SERVICES at English cathedrals clocked up an extra five per cent attendance in 2023, although they have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, statistics published on Thursday suggest.

The total weekly attendance at regular services at cathedrals in England rose from an average of 28,300 in 2022 to 30,300 in 2023. Despite this increase, the average was still significantly below the 2019 figure of 36,800.

By contrast, visitor numbers have largely recovered. A total of 9.35 million visited in 2023, close to the 2017 total of 9.38 million. The 2023 figure amounts to an increase of 1.4 million from 2022, although the increase in those paying or making a donation amounted to just 45,000.

Statistics for Westminster Abbey were also collected, but not included in the overall figures, as it is a Royal Peculiar rather than a cathedral. Alone, it recorded 1.36 million visitors in 2023, 90,000 higher than in 2019.

In a foreword to the report, the Church of England’s senior statistician, Dr Ken Eames, has thanked vergers, chief operating officers, and the deans of English cathedrals for providing the data.

“Cathedrals matter. They are places of worship and welcome; of history and education; of joyous exuberance and quiet reflection,” Dr Eames writes.

All 42 English cathedrals and Westminster Abbey were asked about attendance on Sunday and for midweek services, Easter and Christmas, special services (both public and by invitation), baptisms, marriages and funerals.

Data on visitors, musical activities, and volunteering were also gathered.

Some cathedrals have already reported that attendance at Christmas services last year exceeded pre-pandemic levels (News, 26 January).

The latest statistics show that, overall, Christmas attendance in 2023 was slightly higher than it had been a decade before — 124,500 in 2023 compared to 124,300 in 2013 — but was still below the 2019 figure of 132,300.

Attendance at graduation events was higher in 2023 than it had been before the pandemic, with a total of 357,000 attending ceremonies, although this was a drop of almost 80,000 from 2022.

The number of volunteers at cathedrals grew in 2023, from 12,500 the previous year to 13,300. In 2019, the figure stood at 15,700.