Families can discover a kaleidoscope of colour at Chichester Cathedral this summer with a free trail and programme of creative activities throughout the school holidays.
Running from 10 July - 4 September, Summer of Colour invites children and their grown-ups to look beyond the Cathedral's ancient stone walls and uncover colour and creativity, inspired by the iconic John Piper tapestry behind the High Altar, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026.
Follow the colours
Taking inspiration from the bright, bold colours of the magnificent tapestry, the free self-led trail begins beneath Piper's celebrated artwork before leading colour-seekers on a journey through six colour-themed locations across the Cathedral.
With no set route to follow, families can explore at their own pace, following the colours through the Cathedral and uncovering new details along the way. Guiding young adventurers throughout the journey is the Cathedral's much-loved Wilfrid the Seal – a hand-illustrated seal, named after Saint Wilfrid, founder of the original Cathedral in Selsey more than 950 years ago.
Creativity around every corner
Along the Summer of Colour trail, children can enjoy a range of hands-on creative activities, from adding their own colourful contribution to a large communal weaving artwork to exploring colour and pattern through stained glass-inspired crafts. They can also unleash their imagination with a specially commissioned hand-drawn colouring sheet, created just for the trail.
A day out to enjoy together
Families can easily spend a whole morning or afternoon at the Cathedral, following the trail, getting creative together and discovering the ancient building in a fun and colourful new way. Afterwards, why not relax in the beautiful walled garden at the Cloisters Kitchen & Garden Café and enjoy a drink, lunch or a well-earned treat?
Families are encouraged to return throughout the summer to revisit their favourite activities and see how the collaborative weaving artwork grows and changes over time.
Rosie Bradberry, Creative Learning Manager at Chichester Cathedral, said: “Our Summer of Colour trail invites families to take a closer look at John Piper's iconic tapestry as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of this remarkable artwork. The trail encourages visitors to explore six colours featured in the tapestry, discover where those colours can be found across the Cathedral, and learn more about how Piper used colour to create meaning, atmosphere and visual impact in his work. As visitors follow the trail, they'll uncover colourful details they may never have noticed before, while discovering more about the Cathedral's art, architecture and history. Whether you're visiting with family, friends or on your own, we hope Summer of Colour inspires curiosity, creativity and a fresh appreciation of this extraordinary building."
- Summer of Colour runs from 10 July - 4 September 2026.
- The Cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am - 5.00pm and Sunday from 12.30pm - 2.30pm.
- Entry is free and donations are welcome.
Glowing + Alive and the accompanying programme has been generously supported by Henry Adams Estate Agents.
