The impressive architecture of Canterbury Cathedral has been crafted through hundreds of years of building and rebuilding, altering with each change of style within the medieval period.
Things to discover
On top of the remains of a small Saxon church, the earliest parts of the Cathedral were built in the 1070s as a place of worship. In 1174 a fire led to a major rebuild where a master stonemason brought new techniques from France to Canterbury. Throughout the years changing fashions led to various other rebuilds, which can be seen today.
Buttresses – Outside the Cathedral
These small walls sit at right angles, helping to keep the walls straight and stop them gradually pushing outwards.
Fan vaulting – Bell Harry Tower
When standing at the top of the pulpitum steps, look up into the Bell Harry Tower and see the beautiful vaulting above.
Row of three arches – South-east transept
These three arches highlight the changing styles of architecture. Originally thought to be three Romanesque (rounded) arches, the third has been re-carved in the early gothic style.
Romanesque arches – Western Crypt
The western crypt is the oldest part of the existing building, including examples of the magnificent Romanesque arches which were popular at the time.
Book your tickets
Tickets start from £15.50 or free if you are a local resident and have a Cathedral Pass*.
*Our relaunched Cathedral Pass is coming soon.
Fascinating facts
9
The number of our dedicated, talented and highly skilled stained glass conservators who work their magic to restore and conserve the Cathedral’s magnificent stained glass.
The team also design and create new works, illustrating the Cathedral’s living legacy.
Come and marvel at the Cathedral’s 150 or so stained glass windows.
13
The Cathedral is served by 13 incredibly talented stonemasons, including one apprentice.
Our stonemasons are highly skilled craftspeople whose work compliments the spirit and sensitivity of the building, and their work continues a tradition and legacy which dates right back to 597.
40
It takes approximately 40 tonnes of stone a year to maintain the Cathedral.
We use Caen and Lepine stone, which is French limestone, continuing the medieval tradition.
Medieval stonemasons created ‘mason marks’: a combination of their initials on each piece of stone to prove what they’d worked on.
Our stonemasons still use their own mason’s marks today.
Types of tours
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.
Royalty Tour
As we remember the life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - the longest reigning British monarch - join a special guided tour, telling the stories of royals through the ages. Groups can discover monarchs immortalised in stone, wood and stained glass.
Stained Glass Tour
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.
Precincts Tour
From the time of Ethelbert and Bertha to our current King, discover how the Cathedral survived targeted bombing by the Luftwaffe, and the day it turned red. Hear the haunting tale of Ellen Bean and marvel at the work of our modern-day masons.
Please note: This tour takes place outside, groups are advised to dress accordingly.
Monks, Maladies and Garden Tour
What was life like for the Benedictine monks? With archive documents recording a garden here 1,000 years ago, join us as we discover the significance of a medieval herb garden, the treatments for medieval diseases, and how the planets and zodiac influenced parts of the body.
Please note: This tour takes place outside, groups are advised to dress accordingly.
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