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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 grounds 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 (aged 17 and under)

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

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 or Said Evening Prayer with Organ Meditation*   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

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

 

Easter Sunday worship

Whether in-person, online or by TV and radio, there are lots of ways you can share with us in this celebration of Christ’s resurrection.
Find out more.

 

Lifestyle 196

"The Archives collection includes documents (written on parchment, made from animal skin) from the Anglo-Saxon period which are older than any of the cathedral buildings above ground, and which have always been kept here at the cathedral, on the same site!"

Cressida Williams, Archives and Library Manager

England's First Cathedral

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.

 

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

Through the Centuries


597 St Augustine arrived in Kent and soon established the first Cathedral
1070-1077 Cathedral rebuilt by Archbishop Lanfranc
1098-1130 New Quire built over a Crypt (present Western Crypt)
1170

Thomas Becket murdered in the Cathedral

1175-1184 Quire rebuilt. Eastern Crypt. Trinity and Corona Chapels added (all as seen today)
1220 Becket's body placed in new Shrine in Trinity Chapel
1377-1405 Lanfranc Nave demolished and rebuilt as seen today. Cloister vaulting inserted
c1450 Pulpitum Screen constructed
1498 Bell Harry Tower extended and the Cathedral largely complete as seen today
1538 Becket's Shrine destroyed by Henry VIII
1540 Monastery dissolved by royal command
1541 New Foundation of Dean and Chapter established
1660-1704 Repair and refurbishing after Puritan damage
1834 North West tower rebuilt
1954 Library rebuilt, repairing War damage
1986 Altar of the Sword's Point (Martyrdom) restored
1988

Compass Rose placed in the Nave

2000 International Study Centre (Cathedral Lodge) opened in the Precincts

 

Copy Of Cathedraloutsidenite

"The cathedral is a meeting-place between cultures, a place for people to come to share the sense of inspiration, creativity and a tortuous history"

George

My favourite artefact

By Kevin Keeley

In amongst the grandeur of the Cathedral one simple object draws me, unerringly, to it every time I enter. The tomb of the French Bishop and Cardinal, seemingly abandoned, who was never able to return home, even in death. I always say good morning to him and thank him for not responding. This summer I am going to visit the town of Beauvais where he was their Bishop. How could I not?

Book your tickets

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

What history means to me

By Mark Baldwin, local resident

It’s the history. Of the millions who have visited and worked there, still thousands have left a trace to be seen if you look. Not the obvious tombs and memorials, but the markings of builders, staff and even the common people are visible everywhere. The alterations to architecture speak of the development of the church and its history, the masons marks show where those now forgotten people laboured, and the markings made by visitors - scratched ‘medieval graffiti’ give some insight to those that have walked this way before, and left an anonymous notation in time.

Hear from our visitors...

Unique architecture

Emma M

I love the history of the building, and the calming feeling of peace I get when I visit.  I love all the quirky carvings, specifically the little cat, the rabbit and the dragons on various tombs. I also think the ironwork is absolutely fabulous - the dragon door handle to the crypt, and the hinges of the door on the north side of the choir.

My favourite stained glass

Kate F

These show some of the miracles that were said to have taken place after the murder of Thomas Becket. Many of the pilgrims visiting his tomb would not have been able to read and write, and stained glass windows were meant to depict the glory of God, as well as educate and entertain pilgrims.

History for children

Barnaby L

Children should look out for our fantastical creatures. There is a larger lion's head at the end of an archbishop's tomb to also discover. And the amazing split-tailed mermaid roof boss in the South Cloister pane. There’s even an uninhibited imp, each hand holding the muzzle of a horse – perhaps representing the Horses of the Apocalypse. 

Copy Of Crypt

"In fact, it really is one of the very best places to visit and be a part of"

James

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