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Cathedral Cats
This appealing little book forms a group portrait of some of the most privileged cats in Britain that make their home in and around the grandeur of Britain's cathedrals. There is hardly a door or window that is closed to them?they have the run of roofs and vaults, nooks and crannies, cloisters andchoirs. There are dozens of photographs of these ecclesiastical felines in these great churches and cathedrals, and each photo is accompanied by a pen portrait of the cat and its particular eccentricities. There is Biggles, for example, feline tyrant of Westminster Abbey, who was issued an official warning by the police after mauling a constable’s trousers! Find out about Tomkin, the patron cat of Chelmsford Cathedral, who was rescued from a derelict house in south London, or Olsen, the Siamese from Chester Cathedral whose nocturnal wanderings often end up at the local jazz club. This is a unique way to discover some of Britain's beautiful cathedrals, with plenty of feline interest along the way.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
96 people want to read
About the author
Richard Surman
14 books4 followersRichard Surman is a British writer and photographer, working from the UK and Spain. He specializes in all types of location photography and works with a wide range of multinational corporate, editorial, advertising and design clients. He has published a number of books and also collaborated on a wide range of travel, gardening and specialist guide books, as well as contributing to magazines in the UK, USA and Spain.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 1, 2010
Cathedral Cats is a delight for lovers of cats and the title tells you what to expect; photos of cats that live in cathedrals! Surman has made a good job of photographing the kitties who were variously unco-operative, attention seekers, models wearing fur and mischeivious as one might expect. The text consists of a mixture of anecdotes about the history and exploits of the cats and tales of their photo-shoots, along with some interesting comments on the architecture of the Cat-thedrals themselves (sorry, couldn't resist). For instance, which British cathedral has a cat-sized Gothic Arch? Find out in this wonderful book! There is a disproportionate number of Dinner Jacket Cats in the book and no Tuxies whatsoever, but then, we are talking about both Britain and cathedrals, so smartly dressed cats in formal attire with a dislike of American terms for clothing are to be expected.
This is the first of a series that includes Church Cats and Country House Cats (possibly others, too). I have the privilege of knowing one of the human servants mentioned in Country House Cats - but I've never met the cat!
This is the first of a series that includes Church Cats and Country House Cats (possibly others, too). I have the privilege of knowing one of the human servants mentioned in Country House Cats - but I've never met the cat!
November 23, 2019
This was an absolutely charming little book and anyone reading it that has ever owned a cat would find themselves nodding along to the witty observations made by Surman. He captures their haughty aloofness perfectly.
The reader is given a brief introduction to each cathedral, noting interesting historical and architectural points before moving onto mini biographies of the cats and the mischief they get up to. I was thrilled to find my home town cathedral, as well as neighbouring ones included between the pages.
The reader is given a brief introduction to each cathedral, noting interesting historical and architectural points before moving onto mini biographies of the cats and the mischief they get up to. I was thrilled to find my home town cathedral, as well as neighbouring ones included between the pages.
July 27, 2011
Cats and old buildings seem to go hand in hand in Great Britain. Cathedral Cats is another photographic journal that tracks the lives of cats living in historic (and in this case, religious) buildings in Great Britain. It's a short read, less than one hundred pages but the photographic portraits of the cats in their homes and scouting their territories are beautiful. I think I spent more time appreciating the photography than I did in reading the accompanying text.
Cats and architecture make a nice combination. The photographs are lovely and it's the perfect book to read in an afternoon.
I should add that it was a perfect book to read on a day when I hadn't had much sleep. Caligula, my cat, even took some time to admire some of the photographed felines.
Cats and architecture make a nice combination. The photographs are lovely and it's the perfect book to read in an afternoon.
I should add that it was a perfect book to read on a day when I hadn't had much sleep. Caligula, my cat, even took some time to admire some of the photographed felines.
July 2, 2017
Cathedral Cats
This was a lovely and very welcome gift from a friend.
