:05pmKris Thomsett, Newcastle Cathedral
Monday 9 September, 1:05pmDavid Shingler, Carlisle Cathedral
Monday 16 September, 1:05pmStefan Piotrowicz, Leeds
Monday 23 September, 1:05pmJoseph Beech, Durham Cathedral
Monday 30 September, 1:05pmIan Roberts, Newcastle Cathedral

Not Just a Pipe Dream – Cathedral Organ Appeal

The Cathedral Organ plays a fundamental role in the daily rhythm of this sacred space. We need your support to secure its future.

Find out more

October 2024

Monday 7 October, 1:05pmKris Thomsett, Newcastle Cathedral
Monday 14 October, 1:05pmTim Hone, Newcastle
Monday 21 October, 1:05pmWilliam Dore, York
Monday 28 October, 1:05pmJames Watson, Newcastle Cathedral

This page is updated by the first recital of the month; please check back soon for October’s music programme and November’s guest organists.

The History of the Organ

The organ at Newcastle Cathedral is exciting and colourful. Its magnificent case in the North Transept catches the eye of all who visit and serves as a striking reminder of how essential music is to the daily rhythm of this sacred space.

Today, the instrument essentially comprises two distinct entities: the Main Organ (Great, Swell, Chaire, Bombarde, and Pedal) in the North Transept and the Quire Organ (Great, Swell, and Pedal). The primary console is located in the north Quire arcade.

The central case of the organ dates back to the Renatus Harris organ of 1676, played by renowned composer Charles Avison during his 34 years as Newcastle’s organist. The attainment of cathedral status in 1882 was celebrated by the installation of what was an effectively new organ, completed by Lewis & Co in 1891. Major renovation projects in 1911 (Harrison & Harrison), 1954 (Harrison & Harrison), and 1981 (Nicholson & Co) represent the changing tastes and practical needs of choirs and congregations, as well as the level of work needed to maintain such an instrument.

Today’s organ has over 5,600 pipes and 94 speaking stops, making it one of the largest in the North of England.

Above: The Choir Organ and a painting of Charles Avison, renowned composer and Cathedral organist.