By the end of the nineteenth century, the driving force of the Gothic revival, inspired by the High Church movement, was beginning to wane. There was a move away from the ‘dim religious light’ and the rich ornamentation of the mid 19th century. Instead there was a search for simplicity, for lime-washed walls and plain glazing. Gloucestershire benefited greatly from the Arts and Crafts movement; a number of notable architects and craftsmen living in the Cotswolds, with their work evident in many churches.

In more recent times, contemporary art has been well represented; for example a remarkable series of semi-abstract windows can be seen at St Christopher’s Church, Warden Hill, near Cheltenham. St Mary’s, Tetbury is a good example of a church which has been restored for the needs of modern worshipper, and its west tower has been transformed with an exciting contemporary painting ‘Annunciation’.

Gloucestershire retains an ongoing strong choral influence with choir schools at Gloucester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey. Weekday sung services can be experienced first-hand at both venues and Gloucester Cathedral is also famed for its part in the Three Choirs festival, which draws music lovers annually, and in turn, every summer to Gloucester, Hereford or Worcester. Influences from the past are still evident across Gloucestershire, with an active Sunday School movement and a number of thriving church schools.

Another great spiritual centre in the country is Prinknash Abbey. Benedictine monks returned here in the1930s and visitors are welcome today in the abbey and associated pottery.

The visitor may also like to know that there are a number of Christian retreats and conference centres in Gloucestershire, notably at Prinknash, Glenfall House, near Charlton Kings and at Lindors Country House at St Briavels.