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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

school

"The best part of the day was the dressing up. I loved being a knight and I hope we can come back soon."

Billy, Year 5

School visits

How to book

Visits can be adapted for different year groups. It is also possible to book a self-led ‘entrance only’ visit. To make an initial enquiry, email [email protected], telephone 01227 865262, or complete an online enquiry form below.

Facilities are often booked up months in advance, so please contact us as soon as possible.

Visits to suit every school

Primary Schools

Canterbury Cathedral offers curriculum-linked primary school visits. Children will enjoy a costume trail or guided tour, as they see the places and hear the stories that bring their chosen topic to life.

Secondary Schools & A Levels

Explore the extensive history of Canterbury Cathedral on one of our curriculum-linked Secondary visits. Include a session in the Cathedral Archives and Library, discovering items from our collections, relevant to your learning objectives.

A-Level students can get stuck into the world of Canterbury Cathedral with a bespoke visit, tailored to their specific requirements. We can also provide an informative opportunity for students to speak to a member of the clergy.

Overseas schools

Canterbury Cathedral is often described as England in stone, and as such, is ideal for overseas students. An audio-visual presentation on the history and life of the Cathedral provides an interesting introduction to a visit. This is available in several languages (English, French, German and Dutch). 

There are also media guides available in several languages and guided tours can be in English, French, German, or Italian. Please be aware that our guides are volunteers and demand is extremely high so it is advised to book these facilities in advance.

Registration now open

Boy Chorister auditions

On Saturday 14 October 2023, we're hosting auditions for prospective boy choristers currently in years 3–7 to join our choir.

No previous experience is necessary, just a love of singing!

Register by Sunday 8 October 2023.

Support for students

Further and higher education

The Cathedral is a rich resource for students in subjects such as architecture, conservation, art, literature, music and religion. We offer tailored lectures, special interest guided tours, and ‘behind the scenes’ visits to conservation areas, and the Cathedral Archives and Library.

Please contact the Visits Office to make an initial enquiry.

Which pilgrim are you?

Try our new medieval pilgrimage interactive experience to select your own path, explore significant artefacts from the time and experience the sights and sounds of medieval Canterbury.

The choices you make will lead you to become a pilgrim from either the earliest years of pilgrimage to Canterbury in the decades immediately following the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, or one of Chaucer’s pilgrims who visited centuries later.

Primary schools

Secondary schools

Keeping you safe

Did you know that Canterbury Cathedral has its own Constabulary?

Our officers are here 24/7 to protect this special site, and to ensure the safety of all who come to visit and worship at the Cathedral.

FAQs

Yes. It’s best to book as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment as we get extremely busy, especially in summer. Un-booked groups are also charged more.

We have a lunch room in the Schools Department which is mostly reserved for primary schools. There are plenty of places in the Precincts where you can enjoy a packed lunch.

The closest toilets to the Schools Department are situated 50 metres away in the Cathedral grounds.

Please report to the Visitor Centre on arrival.

Yes, we have comprehensive risk assessments for the Cathedral Building, Precincts, and the project room. You are welcome to use these when completing your own risk assessment for your visit.

The Cathedral Shop stocks a wide range of gifts including plenty of items at pocket money prices. Alternatively schools can pre-book ‘goody bags’, which include a notepad, pen and a pencil, costing £2.50 each.

Let us know if you are going to be later than scheduled. Guides are booked for specific times and may only be able to wait for 15 minutes. If you inform us of your delay, we are more likely to be able to rearrange your activities so you still have an enjoyable visit.

Once you have entered the Precincts you are welcome to stay as long as you like. We suggest that you allow at least one hour for an ‘entrance only’ visit, or 90 minutes if you have booked tours.

School visit enquiry form

Please include both the number and whether this refers to age or year group

Stay in the loop

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