Table for the Nation
A stunning 13m table made from ancient, fossilised oak will be on display at Blackburn Cathedral from May 2026 for an entire year.
Table for the Nation will begin it's residency at Blackburn Cathedral in May 2026.
As part of our Centenary celebrations, The Table for the Nation will be in residency at Blackburn Cathedral for a year and will be available for all to see.
We are excited to see how our communities embrace the Table and plan to host a wide range of special events at Blackburn Cathedral.
A full programme of events and ways in which our communities can get involved will be announced in due course.
What is the Table?
Created from a section of the nation’s most significant tree - a gigantic 5,000 year old Fenland Black Oak - the 13m table is made from ancient, fossilised oak and is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
Unlike anything seen before, ‘A Table for the Nation’ gives us a unique insight into the scale and majesty of our ancient high forests.
The installation is accompanied by a fascinating exhibition detailing the entire process from trunk to Table.
About the Table
The black oak was discovered in 2012, the year of HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and was completed and unveiled in 2022, the year of HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The table was dedicated to HM the Queen and is a 'Table for the Nation'.
This is the furthest north the Table will have been, having previously only been displayed at Ely, Rochester, Lincoln and Litchfield Cathedrals.
Visiting the Table
The table will be available to view during normal opening hours and we plan to display and use it in the Nave, Transepts and even the Temple Gallery.
The Table will be used across special worship, services and gathering throughout the year.
Full visitor information will be released in due course.
Events around the Table
The Table will be displayed and become the home to a number of special events and community activities throughout its year-long residency at Blackburn Cathedral.
We aim for it to become a focal point for a range of community events, gatherings and private hospitality.
Full event information will be released in due course.
