From its atmospheric Crypt and medieval stained glass to the grandeur of the Nave and the stories of pilgrims, saints and royalty, a visit to Canterbury Cathedral is essential to any Kent or Southeast England itinerary.
Sightseeing at Canterbury Cathedral
Our sightseeing admission tickets give visitors access to the areas of Canterbury Cathedral open to the public. This usually includes the Cathedral, precincts, gardens, exhibitions, mini talks, activity trails and events, subject to availability.
Visitors can explore 1,400 years of history, including the Cathedral's magnificent architecture, medieval stained glass, historic graffiti, collections and stories connected with pilgrimage and worship.
Your groups can enjoy either a self-guided visit, a private guided tour, or bring their own Blue Badge Cathedral Accredited guide.
We provide:
- Media guides available to hire for £5. Available in English, French, German and Japanese
- Guided tours and mini talks to help visitors discover the Cathedral's stories
- Guidebooks available to purchase
- Payment options for travel trade, tour operators, guides and group organisers - ask about setting up an account with us
We recommend allowing around two hours for a sightseeing visit to Canterbury Cathedral, with extra time if your group would like a guided tour, or pre-booked refreshments.
Travel Trade and Group Rates
See our special rates for groups and travel trade.
Flexible payment options are available. Payment can be made in advance via BACs or over the telephone, or on arrival (please note that some tour elements require a deposit to be made to confirm your booking).
Credit Accounts. Subject to successful credit checks, we can set up credit account facilities, enabling you to use a Travel Trade voucher on entry and be invoiced post visit. Please contact us for an account application form.
Tours and Experiences
Audio Visual Presentation
Available in multiple languages, our Cathedral film provides a wonderful introduction to life at the Cathedral and sets the scene before your visit.
Cost per person: £1.50
Media Guide
With enhanced content at every step, our media guides - available in English, French, German and Japanese - allow each member of your group to take their tour, their way, delving deeper into what interests them and gaining insight from our experts.
We also offer a children's Media Guide.
To ensure enough media guides are available, groups should pre-book at least 2 weeks prior to visiting.
Cost per person: £5
British Sign Language media guides are also available, free of charge.
Christmas at Canterbury Cathedral Talk
One of the most important festivals in the Christian calendar, Christmas has been celebrated in different ways throughout history. This talk will cover customs associated with Christmas in the Middle Ages and highlight some of the Cathedral’s own traditions, such as our four special Christmas trees, our Christmas services and the Cathedral choirs who make Christmas sound magical.
Group Welcome
Book an introductory talk for your group to help them discover more about the history of this magnificent building. A talk lasting 10-15 minutes will be given by one of our Cathedral staff and provides an insightful overview to start your group's journey of discovery around the Cathedral.
Mini Talks
Mini talks lasting around 20 minutes are available to book on a variety of subjects, from a general introduction to the cathedral through to in-depth talks about Thomas Becket, the Black Prince, St Augustine and many more! A mini talk is a great way to give your group a bit of background knowledge or to allow them to delve deeper into their favourite subject. Contact the Visits team to find out more!
Archives and Library Tour
The Cathedral Archives and Library houses manuscript, archive, and book collections dating back to the 9th century. We provide both general visits or a tour specifically adjusted to the particular interests of your pre-booked group.
Charges for small groups apply, with a discounted rate for student groups. Specialist groups may incur an additional fee to cover time taken for research and additional preparation.
Maximum group size: 30 people.
Private Evening Tours
For an unforgettable experience, take your group on a private, guided tour of the Cathedral ‘after hours’. You can combine your evening tour with catering options from the Cathedral Lodge to make your evening visit even more special.
- Cost per person: £37.00.
- Minimum group charge: £925.00.
- Catering options are available on request.
Afternoon visit with Choral Evensong
Our world-famous Cathedral Choir’s Choral Evensong is free for all to attend. Make sure to book an afternoon visit or tour with your group and stay for the service at 17.30.
Please note that on Thursdays Choral Evensong is replaced with Said Evening Prayer with Silent Prayer.
Getting here and parking
By Rail
Canterbury has two train stations with links to London and Dover - Canterbury East and Canterbury West. Both are around a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral.
Canterbury Coach Park
Kingsmead Road
Canterbury
CT1 1BW
48 spaces for large vehicles
Open 24 hours every day.
Canterbury Coach Park is approximately a 10 minute pleasant riverside walk from the city centre. There is no coach parking available within the city walls.
The coach park is easily accessible from the main routes into the city with parking machines accepting credit cards and cash.
Toilets including disabled, baby changing facilities and water point are available.
No height restrictions.
Canterbury Coach Drop-Off Point
The coach drop off point is located in St George's Lane in front of Whitefriars Shopping Centre and approximately 400 metres from Canterbury Cathedral. There are 2 marked bays for drop off and pick up.
Events and Programming
Please note, all talks, tours and special events have a maximum capacity; pre-booking is essential. Please arrive early, as events will start promptly. Late arrivals may not be permitted entry to the event. Please read the event information and T&Cs before booking.
Assistance dogs only are permitted at services, talks, tours and special events (unless otherwise stated).
If you have any questions, please contact our Visits Team at [email protected]
Reflective Guided Pilgrimages
WEEKLY on a Thursday (please check dates), 16:30-17:00
Join our Pilgrim Officer after visiting hours, for a short guided pilgrimage around the outside of the Cathedral, stopping at places of significance for reflection and prayer.
We will walk in silence between reflections of meaning, in an exercise of mindfulness, and in preparation for the evening service.
All are welcome to our evening service at 17:30, followed by a blessing.
Free to attend; but donations gratefully received.
MONTHLY
FRIENDly Singing for Wellbeing
St Paul’s Church Hall, Canterbury, CT1 1NH
ALL welcome – rusty singers included!
Turn up for a cuppa and a biscuit, followed by sociable singing to put a smile on your face, led by Jamie Rogers, Assistant Director of Music, and our Choral Scholars.
Please join us between 14:00-15:00 on the following Mondays:
NO session in July 2026
- 14 September 2026
- 12 October 2026
- 2 November 2026
- 14 December 2026
This is a free event, but donations to help sustain this monthly event are welcomed.
All welcome. No need to book.
Organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Charity No 1210093).
EXCLUSIVE TOUR
Cathedral Library Tour
Wednesday 7 October, 14:00-14:45
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.
£8 per person. Cathedral admission not included. Pre-booking required.
EXCLUSIVE TOUR
Behind the Scenes: Book and Paper Conservation in Action
Tuesday 13 October, 14:00-15:15 in the Conservation Studio
A rare chance to see behind the scenes of the Archives and Library, in our conservation and bookbinding studio.
Learn about the skills and techniques required to repair fragile paper, parchment, bindings and seals, and view some fine and rare examples of bindings from our collections.
£25 per person. Cathedral admission not included.
Pre-booking required; not suitable for under 18s.
Regrettably, due to the location, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, and is not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Canterbury Festival presents
Anna Lapwood: Live in Canterbury Cathedral
Friday 16 October, 20:00 at Canterbury Cathedral
One of the UK’s most dynamic ambassadors for classical music gives her first performance on the Canterbury Cathedral Organ.
Expect a dazzling programme of film music interspersed with traditional organ repertoire.
As the official organist of the Royal Albert Hall, Anna Lapwood has broken genre boundaries and introduced a huge new audience to the organ. An established conductor, broadcaster, and a fierce advocate for the advancement of female voices within her industry, she has reached millions via her devoted social media following and collaborated with artists from Florence & the Machine to Benedict Cumberbatch.
Tickets: £13.50 (+ £1.50 fees)
Due to the position of the Cathedral organ audiences will be unable to see Anna directly, however a live video feed of Anna’s performance will be projected onto a large screen in the central nave.
Canterbury Choral Society presents
Festivities, Fanfare and Fireworks
Saturday 17 October, 19:30 at Canterbury Cathedral
Join Canterbury Choral Society and the London Mozart Players for an evening of celebratory masterpieces in the beauty of Canterbury Cathedral Nave.
