If you are looking for the ultimate in survivors of bygone times then look no further than the great English Cathedrals, still with us after being built mostly in the middle ages many are, at least in part, coming up to being a thousand years old, though there are a few examples like both of the Liverpool Cathedrals that are modern.

The term cathedral comes from the Greek, cathedra meaning seat, being the seat of the local bishop and indeed inside each cathedral you will find in the choir the bishop’s seat or throne as it is sometimes called.

Sadly, many of them were “improved” by the Victorians in a most insensitive way, though we should be grateful to them in one way as a number of them would not still be with us if they hadn’t been restored by said Victorians.

These grand old buildings provide many opportunities both in the wide and in detail for architectural photography at its best. There are the great spaces within them with their vaulted ceilings and soaring pillars, yet at the same time there are the lovely details such as the carvings on the misericords, gargoyles and tombs.

Finally there is the stunning stained glass, most of which (though happily not always all) is inevitably Victorian, the medieval glass having long gone. In some cathedrals the old glass was removed and replaced with plain windows to provide more light - sheer vandalism, but in keeping with what was then believed to be progressive thinking.

But the main thing is that they are still with us after all this time, a tribute to the stone mason’s art and to the commitment of their diocese in keeping them alive.

Anyway take a look at the photo galleries for Hereford, Salisbury, Winchester and Worcester Cathedrals and the one for Great Malvern Priory Church, a cathedral in miniature, so to speak.