The cathedral at the heart of the city is inviting families to see its ancient building through a new lens this summer. From now until 4 September, Chichester Cathedral is running Summer of Colour — a free, self-led trail that uses the cathedral’s celebrated John Piper tapestry as its starting point and leads visitors through a series of bright, colour-themed locations.
A colourful route through history and craft
The trail begins beneath the tapestry that has hung behind the High Altar for six decades and which has provided the inspiration for the programme. Rather than a set route, families are encouraged to wander at their own pace, following the colours through the building and discovering details that can be easy to miss on a first visit.
Guiding the activities is the cathedral’s illustrated mascot, “Wilfrid the Seal” — a hand-drawn character named after Saint Wilfrid, who founded the original cathedral in Selsey more than 950 years ago. The character appears throughout the trail to help young visitors navigate the stops and creative tasks.
Hands-on activities for all ages
Children taking part can expect a mixture of tactile and creative experiences. These include:
- Adding to a large communal weaving artwork, letting visitors leave a colourful mark for others to see.
- Exploring colour and pattern through stained glass-inspired crafts.
- Using a specially commissioned hand-drawn colouring sheet created for the trail.
The emphasis is on informal discovery rather than formal instruction: seating and quiet spots around the cathedral mean families can rest and take time over the activities, and there is no fixed timetable to follow.
| What | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| Summer of Colour trail and family activities | Chichester Cathedral | Runs until 4 September |
“Wilfrid the Seal” guides young adventurers through the trail, linking the city’s long history with playful, hands-on creativity.
For parents and carers, the trail is a straightforward way to enjoy the cathedral with children: it combines visual stimulation, craft activities and gentle exploration of an historic building without the pressure of a formal workshop or ticketed event. It also offers a fresh reason to revisit the cathedral for residents who may already have walked its aisles many times.
Those interested in the cathedral’s wider calendar should note that Summer of Colour is one of several community-focused initiatives the cathedral offers during the year. The trail underlines how local heritage can be made accessible and engaging for families while celebrating an artwork that has been a feature of the cathedral for 60 years.
Practical details such as opening hours and any peak-time arrangements are available from the cathedral’s visitor information; the trail itself is free of charge and designed for self-guided family exploration.
