St George's Cathedral

St George's was consecrated in 1894, designed by Arthur Blomfield and built entirely of timber, mostly greenheart, to a Gothic design, rising to about forty-three metres, which puts it among the tallest wooden buildings in the world. Inside, the timber is left largely unpainted and the roof structure is open to view, with stained glass and a chandelier given by Queen Victoria. It is the defining building of Georgetown and one of the reasons the city is known for its wooden architecture.

What you actually see

• The timber structure - a Gothic cathedral built entirely of wood, mostly greenheart.
• The height - around forty-three metres, among the tallest wooden buildings anywhere.
• The open roof - the timber framing visible from inside the nave.
• The stained glass - windows and a chandelier given in the Victorian period.

When to go

Year round; the cathedral keeps daytime hours and services on Sundays. Mornings are coolest inside. Georgetown's rains fall heaviest from May to July and November to January.

Honest expectations

The building has had ongoing structural and termite problems and parts have been under repair for long periods. There is no formal tour and interpretation is minimal. Traffic and street conditions outside are chaotic.

Nearby

Stabroek Market is a short walk, and central Georgetown surrounds it.