Sightseeing Entry

Our current major project is the West Front. We are aiming to raise £6m to fund:

• Conservation and repairs to the iconic West Front of the Cathedral
• Apprentice stonemasons
• Improved disabled access at the main South Door

We are completing conservation works to the lower third of the building.

This includes:

• cleaning and repairs to degraded masonry
• reinstatement of ornately-carved decorative pilasters on Southern Elevation
• repairs and reinstatement of Inscription course, partial reinstatement of polychromy, and repairs to the Wicket Gate.

To be completed before Spring 2026.

Comprehensive environmental monitoring shows that the rapid exchange of air - either cold air in winter or warm, moisture-laden air in summer - is a primary contributing factor to the deterioration of delicate historic fabric.

As such, control of air movement within the Cathedral building could be key to maintaining relative humidity and creating a stable atmosphere that provides both comfort to our visitors and has the least detriment to the fabric of the building.

The Crypt in particular is acutely vulnerable to sudden changes of air mass due to its sole point of external access being the north door, and with internal doors to the west constantly left open. To mitigate this, we are exploring the temporary installation of partitions to the arches that separate St Nicholas and St Mary Magdalene Chapels from the main Crypt area. With these in place, the potential environmental benefits can be assessed rigorously and, dependent on the data, the installation of permanent partitions can be considered.

Temporary access ramps are to be installed to the Southwest doorway of the Cathedral and the steps immediately inside, leading to the South Nave Aisle.

This is both a temporary measure during excavations around the Northwest Tower, and a trial for efficacy and convenience of use. A further temporary ramp will be installed on a trial basis leading into The Great Cloister.

It is hoped that these will act as proof of concept and help us to shape a permanently better access and welcome for all visitors.

Canterbury Cathedral’s glorious Becket Miracle Windows tell stories of real people, recorded by Canterbury monks in the 1170s. The windows were created between 1190 and 1220 by the best stained glass artists working in medieval Europe. A 15-year research and conservation project is currently underway to reveal the real stories behind the images, and to ensure their future survival.

This unique set of eight (originally twelve) stained glass windows is the medieval equivalent of today’s graphic novels, illustrating the experiences of pilgrims and people in need of healing. 

Over time, the identity of many of the persons depicted in these stories has become lost or confused. 

Since 2017, the Stained Glass Studio at Canterbury Cathedral has partnered with Dr Rachel Koopmans of York University, Toronto in research to reveal the lost identities in the windows. Three windows have so far been investigated and partially re-arranged to recover the correct narrative order.

As part of the project, analysis of the chemical composition of the many different glass colours is being carried out by material scientists.

New environmental protective glazing will ensure the long-term preservation of the precious and fragile glass.

One of the largest projects of its kind, The Canterbury Journey has achieved a radical transformation in the accessibility and sustainability of Canterbury Cathedral.

The project began its formal development and planning process in April 2014 with a successful Round 1 application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), and completed its final elements in November 2022.