However, I must confess that my only brush with a cathedral cat was when I found two little bowls sitting in a cloister. I can’t now remember whether it was Gloucester or Canterbury Cathedral but I hovered hopefully for some time in case their owner returned. Alas they didn’t. But, no doubt, they were curled up in a vestry somewhere else in the building or enjoying a photo call with visitors.
This book was published in 2006 so some of the featured cats such as Salisbury Cathedral’s Wolfie may have gone to the great fireside in the sky but I’m sure that there are always new cathedral cats to replace them. Wolfie lives on in a fridge magnet which is sitting on my fridge.
The book begins with an introduction explaining the author’s fascination with cats and cathedrals. As he says, cats are no longer invited into these hallowed places due to ‘their skills as keeping down vermin’ but also because cathedral staff have changed – both clergy and lay.
Nineteen Cathedrals and their handsome felines are featured with sumptuous colour photos of them posing on ecclesiastical property. For example, on page 34, the magnificently named Godiva and Leofric are perched aloft watching over College Green at Durham Cathedral. They look like furry gargoyles. There’s another photo of Godiva in mid-prowl as she’s on her way to a Chapter House meeting. The cover photo alone is worth the price of the book and you can feel that the author and photographer, Richard Surman, is not only a talented photographer but also as he declares on the dust jacket, a lifelong cat lover. The felines in his photos display their personalities to us especially on page 66 as Ivor attempts to play the organ or on page 93 with the smiling, aptly named Fat Cat. I defy anyone not to be cheered by that photo.
Each chapter features that cats who live within their particular Cathedral precincts with a brief description of their individual eccentricities and also the Cathedral staff who look after them.
I was very amused by the names of some of the cats; Canterbury’’s Rhubarb, Fungus and Magic, Lazarus at St Edmundsbury and the glamorous Scheherazade at Ely.
A wonderful little book which I’m sure I’ll be re-reading again.
This was a lovely and very welcome gift from a friend.
However, I must confess that my only brush with a cathedral cat was when I found two little bowls sitting in a cloister. I can’t now remember whether it was Gloucester or Canterbury Cathedral but I hovered hopefully for some time in case their owner returned. Alas they didn’t. But, no doubt, they were curled up in a vestry somewhere else in the building or enjoying a photo call with visitors.
This book was published in 2006 so some of the featured cats such as Salisbury Cathedral’s Wolfie may have gone to the great fireside in the sky but I’m sure that there are always new cathedral cats to replace them. Wolfie lives on in a fridge magnet which is sitting on my fridge.
The book begins with an introduction explaining the author’s fascination with cats and cathedrals. As he says, cats are no longer invited into these hallowed places due to ‘their skills as keeping down vermin’ but also because cathedral staff have changed – both clergy and lay.
Nineteen Cathedrals and their handsome felines are featured with sumptuous colour photos of them posing on ecclesiastical property. For example, on page 34, the magnificently named Godiva and Leofric are perched aloft watching over College Green at Durham Cathedral. They look like furry gargoyles. There’s another photo of Godiva in mid-prowl as she’s on her way to a Chapter House meeting. The cover photo alone is worth the price of the book and you can feel that the author and photographer, Richard Surman, is not only a talented photographer but also as he declares on the dust jacket, a lifelong cat lover. The felines in his photos display their personalities to us especially on page 66 as Ivor attempts to play the organ or on page 93 with the smiling, aptly named Fat Cat. I defy anyone not to be cheered by that photo.
Each chapter features that cats who live within their particular Cathedral precincts with a brief description of their individual eccentricities and also the Cathedral staff who look after them.
I was very amused by the names of some of the cats; Canterbury’’s Rhubarb, Fungus and Magic, Lazarus at St Edmundsbury and the glamorous Scheherazade at Ely.
A wonderful little book which I’m sure I’ll be re-reading again.
May 21, 2019
A lovely look inside some of the most beautiful and historic buildings in Britain by giving the biographies of all the cats that live there.
