Gerard Smith built the organ for the Cathedral in 1692. In 1831 Elliot & Hill built a new organ within the old case, which stood on the quire screen.  This organ was rebuilt in the north quire triforium by Hill & Son in 1851, when the old case and screen were removed and the present case, to a design by Sir Gilbert Scott, was installed. It was again rebuilt by Hill in 1867.

In 1908 H&H built a virtually new organ, incorporating some of the old pipework and other materials. Most of the organ was placed in the north quire triforium, with the console below, on the stone gallery behind the top of the choir stalls. The Tuba, originally in the north transept, together with the largest pipes of the Double Open Wood, was later re-sited with the main organ.

In 1975 the organ was overhauled and the actions were made electro-pneumatic. A new Positve organ was installed in the lower part of the Scott case, upperwork was added to the Pedal, and other changes were made, especially to reeds and mixtures. However the basic tonal structure of 1908 remained intact.

In 1999 the organ was completely dismantled to allow essential work to be carried out on the fabric of the triforium; it was overhauled and re-assembled in 2000. Six new stops replaced existing pipework, and an Orchestral Trumpet was added. The mixtures were revised, and the Tuba, Pedal reeds and Positive Organ revoiced. The intention has been to restore a consistent musical style in the spirit of 1908, without losing the fire and vitality introduced in 1975.