St. Paul’s Choir Residencies

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upcoming residency

St. Paul’s Choir will be in residence at Lincoln Cathedral, U.K., from July 28 - August 3, 2025.
The trip including travel dates will be from July 25 - August 4.

Our final preparation for Lincoln will be:
Friday, July 18 - 7pm - 9pm
Saturday, July 19 - 3pm - 5pm *
Sunday, July 20 - Evensong at 4pm (warmup at 2.30pm)
* (Saturday session followed by Gradney wedding - snacks provided)

IMPORTANT: New Travel Authorization required for UK

Please make sure your passport is valid and has at least 6 months before expiration on the date of travel.

American citizens do not need a visa to visit the United Kingdom, but are required to complete the new Electronic Travel Authorization (introduced 2025). It is simple and inexpensive, but MANDATORY!! Details here Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK

FLIGHTS

Choir members will need to make their own flight arrangements. 

There are direct flights between Houston Bush and London Heathrow operated by United Airlines and British Airways. We are recommending some here, but you may use any flights that work for you. It is a reality of air travel that connecting from one flight to another can be unreliable, so direct flights are less stressful.

The group bus from Heathrow Airport to Lincoln Hotel on Saturday, July 26 will depart when passengers on BA 0196 have reached the bus (estimate 1.00pm). You do not need to travel on the group bus, but everyone should be in Lincoln by 6.00pm on Saturday, July 26

Recommended direct flights from Houston Bush (IAH) to London Heathrow (LHR)

United Airlines
UA 5 departing IAH at 8.25pm on 7/25 (Fri) and arriving LHR on 7/26 (Sat) at 11.35am
UA 880 departing IAH at 4:20pm on 7/25 (Fri) and arriving LHR on 7/26 (Sat) at 7:40am
British Airways
BA 0196 departing IAH at 8:50pm on 7/25 (Fri) and arriving LHR on 7/26 (Sat) at 12:10pm
BA 0194 departing IAH at 3:35pm on 7/25 (Fri) and arriving LHR on 7/26 (Sat) at 6:50am

Recommended direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Houston Bush (IAH)

United Airlines UA 5
UA 879 departing LHR at 10.35am on 8/4 (Mon) and arriving IAH same day at 2.50pm
UA 4 departing LHR at 1.40pm on 8/4 (Mon) and arriving IAH same day at 5.50pm
British Airways
BA 0195 departing LHR at 9.25am on 8/4 (Mon) and arriving IAH same day at 1.45pm
BA 0197 departing LHR at 2.50pm on 8/4 (Mon) and arriving IAH same day at 7.15pm

Currency

The currency in the United Kingdom is the U.K. Pound (£). American credit and debit cards are accepted everywhere in the U.K., so taking U.K. cash in advance is not necessary.

public transport

Airport transfers and sightseeing excursion buses are included in your trip package. For any other transportation, there are lots of public options:

Lincoln Sightseeing Bus visits all of the central locations within the City of Lincoln
Tour Bus | Lincoln BIG

Trains operated by LNER run from Lincoln railway station to London King’s Cross
Cheap train tickets London Kings Cross to Lincoln | LNER
and to many other cities using LNER and other train operators

Uber operates in Lincoln, but Lyft does not.

MUSIC LIST

Please refer to the Library PDFs page

Provisional schedule

Draft schedule subject to change:

* attendance at all rehearsals and services is mandatory for choir members. Excursions are optional but encouraged; they’re great times for making friends!

Friday July 25 - Saturday July 26 - Travel
Fly to Heathrow Airport (overnight)

Saturday July 26
1.00pm group bus departs Heathrow Airport to Lincoln

Sunday July 27
Attend services at Lincoln Cathedral: 10.30am Sung Eucharist (Holy Communion with choir and 3.45pm Evensong

Monday July 28
morning rehearsal followed by guided tour of Lincoln Cathedral *
3.45pm rehearsal at Lincoln Cathedral
5.30pm singing for Evensong
6.30pm group dinner at Lincoln Hotel

Tuesday July 29 
morning and afternoon visit to Doddington Hall - lunch included *
3.45pm rehearsal at Lincoln Cathedral
5.30pm singing for Evensong    

Wednesday July 30   
possible morning rehearsal tba    
3.45pm rehearsal at Lincoln Cathedral
5.30pm singing for Evensong

Thursday July 31            
Day trip to Cambridge *

Friday August 1            
12noon Group lunch at Ole, Ole (Spanish tapas)
3.45pm rehearsal at Lincoln Cathedral
5.30pm singing for Evensong

Saturday August 2         
morning rehearsal time tba
3.45pm rehearsal at Lincoln Cathedral
5.30pm singing for Evensong

Sunday August 3            
9.00am rehearsal at Lincoln Cathedral
10.30am singing for Sung Eucharist
2.00pm rehearsal at Lincoln Cathedral
3.45pm Evensong
Following Evensong group bus travels to Heathrow. Dinner en route
Stay at Heathrow hotel

Monday August 4 - Travel
Return flight to Houston (morning flight will arrive in Houston afternoon/evening)

Cost includes:

Hotel accommodation for 8 nights at the Lincoln Hotel including cooked buffet “English” breakfast and 1 night at a Heathrow airport hotel

Admission to Lincoln Castle and Doddington Hall; Two group meals

Bus transportation costs to/from Heathrow, and on excursions are covered by St. Paul’s Choir fund.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Travel & Arrival

·         What documents do I need for international travel?
You will need a passport and UK Electronic Travel Authorization ("ETA", the cost is 16 to apply, but must be done in advance). 

·         Where will we meet the bus at the Heathrow airport?

