A busy summer lies ahead at Chester Cathedral.

Spirit of Summer launches later this month, with six weeks of world-class art, hands-on activities, outdoor adventure, film, food, and culture.

Running from Saturday, July 25, to Monday, August 31, the programme offers an action-packed summer from just £5 per adult with kids going free as part of the Great British Summer Savings.

Canon Missioner from Chester Cathedral, the Revd Canon Dr Anthony Lees-Smith said: "Spirit of Summer is about opening this cathedral up in ways people might not expect, inviting families, residents, visitors, culture-seekers and curious minds to walk through our doors and find something that surprises them.

"The programme is joyful, it is ambitious, and it belongs to everyone in this city."

Spirit of Summer programme highlights

• The Giant Marble Run — local artist Russell Kirk has created a bespoke 12-foot run set against a Chester backdrop, inviting visitors of all ages to send giant marbles weaving and spiralling through the city they know. Installed in the Cathedral Nave, it's as spectacular to watch as it is to play
• The Roll Into Summer Trail — because why watch a marble when you can be one? Visitors become the marble and the Cathedral becomes the run, following a trail that winds through the building's most extraordinary spaces. And for those who want to keep rolling, the trail doesn't stop at the Cathedral door — it continues out into the streets of Chester itself
• Postcards from Rhyl — a photography exhibition by Stephen Clarke celebrating the North West's seaside past, capturing the nostalgia at the heart of the summer's themes
• North West Film Archive screenings — seaside cinema in the Chapter House, presented in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University
• Cheshire Scouts climbing wall — outdoor adventure in the Cathedral grounds • Giant Deckchair and Games — the summer's most Instagrammable moment, inviting visitors to relax and play in one of the city's most extraordinary settings
• Workshops, a speaker series and twilight experiences — including marble run making, sacred spaces talks and wellbeing sessions in the Cathedral
• Spirits of Summer cocktail trail — a city-wide trail across Chester's best bars and restaurants A summer for the whole city Spirit of Summer doesn't stop at the Cathedral door. A city-wide trail takes visitors to ten Chester locations, while the Spirits of Summer cocktail trail invites you to discover the city's best bars and restaurants.

Thankfully, you don't have to wait until the end of the month for the excitement to begin.

On Saturday, July 11, internationally acclaimed artist Wolfgang Weileder unveils Kiosk, a striking new installation inside Chester Cathedral.

An architectural sculpture constructed from reclaimed wooden church pews that draws on the visual language of Islamic architecture, Kiosk is a contemplative space and a focus to explore wider issues of social inclusion, diversity and common ground in our society.

advertisement

Canon Anthony added: "This summer we're asking people to see Chester Cathedral differently.

"Come for a marble run, stay for a trip to the seaside through film.

"Come for a coffee and find yourself in the middle of a world-class art installation.

"There's something here for everyone!"