From January 2022 the ‘Sumpter Yard Revived’ project will be underway to create a beautiful, accessible and welcoming garden approach to the Cathedral. It will form the first phase in our wider vision to care for and enhance the biodiversity of the Cathedral’s precious green space and is only possible thanks to the generous support of donors.

Sumpter Yard Revived will sensitively transform this approach in keeping with the ancient building and new welcome centre. Works will include improved pathways to complement new planted spaces developed with a unified planting scheme reflecting the history of this place. It will create a safe, attractive and accessible entrance to the Cathedral, whilst celebrating and protecting our green space and unique heritage.

The project will be completed in the late spring 2022. The team will work hard throughout to keep disruption to a minimum, although there may be some temporary changes to access at certain times, and parking will be reduced. We will prioritise disabled access as much as we can.

Follow us on social media for updates on how the project is progressing. 

FAQs

What will Sumpter Yard Revived look like?

Our vision is to enhance Sumpter Yard so that it becomes an approach through gardens which will encourage people to sit and enjoy the space as well as frame the beautiful building and highlight the historic use of this space as a productive garden. Pathways will be much improved for everyone.

Will access to the Cathedral be disrupted during the works?

We are committed to minimising disruption to those coming to the Cathedral or through our grounds throughout the works and this project will improve access for everyone for the long term. During the project works, there will necessarily be short periods when some disruption is unavoidable to keep everyone safe; we will endeavour to communicate as clearly as we can and with as much notice as possible where this will be the case.

What are you doing about other areas around the Cathedral?

This is the next phase in a commitment to enhance and care for the wider Cathedral ground. It builds on the new landscaping around the Welcome Centre entrance and cedar tree in 2019. The Cathedral has identified the care of its building and lands as a priority and a future vision for the whole site is currently being developed.