Cathedral Cathedral’s Schools’ Labyrinth is beginning a tour of the county that the Cathedral has served for 900 years. 

The Schools’ Labyrinth is an exciting and innovative art project bringing together the creative skills of children from more than 60 Cumbrian schools with the theme of pilgrimage and labyrinths which lie at the heart of the Cathedral’s ‘Journey and Rest’ anniversary programme. 

Having been on show at the Cathedral in June, the Schools’ Labyrinth is now touring Cumbria, starting at Holy Trinity Church in Kendal where it will be on display in Kendal throughout July and August.  

The installation, which is free to visitors, will then tour other locations in Cumbria for the rest of the year. 

The Schools’ Labyrinth is a joint project between the Cathedral and the Carlisle Diocese. Working with Cumbrian artist Abby Kilfedder, schools were invited to put their own unique designs on large foam tiles which when they come together create a breathtaking labyrinth on which visitors are invited to walk. 

Peter Barfoot, Headteacher at St Mark’s Church of England School in Natland, whose school contributed to the project, said:  “The Labyrinth is such a powerful cultural idea for linking Church schools across the Diocese. Each tile is filled with local images and symbols, special to individual schools and pupils and yet a simple pathway joins them together. A prayer walk around Cumbria in just a few steps."

The Rev’d Canon Shanthi Thompson, Vicar of Holy Trinity Kendal and Honorary Canon of Carlisle Cathedral, said: “It is always wonderful to gather at our county’s Cathedral for times of celebration and worship. This installation brings something of the life of the Cathedral to communities around Cumbria so that we can all experience this wonderful project.”