As an unexpected spinoff the reader also gets a look at the life of the Cathedrals and who looks after them. There are families living there with children and other animals as these are working communities both pastoral and serving the wider communities.
The cats pass through all these places, making them their own. They garner the love and devotion of their human companions and show a glimpse into a world that can appear mysterious to the outsider.
The cats are all beautiful, their personalities are quickly captured with all their foibles and eccentricities.
A fun satisfying read.
As an unexpected spinoff the reader also gets a look at the life of the Cathedrals and who looks after them. There are families living there with children and other animals as these are working communities both pastoral and serving the wider communities.
The cats pass through all these places, making them their own. They garner the love and devotion of their human companions and show a glimpse into a world that can appear mysterious to the outsider.
The cats are all beautiful, their personalities are quickly captured with all their foibles and eccentricities.
A fun satisfying read.
August 14, 2020
Great book to dip into. Beautiful pictures and nice little sections about each cat/ location.
Easy reading for a few minutes distraction, not something you would read for more than half an hour at once.
Easy reading for a few minutes distraction, not something you would read for more than half an hour at once.
April 6, 2021
I bought this book on a whim whilst in Edinburgh. So glad I did. It's a lovely, sweet little book. For readers who like the look of cathedrals and/ or who are cat lovers. Apparently there is another book called Church Cats.
August 6, 2022
Bought this charming little book at Canterbury Cathedral, thinking I'd get to meet all the cathedral cats during my roadtrip through England... only to realize the publication year was 2007. Oh well! I still enjoyed all the character portraits of the cats.
February 9, 2022
Cathedral cats is one of the loveliest, most heartwarming books I have ever read, the photography is ever so beautiful and all of the cats are so sweet!
November 17, 2022
It's a cute book... Would be cool if there was so a map showing where the cathedral's are located
February 9, 2025
This looks like it could be one of those tacky gift books, but the writing really is very funny. The only sad thing is it probably needs an update now for the current residents.
June 29, 2025
Introducing various clerical cats, and their cathedrals. Great fun!
February 7, 2016
This one has been sitting on my bookshelf for years and while I've flicked through the gorgeous photos of cats exploring their cathedral homes, I'd never read the accompanying text. Alongside the photos, which are beautiful, are charming little profiles of the different cats, their personalities and their daily habits. It's all very English, and sweet. A nice casual read for an afternoon when I needed a little cheering.
December 12, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. Lovely stories about lucky cats who lives in English Cathedrals :). One gets to know their aventures and how they came to live there. I specially enjoyed Tomkins' story (from Chelmsford Cathedral). This book has really great pictures, too. It's really encouraging to know there is a place where cats are loved and taken care of.
November 22, 2014
I enjoyed this book very much. The photos were lovely, the pieces about the buildings were interesting, but for me, it was all about the cats. I think what I loved the most about this book, were the stories about the resident cats - their personalities, their habits, likes and dislikes. The author writes about them with a touch of gentle humour and obvious admiration. A lovely book.
April 23, 2008
Britain's cathedral dwelling cats are shown by Suriman in an excellent book of photos. It has a short piece written about each cat to accompany a short set of photos from each Cathedral.
May 25, 2012
This is a fun book to go through for any cat lover.
December 3, 2012
PROS: Cats! Some of the cat stories were hilarious, like the cat and the "sausage incident."
CONS: Cons? Why would a book about cats have any cons? Okay, more cat pictures!
CONS: Cons? Why would a book about cats have any cons? Okay, more cat pictures!
February 17, 2015
cute!!!
Read
December 31, 2015A quick little read. Basic history of each English cathedral is given, along with the individual cat(s) presences and personalities, and the people who own them.
January 27, 2016
an adorable books!
May 20, 2016
Loved this book! It had the potential to be boring, but the chapters were brief, the writing witty, and the anecdotes about each cat interesting and amusing.
April 11, 2020
As a lover of both cats and cathedrals, I adore all the stories in this book. I picked it up as a souvenir from the Bath Abbey in England. Perfect way to remember the trip!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews