Tower Tours

St Albans Cathedral is running Tower Tours on Saturday 7 November, one of a few dates they've got lined up for the autumn. It's a climb of 211 winding steps through the cathedral's Norman crossing tower, which they describe as the only great crossing tower from the 1000s still standing in the country, built from Roman bricks. The whole ascent takes about an hour.

Partway up you hit the Lantern, where you can see the tower's painted ceiling and medieval coats of arms. From there you walk along a Victorian gantry suspended above the medieval Presbytery and Shrine Chapel ceiling, so you get a look down into the cathedral from a spot most people never see. Higher still are the Bell Ringing Chamber and the Belfry, where you'll find the cathedral's thirteen new bells alongside eight old ones. At the top, the roof looks out over St Albans and, if the weather's on your side, all the way to the City of London.

There are a few things to keep in mind before you book. The staircase is steep, narrow, and medieval, so it's not suitable for anyone with significant mobility difficulties, vertigo, or claustrophobia. Children have to be at least 11, and under-18s need to be accompanied by an adult. Dogs aren't allowed. If you're not sure about the climb, it's worth weighing that up before you commit.

Tickets are £15 for adults and £12 for children and young people aged 11 to 18. The tour is at St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY.