Discover More About William Morris & Co. Stained Glass at Upcoming Tours

Ever walked past a big old church or cathedral and stared up at the colourful windows? They're not just pretty bits of glass; they're stories, frozen in time. And some of the most amazing ones were made by a group of artistic superstars from way back in the Victorian era. Now, there's a chance to get the inside scoop on some incredible examples of this art. On Saturday 28th March 2026, Bradford Cathedral is running special tours to show off its stunning collection of William Morris & Co. stained glass, and it's a chance to see these masterpieces up close and personal. These aren't just any old windows; they’re a big deal in the art world, created by some of the most famous names of their day.

So who was this William Morris chap anyway?

Right, let's get into it. Imagine a design genius, a bit like a Victorian version of someone who could design a cool video game, a blockbuster film set, and a must-have trainer all at the same time. That was basically William Morris. He was a hugely famous Victorian artist, designer, and writer who believed that everyday things should be beautiful. He got tired of the boring, factory-made stuff of his time and decided to make his own. He founded a company, William Morris & Co., to create everything from wallpaper and furniture to, you guessed it, breathtaking stained glass. He wasn't working alone, though. He got his mates involved, who just happened to be some of the best artists around. Think of them as an artistic supergroup. This crew included big names like Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Ford Madox Brown. These artists were part of a movement called the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Their whole thing was creating art that was super detailed, full of colour, and often inspired by stories from myths, legends, and the Bible. Their work was a complete game-changer, and their stained glass windows are like colourful comic books telling epic tales.

What's the deal with the windows at Bradford Cathedral?

Bradford Cathedral is incredibly lucky because it has some of the very early work created by this artistic dream team. The upcoming Morris & Co. stained glass window tours are a fantastic opportunity to see these pieces. These aren’t just windows; they are genuine historical treasures. The collection showcases designs not only by Morris himself but also by his famous collaborators. The cathedral is home to a real treasure trove of their work. What's extra cool is that there's even a figure in one of the windows that experts only recently discovered was designed by William De Morgan, another important designer from that period. It's like finding a hidden level in a game you've played a hundred times. Seeing this collection of stained glass is a rare treat.

The person in charge of these things at the cathedral, Maggie Myers, who is the Director of Education and Visitors, is clearly excited about it. She says:

“We are delighted to be able to offer these new tours exploring our Morris & Co. stained glass here at Bradford Cathedral. We are fortunate to have an extensive collection of the early work of Morris & Co. in 4 locations in the building, with designs by D G Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, Ford Madox Brown, Philip Webb, Peter Paul Marshall, Albert Moore, William De Morgan and William Morris himself.”

That's a serious line-up of artistic talent all in one place. These tours are the perfect way to get to grips with the history behind the beautiful Morris windows.

It's not just about Morris

While the focus of the day is on the work of William Morris & Co., the tours have another showstopper up their sleeve. Visitors will also get to see the magnificent West Window. This huge, colourful window wasn't made by Morris, but it's from the same era and has that same beautiful Pre-Raphaelite style. It was designed by a firm called Heaton, Butler and Bayne. Think of them as another big-name band from the same music scene. Heaton, Butler and Bayne were also masters of creating stunning stained glass, and this window is considered one of their best. It’s a riot of colour and detail that floods the whole cathedral with light. Seeing it is an experience in itself. Maggie Myers calls it a "beautiful and colourful Pre-Raphaelite gem,” and she’s not wrong. It perfectly complements the Morris windows and gives a fuller picture of what this amazing period of art was all about.

Getting up close on the tours

These guided tours are the best way to really understand what people are looking at. An expert historian will lead the way, pointing out all the details that might otherwise be missed. They’ll explain the stories in the windows, who the characters are, and the clever tricks the artists used to make the glass so vibrant. It's one thing to look at a window, but it's another to have someone explain the hidden symbols and the history behind its creation. The tours offer a chance to get much closer to the stained glass than usual, allowing visitors to appreciate the incredible craftsmanship. For anyone interested in art, history, or just looking for a unique day out, these tours are a brilliant idea. The specific event, the Morris & Co. stained glass window tours, is a highlight in the cathedral's calendar. There will be two tours on Saturday 28th March 2026, so there are a couple of options to fit into a weekend plan.

How to get your tickets

Ready to go? Getting tickets for these special tours is simple. The event takes place at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday 28th March 2026. There are two time slots available for the guided tours: one at 11am and another at 1pm. Tickets cost just £7 each, plus a small booking fee. Booking in advance is a must, as places are likely to be popular for this deep dive into the work of a celebrated Victorian artist and his circle. Securing a spot is easy, and the booking process is all online. For anyone wanting to see some incredible art and learn a bit of history, this is the perfect opportunity. These tours are more than just a walk around a building; they are a journey back in time to see the world through the eyes of William Morris and his revolutionary artist friends. Make sure to get your tickets sorted for a fascinating look at this historic stained glass.

• Event: Morris & Co. Stained Glass Window Tours

• Location: Bradford Cathedral

• Date: Saturday 28th March 2026

• Times: 11am and 1pm

• Tickets: £7 + booking fee

• Booking for 11am tour: https://morris-glass-tour-am.eventbrite.co.uk

• Booking for 1pm tour: https://morris-glass-tour-pm.eventbrite.co.uk