We plan to meet at Heathrow Terminal 5 (exact location to be nailed down closer to the trip). The bus will depart around 1:00 pm.  This is after the British Airways (BA 0196) and United (UA 5) late flights have arrived. If you are on a different flight and experience a travel delay, you will likely need to travel to Lincoln by train (see question below).

·         If I'm coming in on a different flight and I miss the group bus, how can I get to Lincoln?

The train journey takes about three hours and involves a change of train, typically at London King's Cross and London Paddington:

1.       Heathrow Express: Take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington (15-20 minutes).

2.       Paddington to King's Cross: from Paddington, you can take the London Underground (Circle, Hammersmith & City, or Metropolitan lines) to King's Cross St. Pancras, which is the main station for trains to Lincoln.

3.       London King's Cross to Lincoln: from King's Cross, you can take a direct train to Lincoln Central with operators like LNER. The fastest direct trains take around 1 hour 46 minutes to 2 hours.

Please note: traveling across London in this way will require you to walk some fairly long distances and to carry your luggage up and down several flights of stairs.

Hotel Information

• Does the hotel have AC?  Do the hotel rooms have fans?

No, the hotel does not have air conditioning. There are a limited number of fans available at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis. If you prefer a cool room, we recommend bringing a small travel fan in your luggage or purchasing one online and having it shipped directly to the hotel.

• What hotels are we staying in and what is the contact information there?

Lincoln:
The Lincoln Hotel
https://www.thelincolnhotel.com/
Phone: +44 1522 520 348

London:
Sofitel London Heathrow
https://www.sofitelheathrow.com/
Phone: +44 20 8757 7777

• If I am taking a different flight and planning to meet the choir at the hotel in Lincoln, what time is check-in time at the Lincoln Hotel?

Check-in at the Lincoln Hotel begins at 2:00 pm. If you arrive earlier, you may be able to store your luggage at the hotel until your room is ready.

• Will I need a power adapter for my electronics?

You will need a plug adapter and you may also need a voltage converter. 

o    Plug Adapter: The United Kingdom uses Type G electrical outlets, which have three rectangular prongs.  US plugs will not fit into UK outlets, so you will need a plug adapter.

o    Voltage Converter: Many modern electronics (like phone chargers, laptops, and cameras) are “dual voltage” (100–240V, 50/60Hz). Check the label on your device’s power brick or charger. If it says “Input: 100–240V,” you only need a plug adapter.  If your device is not dual voltage (for example, some hair dryers or curling irons), you will need a voltage converter in addition to a plug adapter.

• Is WiFi available at the hotel?

Yes, wifi is available at the hotel and included in your cost.

Choir/Cathedral Information

• Are there any tips and tricks for packing choir robes and music?

Yes. Please pack your choir robe and music in your carry-on bag. Lost luggage is always a possibility, and the choir will not have extra vestments or music available. By keeping these essential items with you, you’ll be able to participate fully even if your checked bag is delayed.

• Where can I store my vestments during the week?

Details are still being finalized, but we anticipate that the Cathedral will provide a place to store your vestments during the week. Please bring a hanger than can be used to hang your items at the Cathedral.  We will share more information as soon as it is confirmed.

• What is the dress code while we are at the cathedral?

Dress is generally casual during our time at the Cathedral, but please keep in mind that we are representing St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.  For Sunday services—July 27th (which we will attend as a group) and August 3rd (our two for Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon)—please plan to dress up. While “dress up” may mean different things for everyone, Sunday services are not casual events.

• What is the temperature like inside of the Cathedral?

The temperature inside the cathedral is often noticeably cooler than the outside, even during the summer months.  As a result, you may find the interior to be chilly.  We recommend to pack a light jacket or sweater to ensure you stay comfortable while inside the cathedral.

Tour Information

• Are meals included in our tour cost?

Our tour cost does include a few meals.  Breakfast each day at the hotel is included.  We'll also have a group dinner at the Lincoln Hotel on Monday, July 27th.  Lunch on Tuesday will be at Doddington Hall and lunch on Friday will be at a local restaurant.

• Will there be free time for sightseeing or personal activities?

Yes, there is free time available for sightseeing/personal activities.  See our itinerary for available times.  Tom and Victoria with UK Choir Tours are our booking company.  If you would like ideas for things to do around Lincoln for your family/smaller groups, they live locally and are a great resource.

• Are there any group excursions or optional tours planned?  What is the daily schedule like?  Will there be time for rehearsals outside of the scheduled services?

See our itinerary for more details.

• Will there be a group communication during the trip?

Yes. We will use a WhatsApp group to send daily updates and important information. Please download WhatsApp before the trip. WhatsApp works over hotel WiFi, so you do not need an international cellular plan to receive messages. The tour company will also make daily announcements during breakfast at the hotel.

Most recent residency

St. Paul’s Choir was in residence at Truro Cathedral, U.K., from July 25 - 31, 2022, and at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London on August 1, 2022.

Past Choral Residencies and Tours

2022 – Truro Cathedral (Residency) and St. Paul’s Cathedral, London
2016 – St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Residency)
2011 – Exeter Cathedral (Residency)
2007 – Ely Cathedral (Residency)
2004 – John Wesley’s Chapel, London, and Southwark Cathedral, London
2003 – Ely Cathedral, (Residency)
2001 – Washington National Cathedral, and St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York
1999 – St. Thomas Church, Leipzig and York Minster (Residency)
1997 – St. Alban’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey (Residency)
1992 – Westminster Abbey (Residency)
1989 – Westminster Abbey (Residency)
1987 – St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, York Minster, St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey