Planning a future visit? Remember to check our opening times and upcoming closures.
From remarkable historical objects to fascinating reads in the Archives and Library, Canterbury Cathedral has an abundance of collections to pique your interest.
Things to discover
Exhibitions
What can you discover in our incredible range of exhibitions? Take a look at what’s on before you decide to visit to make sure you don’t miss out on something spectacular.
Historical objects
The Cathedral is full of paintings, sculptures, church silver, vestments, altar frontals, stained glass and much more. See the significant treasures and renowned artefacts for yourself as you take a walk around the Cathedral.
Book your tickets
Tickets start from £19.50 or free if you have a Cathedral Pass or Friends Card.
Other concessions available, with a valid proof of eligibility.
Group visits and school visits must be booked separately; KIDS GO FREE offer does not apply to group or school visits.
Fascinating facts
650
For nearly 650 years, the Black Prince’s funerary achievements have been held at Canterbury Cathedral, and are now on permanent display at our exhibition in the Crypt.
8,000
The archives of the Cathedral contains around 8,000 charters, including 30 that date from before the Norman Conquest!
50,000
The Cathedral Library contains about 50,000 books, and holds 40 incunables (books or fragments of books printed before 1501).
Our Archives and Collections contain over 200,000 documents - the oldest of which dates from the late 8th century – and about 3,000 objects.
Talks and tours
Our free* 15-minute Mini Talks offer a a bite-sized exploration of the Cathedral’s history, and guided tours are the perfect way to discover the Cathedral’s amazing history, spaces, and secrets.
We also host a range of paid talks, and run various free* themed talks, tours and open days through the year.
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply).
'The Inside Story' Tour
WEEKLY Monday - Saturday 10:30, 12:00 and 14:00 and Sundays 13:00
Discover the story of Canterbury Cathedral through its soaring architecture, beautiful medieval stained glass and the history that helped make and shape the Cathedral.
From the Cathedral’s origins in the 6th century, the tour will encompass 1,400 years of history - with tales of royalty, clergy and everyday craftsmen who made the Cathedral what it is today - set amid a background of wars, political struggle and tales of bravery.
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit.
FREE* Mini Talks
DAILY Between 10:00-16:00, various intervals
Listen to a bite-sized exploration of the Cathedral’s history with a free 15-minute Mini Talk, delivered by our knowledgeable team.
A great chance to discover more about the 1,400 years of history of our magnificent Cathedral - from the Black Prince and the turbulent Thomas Becket, to our Historic Graffiti and marvellous Stained Glass.
Take a pew and learn something new!
Talks subject to availability on the day. Ask at our Visitor Centre for times.
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Kids go FREE everyday! (T&Cs apply); does not apply to group bookings or school visits.
Various dates throughout the year
FREE* Family Tours
Next tours: Monday 26 - Friday 30 May, 11:05 & 13:30
Bring your little historians to Canterbury Cathedral to hear stories of Becket and the Black Prince, Monks and Miracles, Tombs and Towers.
These tours are aimed at children aged 6 - 13 but are suitable for the whole family to enjoy!
Keep an eye on our Event Calendar and socials for future tour dates
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply).
VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations
Themed talks & tours
This year, the nation celebrates the 80th Anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe Day’ (VE Day), which marked the end of the war in Europe on May 8th 1945.
In honour of this day, we are holding a special programme of services and events at Canterbury Cathedral.
FREE* WWII-themed Mini Talks
Thurs 8 May - Between 10:00-16:00, various intervals
‘The Cathedral in WWII’ Tours
Various dates between Mon 5 - Sat 10 May
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Kids go FREE every day! (T&Cs apply); does not apply to group bookings or school visits.
Gentle Tours
Dates in May & June
Join us for our step-free tours, delivered at a gentle pace, in a smaller group; split into two parts, with a comfort break.
Hear the story of Thomas Becket, our most famous Archbishop, and see the site of his murder and feast your eyes on some of our oldest stained glass windows.
Explore the Quire and a ‘Cadaver tomb’, contrast medieval and dramatic modern windows and find out why there is a cannonball in an Archbishop’s tomb!
Dates:
- Thursdays 1, 15 & 29 May, between 14:15-16:00
- Thursdays 12 & 26 June, between 14:15-16:00
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
American Connections Tour
Dates in April - June (New dates added regularly)
Discover the strong bond that Canterbury Cathedral has with the United States.
This is the story of centuries of friendship across the Atlantic.
Dates:
- Victory in Europe (VE) Day: Thurs 8 May, 11:15-12:30
- Memorial Day: Mon 26 May, 11:15-12:30
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: Thurs 19 June, 11:15-12:30
- Fri 27 June, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Tudors and Stuarts Weekend 2025
Fri 25 - Sun 27 April, various timings and locations
The Centre for Kent History and Heritage’s annual Canterbury History Weekend returns for its 10th year!
A diverse programme of lectures and guided visits showcase recent research on the period of the ‘Tudors & Stuarts’, making it readily accessible to a wide audience.
Tickets: £10 per event; £8 per event when buying 10 or more tickets; £2 student tickets available for some lectures
This weekend event is organised by the CCCU Centre for Kent History and Heritage in conjunction with Canterbury Cathedral Archives & Library, which will provide two tours.
Stained Glass Windows Tour
Dates in April - June
Did you know that some stained-glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral are amongst the oldest in the world?
Join us on a guided tour, offering an introduction to the history and range of stained glass found at the Cathedral, from medieval to modern.
Discover richly-detailed Bible-story windows, explore Miracle Windows and see the oldest stained glass in England.
Dates:
- Fridays 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May, 11:15-12:30
- Fridays 6, 13, 20 & 27 June, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE LODGE
‘The Monks Tale’ Archives Afternoon
Monday 28 April, 13:45-17:00
Join us for a fascinating afternoon, exploring the history of the Benedictine monastery at Canterbury Cathedral, and the life of the monks who lived and worked here over the centuries.
See some examples from the historic collections in the Cathedral Archives, followed by an informative talk from Cressida Williams, Cathedral Archivist, before taking a guided tour of the parts of the Cathedral grounds relating to monastic life.
The event concludes with an afternoon tea in the Refectory Restaurant, with the option to attend Evensong at 17:30.
£32 per person (10% discount for Friends of Canterbury Cathedral)
All events at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge have limited availability and must be pre-booked.
Full pre-payment will be taken at the time of booking and is non-refundable, unless we are able to re-sell places booked.
‘The St Thomas Becket Story’ Tour
Dates in May & June
Uncover the full story of St Thomas Becket in the Cathedral, where echoes of his life and legacy resound.
Explore the places in the Cathedral associated with the life and death of the renowned saint and martyr, from the location of his shocking murder in 1170; to the site of his first tomb, where over 700 miracles were reported; and discover how the story was re-told in stained glass.
Dates:
- Wednesdays 7, 14, 21 & 28 May, 11:15-12:30
- Wednesdays 4, 11, 18, 25 June, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
SEASONAL TOUR
'Climb the Corona' Tour
Dates in May & June
The Corona Chapel was built in the 12th century to house the crown - ‘corona’ in Latin - of St Thomas Becket’s skull, which had been sliced off during his murder and was revered as a saintly relic.
Explore the Chapel, usually closed to the public, before climbing the 95 steps to the top of the Corona Tower itself!
Dates:
- Wednesdays 7, 14, 21 & 28 May, 14:15-15:15
- Fridays 9, 16, 23 & 30 May, 14:15-15:15
- Fridays 6, 13, 20 & 27 June, 14:15-15:15
- Wednesdays 11, 18 & 25 June, 14:15-15:15
£12 per person. Cathedral admission not included.
This is a popular tour; pre-booking suggested. Over 16s only.
Read full tour information and restrictions before booking.
Historic Graffiti Tour
Dates in April - June
On this tour, members of the Cathedral’s Historic Graffiti Team will shine a light on a selection of the historic graffiti that can be found throughout the Cathedral.
Focusing on the Eastern Crypt, Quire and Trinity Chapel, a selection of different types of historic graffiti from different periods will be revealed; along with the very different motivations in the past for making marks on walls.
