The cathedral is gorgeous. I've only seen Coventry cathedral from a train. The modern part is ugly IMO, but I like the way they left the 14th century remains of the bombed-out old cathedral standing.

York Minster is impressive if you haven't been there.

and I recall being impressed by York Cathedal. Wish I could recall the other impressive ones. DURHAM and Salisbury too.! and ELY!

Here's some detail, about 10: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/shortcuts/2019/nov/26/stairways-to-heaven-britains-top-ten-cathedrals

Its exterior was amazing. That's a great link, I haven't seen enough of those cathedrals.

Been to York several times. One of my favorite cities in the UK. We almost gave our younger daughter York for her middle name--but alas, we chickened out. Which we had done it!

Love the city, the walls give you an interesting view of the city. Then there's The Shambles and the other beautifully preserved sections.

Gloucester is great. There was a lot more there than I knew. It's worth seeing.

Beautiful countryside in between. Hereford is kind of modest compared to Gloucester. I loved the intimacy of the cathedral close. And Worcester's just another 30 miles.

They're all amazing, and the cities are full of great sites.
Shrewsbury has an abbey, and it's worth a visit if you have time. It's Darwin's hometown, and the Brother Cadfael mysteries are set there. Lovely little town.
Interesting fact. The Severn just downriver from Gloucester has one of the strongest tides in the world. Supposedly at full moon, you can surf down the tide... well, if you're crazy, that is.

My favorite cathedral is Wells. It's full of wonderful things like a scissors arch holding up the main tower, and a very old working clock, and the town is glorious. But it's a ways from Gloucester.

You're making me jealous!

And close to all those others.
Coventry is heartbreaking.

Have cathedrals that are worth a visit

Now I admit that I was only 16 but I still have a very vivid picture of both the cathedral and the land around it. Yes, it was a long time ago so the area has probably changed a lot, but the cathedral was like stepping back into another era altogether. It was both beautiful and awe inspiring. For the next several years I saw a lot of cathedrals, but Ely is the only one that I still have a very clear personal picture and feeling about, except for Coventry which was an emotional and intellectual challenge. Yeah, I'd go back to Ely if given the chance and I can't say that about most places. I've become very lazy in my retirement.

2. Ely
The ship of the Fens, its towers best seen floating on a morning mist across the fields. The swirling upward view inside the central lantern is near psychedelic – the view down from the gallery no less so. Exquisite carvings in its Lady Chapel still bear the scars of iconoclast vandalism.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/shortcuts/2019/nov/26/stairways-to-heaven-britains-top-ten-cathedrals

Yup, that’s what I remember except it was late afternoon when we got there. The light was subdued and the feeling almost otherworldly. The light in side the cathedral was dark but not gloomy. Rather very subdued and in between times. Not afternoon and not yet evening. You have y to o remember I was 16. But, still, when I think of English history the Ely cathedral is one of my first images.

Just north of London. My son lives in Hemel Hemstead. It is a short drive from his place. The cathedral is old. The Magna Carter was signed in it. I visited it. I wish I was able to take a tour through it but none that day. It's a beautiful town. It has Roman ruins in it and the oldest inn in England . Cromwell had stayed in it.

And loved it.

starting with the Romanesque and moving all the way to Flamboyant and Perpendicular Gothic before the Renaissance put an end to it. I would love to do a tour like you're planning.

Go for it!

local manor houses that are open to the public.

Just one more reason I love England so much!

And take day trips via train to the other cathedral towns in the area? Would that be the nicest city to stay in?