England has no finer treasure than its cathedrals. Each cathedral serves its community as the mother church of its area and the seat of a bishop. They are physical and cultural landmarks and make a great contribution to the spiritual life, historic environment and social and economic activity. It is not the size of a church that makes it a cathedral; not even the amount of pomp and circumstance. Only one piece of furniture ensures that a church can be called a 'cathedral': a chair (cathedra). Click here to see a selection of bishop seats of all shapes and sizes.Move the mouse over the map, click and discover the parts of a cathedral.