Bringing together the glory of the High Baroque and Classical periods, this concert combines two of Handel’s majestic anthems written for the Coronation of King George II in 1727, together with the music he wrote for a grand fireworks display following a victory against the French.
This is followed by one of the finest of Haydn’s six great masses, his Harmoniemesse, written for the name day of Princess Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy, the wife of his patron.
Tickets range: £21.50 - £32.50 (+ £1.50 fees)
Canterbury Festival presents
Circa: Eternity
Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 October evenings, various times
A one-of-a-kind Festival experience. Acrobats hang from the roof of the Nave and perform incredible feats in a bespoke Cathedral circus piece for a rare UK performance.
- Tue 20 Oct, 19:30
- Wed 21 Oct, 19:30
- Thu 22 Oct, 19:30
- Fri 23 Oct, 19:15 & 21:30
- Sat 24 Oct, 19:15 & 21:30
Step into Canterbury Cathedral for a transformative hour of world class circus from Australian ensemble, Circa.
Take your seat around the catwalk stage to witness these talented circus artists explore powerful emotions and delve into profound themes such as love, death, loss, hope and wonder.
Tickets range: £40 - £43.50 (+ £1.50 fees)
Canterbury Festival presents
Britten Sinfonia’s Surround Sound Playlist
Tuesday 27 October, 19:30 at Canterbury Cathedral
Lie down and discover a completely new way to experience world-class classical music in this relaxed, immersive performance with Britten Sinfonia and Tenebrae in the magnificent setting of the Cathedral Nave.
You’re sitting or lying on mats in the Cathedral, looking up at the soaring arches and beautiful ceiling above. Lighting states shift and capture the mood as a seamless musical sequence fills the magical space from all directions… like a drivetime radio mix or eclectic playlist, but live and all around you, performed by more than 100 musicians, with orchestral drama, solo virtuosity and heart bursting moments of choral beauty.
Tickets range: £25 - £53.50 (+ £1.50 fees) - Child tickets from £8.50
A FRIENDLY EVENT
Quilters’ Guild Partnership Class
Wednesday 28 October, 10:00-16:00 in the Community Studio
An inaugural class run in partnership with The Quilters’ Guild.
Students will be creating a design inspired by our Cathedral’s Cosmati Pavement using the English Paper Piecing quilting method. More information and details of how to book will be released in the autumn.
£65 for Friends of Canterbury Cathedral and members of The Quilters’ Guild; £95 non-members.
Cost includes the kit, a sandwich lunch, and afternoon tea and cake.
This event is organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 1210093).
Canterbury Festival presents
APOLLO5: Crossings
Thursday 29 October, 19:30 at Canterbury Cathedral
Take a musical pilgrimage along the Via Francigena as critically acclaimed British vocal ensemble APOLLO5 launch their new album Crossings at Canterbury Festival with an expansive programme which maps this historic pilgrimage route in song.
One of Britains’ smallest but most dynamic vocal groups bring their vibrant and versatile sound to the atmospheric setting of Canterbury Cathedral. Part of the VOCES8 Foundation, APOLLO5’s repertoire embraces Renaissance, classical and contemporary works alongside folk, jazz and pop.
Tickets range: £21.50 - £32.50 (+ £1.50 fees)
EXCLUSIVE ONSITE PARTNERSHIP CLASS
RSN Day Class: Canterbury Robin inspired by the James I Charter
Saturday 28 November, 10:00-16:00 in the Community Studio
Embroider a beautiful festive robin motif, with Royal School of Needlework tutor, Kathryn Sanders - an exclusive design and class, inspired by the original James I Charter issued in 1608.
After the morning session, you will visit the Cathedral Archives and Library to view, under the guidance of the Cathedral Archivist, the original James I Charter; an exquisite illuminated document of historic significance.
This exclusive partnership class is part of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral’s unique association with the Royal School of Needlework, dating back to the 1930s.
The class cost is £185 per student and includes all materials and necessary equipment to complete the project.
