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UK / South East / Kent

Canterbury Cathedral

11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH

Discover a day out 1,400 years in the making.

Founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is a unique place of worship, a major pilgrimage destination, a masterpiece of art and architecture, and one of the UK’s most-visited historic sites.

It is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and resting place of royalty and saints.

Often referred to as ‘England in stone’, the Cathedral has been at the centre of momentous events and upheavals.

Take a walk through 1,400 years history, with architectural triumphs, spectacular stained glass windows, and magnificent collections – discover all that the Cathedral and its grounds have to offer.

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Opening Times

Visiting Times

Monday - Saturday

9.00 - 17.00

(Last admission at 16.00)

Sunday

11.30* - 17.00

(Last admission at 16.00)

*Between 11.30-12.30, access is available to the Cathedral grounds and Shop only. The Cathedral church opens at 12.30.

 

Opening times are subject to change. Prior to visiting, please check our website for details of any closures in place.

Worship Times

Morning Prayer (Matins)

Monday - Friday

07:30

Weekends and Bank Holidays

09:15

Taizé Lunchtime Prayer

Mondays, during choir term time

12:30

Lunchtime Holy Communion

Wednesdays

12:30

Choral Evensong †

Monday - Wednesday

17:30

Friday - Sunday

17:30

Said Evening Prayer

Thursdays

17:30

Sunday Sung Eucharist †

11:00

All are welcome and there is no charge to attend a service.

 

Services are subject to change. Please check our website for service details and closures in place.

 

† Live streamed online.

Prices

Cathedral Admission

October to March

£18.00

April to September (Excl. weekends in July & August)

£19.50

Weekends in July & August

£21.00

Kids go FREE every day!*

Multi-day tickets. Valid for 365 days from booking; re-visit the Cathedral and Precincts as often as you like during that time at no extra cost

 

*Children (aged 17 and under) go FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. (Max 2 children per paying adult; does not apply to group bookings or school visits). Children must be accompanied at all times.

 

All sightseeing entry includes† :

• Entry to the Cathedral, Precincts and gardens
• Exhibitions
• Mini talks
• Activity trails
• Visitor events
† Subject to availability

Enhance your visit*

Guide books - Fascinating facts and stunning photography to help you get the most from your visit - and a perfect souvenir.

From £3.00

Media Guide - Take your tour, your way and delve deeper into the Cathedral’s fascinating history.

£5.00

Young Explorer’s Media Guide - A child-friendly version of our multimedia guide.

£5.00

Guided tours - Discover the Cathedral’s story, spaces and secrets with our expert tour guides.

£5.00

*Optional add-ons. In addition to, not including, cost of Cathedral admission.

Guided Tours

£5 per person plus admission charge.

Our guided tours are the perfect way to discover the Cathedral’s amazing history, spaces, and secrets.

 

Find upcoming tours, talks and more at www.canterbury-cathedral.org/whats-on/events

 

Book at our Visitor Centre, or reserve your space by emailing visits@canterbury-cathedral.org

Concessions

Pre-book online Universal Credit Day Ticket** (with proof of eligibility)

FREE

Application Registration Card (ARC) holders (with valid card)

FREE

Local University Students*** (with student ID)

FREE

Cathedral Passholders and Friends Cardholders (with valid pass/card)

FREE

**Pre-book online. Free day entry tickets are available to those in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit (£3 suggested donation). Universal Credit Day Ticket holders are required to present proof of eligibility alongside their booking (See full T&Cs).

 

***Students studying full-time at local universities – Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Kent, University for the Creative Arts – enjoy FREE entry with their student ID.

Facilities

Dog Friendly

Baby Changing

Disabled Access

Toilets

Events

1st - 31st May

VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations at Canterbury Cathedral

This year, the nation celebrates the 80th Anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day’ (VE Day), which marked the end of the war in Europe on May 8th 1945.

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26th - 29th May

FREE* Stone Week Activities at Canterbury Cathedral

This May half term, help Gregory Gargoyle on his Stone Quest and try your hand at carving!

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26th - 30th May

FREE* Family Tours at Canterbury Cathedral

This May half term, bring your little historians to Canterbury Cathedral to hear stories of Becket and the Black Prince, Monks and Miracles, Tombs and Towers.

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Other things to do nearby

25th Jul

Twelfth Night at Fort Amherst

A play by William Shakespeare. If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction.

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18th - 19th Jul

Divorced, Beheaded, Died at Fort Amherst

The year is 1544 and King Henry, the Eighth of that name, is engaged upon a Royal Progress about his Realm.

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26th - 30th May

FREE* Family Tours at Canterbury Cathedral

This May half term, bring your little historians to Canterbury Cathedral to hear stories of Becket and the Black Prince, Monks and Miracles, Tombs and Towers.

View event
26th - 29th May

FREE* Stone Week Activities at Canterbury Cathedral

This May half term, help Gregory Gargoyle on his Stone Quest and try your hand at carving!

View event
1st - 31st May

VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations at Canterbury Cathedral

This year, the nation celebrates the 80th Anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day’ (VE Day), which marked the end of the war in Europe on May 8th 1945.

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5th May 12:00pm - 4:00pm

VE Day’s Knees Up at Fort Amherst

On Monday 5th May 2025 we will be hosting a VE Day Knees Up, celebrating like it’s 1945!

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3rd - 9th May

World War Two Tours at Fort Amherst

New for 2025 we will be introducing our World War Two tour, exploring areas of the Fort that have rarely been open to the public.

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15th Jun

Midsummer Nightmare at Fort Amherst

Midnight Circle Theatre present “Midsummer NightMare”.

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1st Mar - 31st Oct

Call The Midwife Official Location Tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

If you’re a fan of the hit series and you’ve been wondering where Call the Midwife is filmed, put yourself in the picture and explore where the real drama happens with a Call the Midwife Official Location Tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

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