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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

Who's visiting?

If making new discoveries is your thing, you can explore hidden chapels, secret gardens and medieval ruins.

Venture down into our atmospheric crypt and discover a painted chapel that was hidden for centuries.

Walk in the footsteps of medieval monks in the Great Cloister and find rabbits, green men and even a mermaid!

Seek out the hidden Herb Garden and find the ruins of a medieval dormitory.

We’ve got lots to keep little ones entertained and engaged.

Find out more

Kids Go Free until 31st December 2023 (T&Cs apply).

Young explorers can take part in a Gregory Gargoyle trail and claim a free gift!

Enjoy a discovery guide, for those who want to learn a little more.

Our kids’ media guide is available to offer a guided tour for junior explorers aged 6 and over.

Baby Change Facilities are available on site and the Cathedral is buggy-friendly!

Described as ‘England in Stone’, Canterbury Cathedral has 1400 years of history waiting to be discovered.

Uncover the spot where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170.

Explore the royal tombs of King Henry IV and the Black Prince, complete with his Achievements.

Discover Lancastrian Kings on the Pulpitum Screen.

Explore the Chapter House and find stories of kings and archbishops immortalised in stained glass.

Regular exhibitions are held in the Cathedral and Visitor Centre.

Entrance is included in your ticket price.

The Archives & Library holds an impressive collection of manuscripts, historic records, photographs, maps and printed books dating back to the late 8th century.

Introductory tours are run regularly.

With so much to see and do, you’ll want to return to Canterbury Cathedral again and again.

Don’t forget that your visitor ticket is valid for 12 months, enabling you to visit throughout the year as often as you want.

Nothing beats a festive visit to Canterbury Cathedral with our beautiful Christmas trees and traditional Crib.

During the summer months all our gardens are in full bloom and offer a wonderful escape from the bustle of the city.

With a changing programme of guided tours on offer throughout the year you can be assured of learning something new.

Discover our stained glass secrets on an autumn tour and uncover the hidden gems in our gardens on a summer tour.

See our tour programme

Our exhibitions change regularly, and with one-off events ranging from lectures to recital performances, you can be assured of a new experience whenever you choose to visit.

See our latest exhibitions

Sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to be kept up to date with the latest exhibitions and events.

Local residents can apply for a Cathedral Pass which enables unlimited visits for the equivalent of just 10p per month.

Discover a wealth of events on your doorstep.

Find out what's on

Canterbury Cathedral has a packed events programme all year round- from talks, concerts and exhibitions through to kids’ half term activities.

Pick up a copy of our What's On guide for more information or look online

If you are thinking about bringing a group to visit Canterbury Cathedral we can help you design a great visit. 

Find out more about our options for groups.

CLOISTER006

"The Cathedral exudes a warm, calm and welcoming atmosphere. The Cloisters - one of my favourite areas - give a strong feeling of history and unending continuity".

Robert

Make the most of your visit

How much time do you have?

Enjoy our Media Guide!

With enhanced content at every step, our media guides allow you to tour the Cathedral in your own way, delving deeper into what interests them and gaining insight from our experts.

Don’t miss... The site of St. Thomas Becket’s martyrdom, the Black Prince’s tomb and achievements, the stunning medieval Miracle Windows and the dizzying view from the Pulpitum Steps up to the intricate ceiling of Bell Harry Tower.

Take a tour and more!

Join a regular guided tour to learn the Inside Story of Canterbury Cathedral’s remarkable history.

Explore the Cathedral Precincts and Gardens - relax in the beautiful Memorial Garden and walk the tranquil Cloister.

Spend some time in the peaceful Crypt, a serene place for contemplation and reflection, and the oldest part of the Cathedral.

 

Explore the Water Tower exhibition and learn more about the Benedictine monks who lived at Christ Church Priory during the Middle Ages.

Discover the unique artefacts in our Making History exhibition, including The Black Prince’s shield, a grant from one of Thomas Becket’s murderers, and an 11th-century Accord signed by William the Conqueror.

 

Treat yourself to a delicious snack from our Refreshment Kiosk before exploring our Visitor Centre exhibitions and checking out our fantastic Gift Shop.

Everyone is welcome!

Attendance at services is free and an Order of Service is available to read at all services.

See full details of services and times.

Visiting the Cathedral in the afternoon? Why not stay for Choral Evensong, which offers an atmospheric way to end your day with us.

Delve a little deeper: With guided tours running throughout the day, free mini-talks, exhibitions, and a range of family-friendly activities and events to enjoy, you can easily fill a whole day at the Cathedral!

Plan your day (part 1)

Start your visit by walking through the Cathedral Precincts, beautiful gardens, and monastic ruins.

Once inside the Cathedral, book on to one of our regular guided tours to learn the Inside Story or delve deeper into stories of the monks’ lives or the history of our stunning stained glass windows.

Enjoy one of our regular free 15-minute mini-talks covering a wide range of subjects. These are a great way to discover fascinating facts and stories about the Cathedral.

 

Plan your day (part 2)

Ready for a break? Our on-site kiosk offers snacks and drinks throughout the summer.

Look out for our special events - from guided Library tours through to expert talks and hands-on demonstrations, there are regular unique events taking place.

Stay for Choral Evensong.  Why not join us at 17.30 for daily Evensong to experience this centuries-old tradition for yourself, and to enjoy the Cathedral’s world-class music making. All are welcome, and there is no charge to attend a service.

Explore beyond The Precincts:

Canterbury is a beautiful and vibrant city, with a rich history and plenty to discover. A great way to do this is on an official guided walking tour of the city with Canterbury Tourist Guides. Tours include access to the Cathedral Precincts, and are led by fully-qualified Green Badge Guides.

After your visit to the Cathedral, why not explore the two other parts of Canterbury’s UNESCO World Heritage Site - St. Martin’s Church, the oldest church in England, and St Augustine’s Abbey, originally created as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent, and a key site in the rebirth of Christianity after the departure of the Romans.

See www.martinpaul.org and www.english-heritage.org.uk for details.

If you want to fully-immerse yourself in the history of Canterbury’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, a six-hour guided tour runs on selected days throughout the year, offering a fascinating and detailed insight into the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain.

Check https://www.canterburyunescotour.co.uk/ for more details and to book a tour.

Simply want to take time out? After your Cathedral visit, you can explore Canterbury’s many shops, cafes and restaurants, take a stroll through the city’s beautiful public gardens, or book a riverboat tour.

What's on in Canterbury 

Book your tickets

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

Architecture

The impressive architecture of Canterbury Cathedral has been crafted through hundreds of years of building and rebuilding.

Stained glass

From miracles to murders, the 1200m2 of stained glass brings to life the rich, and sometimes gruesome, history of the Cathedral.

Cathedral grounds

Historic ruins, momentous memorials, and scenic gardens. There’s so much to see within the grounds.

Collections

From remarkable historical objects to fascinating reads in the Archives and Library, Canterbury Cathedral has an abundance of collections to pique your interest.

Copy Of Crypt

"Come and discover England’s first cathedral, see the Black Prince’s achievements, learn about the story of Thomas Becket, and immerse yourself in over 1,400 years of history."

Hannah

Guided tours

 

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

Tours can be booked at our Visitor Experience Desk on arrival.

 

Inside Story

Discover the Cathedral’s history through its soaring architecture, glorious spaces, and the people who made it what it is today, told by our wonderful tour guides.

Also available in German, French, Dutch, Swedish and Russian.

Through the Stained Glass Window

New techniques have established that the stained-glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral are among the oldest in the world. This new guided tour introduces the history and range of our stained glass.

We're dog friendly!

Visitors can bring their well-behaved four-legged friends into the Cathedral building and grounds.

  • Dogs must be on a short lead at all times.
  • Owners must clean up after their dogs.
  • Unfortunately, dogs aren’t able to accompany their owners on a guided tour or mini talk.
  • Only assistance dogs are permitted at services.
  • Dog bins are available.

Who you might meet

A warm welcome...

Our Shepherds are always ready to welcome you to the Cathedral with a smile! You can spot them by their blue jackets, and if you have any questions, they’re happy to help.

A wealth of knowledge...

Our expert tour guides and volunteers can help you to discover the Cathedral’s amazing history, spaces and secrets – from the arrival of St Augustine to the murder of St Thomas Becket and beyond.

A 1,400-year-old tradition of worship...

Our clergy and virgers help to maintain the daily pattern of worship and to ensure that everyone feels welcome at our services, from our major Christmas and Easter services, to the daily hourly prayers.

Our chaplains are also available should you wish to speak with someone.

Your safety is our priority.

Our Cathedral Constables are on site at all times to keep our visitors, worshippers, and staff safe.

All of our Constables are trained first responders for fire and first aid emergencies.

Gregory is no ordinary Gargoyle.

He lived up on the roof of Canterbury Cathedral for hundreds of years until one day – when The Canterbury Journey work began on the roof – he jumped down to meet all the young explorers who visit the Cathedral!

Stay with us

The Lodge

Make your trip an unforgettable experience by staying in our first-class accommodation, the Cathedral Lodge.

This stunning accommodation includes entry to the Cathedral and is located in the best possible place in the city – on the Cathedral grounds.

What's on

Exhibitions

Uncover artefacts, history, and art through our selection of intriguing exhibitions.

Other highlights

The War Horse

Discover the 20-foot War Horse - nicknamed Joey – built by students and staff from Canterbury College to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Medieval herbs

Nestled amongst the ruins of the former monastic dormitory, our re-imagined medicinal herb garden has over 80 plants, and is a beautiful spot to take some time out.

Wildlife

The Cathedral grounds are teeming with flora and fauna – you might even spot a stag beetle or peregrine falcon.

Much of our recent planting is intended to provide interest beyond the flowering period, with plants displaying interesting foliage or spectacular seeds heads.

Shop with us

Cathedral shop

From souvenirs to stunning jewellery, take a look at the spectacular range of products in the Cathedral Shop, located near the Christ Church Gate. Every sale is greatly appreciated and goes towards supporting the Cathedral.

Stay in the loop

Sign up to our newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest events, news and offers

By adding my email I confirm my subscription to the newsletter and understand that the email address provided will be held by the Cathedral and the email service company (dotdigital) to use for distributing this newsletter only. For more information please see the Cathedral Privacy Notice.