Dates:
- Thursday 15 May , 13:15-14:30
- Thursday 26 June, 13:15-14:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Cathedral Library Tours
Dates in May & June
Our Cathedral Library collection includes books from the early decades of printing onwards, including books from some of the earliest European printing presses.
Join a guided tour to learn more about the Library and to explore some of the collection close-up.
Dates:
- Thursday 15 May, 14:00-15:00
- Thursday 12 June, 14:00-15:00
- Thursday 26 June, 14:00-15:00
£8 per person, plus admission charge.
Pre-booking required, not suitable for under 12s.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE LODGE
A Day to Explore the Cathedral Gardens
Mondays 19 May & 16 June, 10:15-17:15
Join us for a fascinating day of exploration!
Discover the history of gardening at the Cathedral, with a talk by members of our gardening team, and a chance to see some items from the wonderful collections of the Archives and Library relating to gardens and wildlife.
Enjoy a two-course hot lunch in the Refectory Restaurant, followed by a tour of the Cathedral gardens, with tea, coffee and cake to finish the day.
£67 per person
All events at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge have limited availability and must be pre-booked.
Full pre-payment will be taken at the time of booking and is non-refundable, unless we are able to re-sell places booked.
EXCLUSIVE TOUR
Private Evening Cathedral Tours
Dates in May - October
Discover the Cathedral when it is closed to the public, on an exclusive guided tour taken ‘out of hours’ led by one of our expert guides, who will share many fascinating stories with you.
This tour is perfect for history lovers and those seeking a unique way to enjoy the Cathedral - book your exclusive evening tour now and look forward to an truly special experience.
Dates:
- Fri 23 May, 18:30-20:00
- Fri 20 June, 18:30-20:00
- Fri 18 July, 18:30-20:00
- Fri 22 August, 18:30-20:00
- Fri 12 September, 18:30-20:00
- Fri 3 October, 18:30-20:00
£40 per person. Pre-booking required.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE LODGE
‘Magna Carta’ Talk and Afternoon Tea
Monday 9 June, 14:15-16:30
This year marks 800 years since the issue of the 1225 Magna Carta under King Henry III. It was this which became the final version of the document, rather than the first Magna Carta of King John of 1215.
In this illustrated talk, Cressida Williams, Cathedral Archivist, will talk about the importance of Magna Carta, including its associations with Canterbury.
The talk will be followed by a full afternoon tea in the Refectory Restaurant at Cathedral Lodge.
£27 per person
All events at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge have limited availability and must be pre-booked.
Full pre-payment will be taken at the time of booking and is non-refundable, unless we are able to re-sell places booked.
POPULAR TOUR
Stained Glass Studio Tours
Friday 20 June, 14:00-15:30
Our Cathedral Studios workshop is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Stained Glass Heritage.
Visit the studio, meet one of our conservators and learn more about their specialist work in the conservation, restoration and protection of our historic stained glass.
£25 per person. Cathedral admission not included.
Pre-booking required; not suitable for under 18s.
NEW DATES ADDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
SPECIAL THEMED TOUR
‘Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales and The Cathedral’ Tour
Dates:
- Tues 1 July 11:15-12:15
- Thurs 3 July 14:15-15:30
- Sat 5 July, 12:15-13:30 & 13:15-14:30
Trace the life story of poet Geoffrey Chaucer through the Cathedral forever associated with his greatest work.
Regarded as the father of English Literature, Geoffrey Chaucer is permanently linked with Canterbury through his best known work, The Canterbury Tales. Whilst there is no documented evidence that Chaucer even visited Canterbury himself, his life story is interwoven with that of Canterbury Cathedral in the late 14th century.
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
Canterbury’s UNESCO Sites tour: Foundations of Faith
Dates in July & August
These full day tours run 09:30-16:30
Discover more about the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain on this unique fully-guided tour experience which takes you through the heartland of historic Canterbury.
Delve deeper into history with a guided tour at each location, and enjoy a sandwich lunch in beautiful gardens overlooking Canterbury Cathedral - all included.
Dates:
- Friday 11 July
- Tuesday 29 July
- Friday 1 August
- Thursday 14 August
£59.95 per person
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