A 33ft Christmas tree has now been installed in Salisbury Cathedral.

On Monday December 6, Guyatts of Salisbury expertly manoeuvred the giant tree through the medieval door of the Cathedral.

The tree this year is a 33ft Norway Spruce grown and felled in Longleat Forest, where trees are managed sustainably.

This week, a team of volunteers and staff are decorating it with around 1000 LED lights, as well as glass baubles and glass droplets.

As Norway Spruces grow around a foot a year, this tree is around 33 years old, and the Cathedral says a new tree will be planted in Longleat in its place.

The Cathedral will open late on Wednesday December 15, from 6.30pm until 9pm, for residents and visitors to admire its festive decorations, including the tree and the Renaissance style Nativity.

There will be carols from The Kate Edgar Singers, as well as the unveiling of the newly commissioned and child-friendly wooden Nativity figures created by Ray Wirick, a chainsaw artist.

The Shop and Cafe will also be open throughout the evening.

There is no need to book. For more information, click here.

There will also be a Family Service on Christmas Eve, at 3.30pm.

This year, it will feature three camels from Little Durnford, along with the Cathedral’s regular donkey Jilly from Teffont and giant 8ft Nativity puppets. 

The camels, owned by Lady Chichester, are domestic Bactrian Camels, named Timujin, Lena and Ivan.

During the service, the puppets, camels and donkey will make their way up and down the Cathedral aisles and the nave, creatively re-imagining the story of the Nativity for the children. 

From November 19, Salisbury City Council’s Christmas Tree Trail also returned to the city centre.

Starting at the Cathedral and finishing at the Market Place, the trail guides you through the medieval streets of Salisbury to find all the decorated trees.

Read more: 16 events to look forward to this Christmas in Salisbury

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