Wells Cathedral, a pivotal landmark in England's smallest city, is set to celebrate its 850th anniversary by hosting "Peter Marlow: The English Cathedral."

This photographic exhibition, which chronicles the naves of all 42 Anglican cathedrals in England, will be free to the public from 4 December 2023 to 14 January 2024.

The exhibition is organised by the Peter Marlow Foundation, established to continue the legacy of the late Magnum photographer, Peter Marlow.

It aims to display this ethereal collection of images at each of the 42 cathedrals he visited on his photographic pilgrimage. Set in the South Cloister of Wells Cathedral, the exhibition will be accessible during the usual visiting hours, from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Peter Marlow's journey, captured between 2010 and 2012, was marked by the use of natural light at dawn, enhancing the intricate details of these architectural marvels. His work is accompanied by his commentary, sketches, and preparatory shots, with contributions from V&A senior photography curator Martin Barnes and architectural historian John Goodall.

The Reverend Canon Dr Megan Daffern, Chancellor of Wells, said: ""Cathedral churches such as ours are increasingly regarded as places of pilgrimage, homes of holiness with stillness and a sense of the divine welcoming all."

"With spectacular art and architecture brought together on one heritage site to celebrate the God worshipped in these awe-inspiring surroundings, Cathedrals offer so much to a wide range of visitors who come for a diversity of reasons, whether they see themselves as pilgrims or tourists or something other.

"Peter's own story of how his journey developed in pictures invites both wonder at such creativity throughout the generations in each Cathedral and how the artist has chosen to represent them, and also curiosity about our own journeys and what special places might mean to each of us." "It is a great delight to welcome Peter's exhibition here to Wells Cathedral at a time of year when there is so much going on in our Church in the Advent and Christmas seasons and we look forward to welcoming many, many visitors."

The exhibition coincides with the Advent and Christmas seasons, adding to the festive atmosphere at the Cathedral. Visitors can also participate in a range of events and services marking these seasons.

Peter Marlow, renowned for his photography of Anglican cathedrals, embarked on this project after being commissioned by the Royal Mail in 2008. His approach, capturing the cathedrals in natural light without artificial illumination, offers a contemporary twist to England's long tradition of church photography.

An interactive element of the exhibition invites visitors to take their own photographic 'portraits' of the exhibition at Hereford Cathedral, creating a dynamic, evolving display. The Peter Marlow Foundation will also select a winner at each hosting cathedral, awarding an estate-stamped fine print of a chosen cathedral photograph.

The exhibition has previously been hosted at various cathedrals and will continue its tour in 2024, visiting Manchester, Rochester, Peterborough, Derby, and Chester Cathedrals.

For more information about the tour and the Peter Marlow Foundation, contact Sam Trenerry at [email protected] or +44 (0)7780 991 811.