Howden Minster, Howden (Yorkshire )

The elaborately decorated ruins of a 14th century chancel and chapter house.

Summary 14th century buildings Public car parking for a charge (nearby)

Introduction

 The elaborately decorated ruins of a 14th-century chancel and chapter house (viewable only from the outside), attached to the still operational cathedral-like minster church

History to the present day

 Howden Minster was owned by monks from Peterborough Abbey in Saxon times, but in 1080 it was gifted to William of Calais (Bishop of Durham). Although dependent on Durham, the minster was in the Diocese of York. Rebuilding the Norman church in the Early English style seems to have been begun in 1228. It became a Collegiate Church in 1267. Rebuilding work was completed in the Decorated style around 1340. A small octagonal Chapter House was built after 1388, the last of its kind to be built in England. The church survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries as it was not a monastery, but fell victim to the Dissolution of Collegiate Churches and Chantries in 1548.

Although the minster was not destroyed in the Dissolution, the choir or chancel was allowed to fall into ruin, and only the nave was used for services. The roof eventually collapsed in 1696, and the chapter house roof collapsed in 1750. The chapter house received a new roof in 1984.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Howden Minster, Yorkshire , , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

All year

Any reasonable time

Mon - Sun

 

Admission prices:

 

Adult:Free

Children:Free

Concession:Free

 

 

Photographs courtesy of English Heritage Photographic Library.