Tickets and opening times

We can’t wait to welcome you to Canterbury Cathedral. Tickets can be booked online or are available to buy on the day at our visitor centre. Please check our website prior to your visit as opening times may be subject to change.

Monday to Saturday 09.00 - 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 ground and Shop only. the Cathedral church opens at 12.30.

 

 

Adult

£17.00

Our standard visitor ticket is valid for 12 months, meaning you can re-visit the Cathedral as often as you want during that time at no extra cost.

Children (under 17)

Free

Children 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.

 

Canterbury Students

Free

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.

English Heritage Members

20% discount on visitor entry

  • Not valid with other promotions or offers.
  • Discount applies to tickets bought on the door at our Visitor Centre only. Discount is not available for online booking. Standard price admission tickets cannot be refunded and exchanged for discounted tickets.
  • Valid until 31 March 2024. T&Cs apply.

Cathedral Pass

Locals can enjoy unlimited visits for the equivalent of just 10p per month!

You may be eligible for a Cathedral Pass if you:

  • work in the old city of Canterbury
  • live within 4 miles of Bell Harry tower, including within The Precincts
  • are a member of the Cathedral Congregation
  • are immediate family of a Cathedral staff member
  • are a member of any church in the diocese (on the parish electoral roll or equivalent)

Our Cathedral Pass cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions or offers.

Apply for The Cathedral Pass

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Event calendar

Have a look at the range of events Canterbury Cathedral has on offer below.

 

 

What's on

There’s something for everyone – see what exciting events are currently taking place.

See what's on

Service times

Daily Eucharist   08:00
Lunchtime Eucharist   12:30 (Wednesdays and Feast Days only)
Daily Choral Evensong*   17:30
Sunday Choral Eucharist*  11:00
All are welcome and there is no charge to attend a service. *Live streamed online.

Services

Online worship

Every day the Cathedral’s services are broadcast on our YouTube channel. It’s perfect for when you are unable to be here in person. 

Explore 

Find us

We can't wait to welcome you to the Cathedral

Monday to Saturday 09.00 - 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 ground and Shop only. the Cathedral church opens at 12.30.

Address

Cathedral House
11 The Precincts
Canterbury
CT1 2EH
United Kingdom
Get directions

Parking 

Parking in the Cathedral grounds is only available for Blue Badge holders, subject to limited availability and prior arrangement. There are several public car parks nearby. 

Find out more

 

Evening closure of Precincts, Tues 26 – Sat 30 September

Due to the Luxmuralis light show and the need to manage large queues, public entry to the Precincts after 17:30 will only be possible for Luxmuralis ticket holders or those attending Choral Evensong.

Planning your visit? Remember to check our upcoming closures.

Tues 26 – Sat 30 September

Luxmuralis: Renaissance

Immerse yourself in the greatest artworks of the Renaissance, exploring through light and music the wonder and awe that revolutionised Europe, and bridged the gap from the Dark Ages to modern-day civilisation.

Book your tickets

Lifestyle 086

"I love the history of the building, and the calming feeling of peace I get when I visit."

October-December 2023

What's On Guide

Discover the special services, events, family-friendly activities and new visitor experiences at Canterbury Cathedral.

Download (PDF)

Explore England’s First Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral sits at the heart of English history, with over 1,400 years of stories for you to discover.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral sits alongside the Giza Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, and Chichen-Itza as a must-visit location of outstanding universal value to humanity.

Find out more about the Cathedral through the ages. 

Whether seeking out dragons and grotesques, marvelling at carved tombs, or exploring our cloisters and green spaces, there’s plenty to do, including a range of events during school holidays.

You might even be lucky enough to spot the peregrine falcons that sometimes make the Cathedral their home!

Plan your visit to the Cathedral. 

For more than 1,400 years, God has been worshipped in Canterbury Cathedral.

With its roots in the Benedictine tradition, our ongoing daily pattern of morning and evening prayer and Eucharist (Holy Communion) continues the prayers of countless generations.

All are welcome to come to our services.

Find out more about worship at Canterbury Cathedral. 

The Cathedral is a masterpiece of stained glass, stone and art, and our Archives & Library holds an impressive collection of manuscripts and records dating back to the 8th century.

These unique items can be seen during your visit, by appointment, and online.

Find out more about our collections. 

"There is no lovelier place in the world than Canterbury" - Virginia Woolf.

Less than an hour from London, Canterbury is a perfect day out, with something for everyone - from parks and riverside walks, to great shopping experiences, and a diverse choice of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars.

Find out what else there is to do in Canterbury. 

Book your tickets

Tickets start from £17.00 or free if you are a local resident and have a Cathedral Pass. 

Book online for fast-track entry

Lifestyle 259

"My favourite part of the Cathedral is St Gabriel's Chapel, a small intimate space encapsulating its earliest history with secrets not found anywhere else"

Robert

Please give us your feedback

Public Consultation

As part of our transition to becoming a registered charity under the Cathedrals Measure 2021, the Cathedral’s statutes and constitution - which set out how we are governed - have been reviewed and updated.

We are now asking for public feedback on these.

Find out more

Discover our story

Canterbury Cathedral was established in 597 AD, when Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory the Great to reintroduce Christianity to England, was welcomed to Kent by King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha.

Discover the history.

Daily worship has taken place at Canterbury Cathedral for more than 1,400 years - a tradition we continue to this day. 

Join our services in-person or online.

Canterbury Cathedral is a living place of worship, maintained by an exceptional community, which includes friendly Shepherds and Stewards, talented craftspeople, world-class choir, and over 600 volunteers

Who you'll meet when you visit us. 

The Cathedral itself is a treasure trove of sculpture, paintings, and stained glass - but you can discover even more of the Cathedral collections in our Archives and Library, which hold a wealth of manuscripts, charters, illustrated books, maps and other records dating back to the late 8th century.

Discover our collections. 

What's on

Making History: Church, State and Conflict

A major new free* exhibition exploring the complex, and often violent, story of Church-State relations through the centuries.

Explore our exhibitions

Support us

Help us keep the story alive for future generations. See how you can get involved in our active community.

Get involved. 

Shop

From fun souvenirs to stunning jewellery – check out the Cathedral Shop.

Discover. 

Stay in the loop

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