Helter skelter installed in Norwich Cathedral so visitors can admire its architecture up close

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Norwich Cathedral in England has hired a helter skelter so visitors can get a better view of its ornamented roof before sliding down.

The 16.7-metre-high fairground ride has been positioned in the nave so that its 12-metre-high viewing platform offers a good view of the medieval cathedral’s vaulted roof.

Helter skelter in Norwich Cathedral as part of its Seeing It Differently campaign

Once they have seen the ceiling, visitors can then ride down the slide that snakes around the outside of the tower.

This particular helter skelter was built in 1947 and has been rented from Chipperfield’s Circus. It took two days to assemble its 1,000 parts in the nave of the cathedral. Rides cost £2, with the money going to cover the cost of the hire.

Reverend Canon Andy Byrant told the Guardian he got the idea while visiting the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

“I had the slightly risky thought of ‘I know this is amazing, but actually the ceiling at Norwich Cathedral is every bit as wonderful’,” he said.

“We have one of the greatest collections of medieval roof bosses anywhere in northern Europe. The trouble is they are so high up that most people never get a chance to really appreciate them.”

The roof over Norwich Cathedral‘s nave is 21-metres high and dates from the 15th century. Its stone vaults are decorated with 1,000 carved, painted and gilded bosses depicting scenes from the bible.

With the helter skelter in place people can view the ornamented ceiling better, but the temporary addition to the place of worship has not been well received by everyone.

The BBC reported that the former chaplain to the queen, Gavin Ashenden, has complained that Norwich Cathedral’s clergy have made a “mistake” by putting the “naff” funfair ride in the place of worship.

“For such a place, steeped in mystery and marvel to buy in to sensory pleasure and distraction, is to poison the very medicine it offers the human soul,” Ashenden said.