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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

All types of experiences for your kids

Our seasonal trails bring over 1,400 years of history to life – helping young explorers with inquisitive minds to uncover the Cathedral’s fascinating story.

Our story

Did you know that dragons lurk in Canterbury Cathedral?

In fact, there are lots of animals and fantastical creatures for young explorers to discover in the Cathedral’s stained glass, carved stone, and amazing objects!

Make a day of it

With a range of interactive activities available during school holidays, there’s always something creative to get involved with.

One of our most popular events is the demonstration of traditional medieval stonemasonry techniques by our stone masons, where you can find out if you have what it takes to be a Cathedral Stonemason!

Fascinating facts

105

There have been 105 Archbishops of Canterbury, beginning with St Augustine in 597 AD.

The current Archbishop is The Most Reverend, Justin Welby.

250

Bell Harry Tower (the tallest point of the Cathedral) is 250 feet in height from the ground – that’s the same as 15 double-decker buses stacked on top of each other!

800

The Cloister ceiling contains over 800 bosses featuring heraldy and crests from families who contributed towards it’s reconstruction.

If you look closely, you can spot a hare, a starfish and even a mermaid!

Free download

We need your help!

Our bestiary (a book about animals) was written and decorated over 700 years ago – but was never finished. Some animals were never illustrated, and some of the illustrations were never coloured.

Can you help us by colouring in the animals? 

The illustrations can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Simply print them out and keep your little artists happy whilst on your visit. 

We’d love to see your finished work. Share them on social media by tagging @cburycathedral on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Book your tickets

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

5 things to see & do at the Cathedral

Dive into history with our fun trails and historic hunts. Claim your free gift in our Cathedral Shop at the end.

Our beautiful Precincts grounds are the perfect place to come for a family picnic and enjoy the view of the Cathedral.

A great place to begin your tour of the Cathedral’s history.

Our media guides bring the Cathedral’s story to life and are an accessible way to engage the whole family.

An engaging exhibition in our Water Tower, with digital elements to bring history to life for everyone.

No visit is complete without a trip to our brilliant Shop, where you can find all sorts of unique treats and gifts.

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.

Sunday mornings during term time

Sunday Club

Our Sunday Club is held in the Water Tower at 11am on Sundays during term time. Children aged between 0 and 13 are very welcome to join us whilst the 11am Eucharist service takes place. 

Parents/carers must stay with children who are under school age. Meet in the North Transept at the start of the service. No booking required. 

Other highlights

Rebuilt after the fire of 1174, the Quire is the first Gothic building in England.

Its French architect, William of Sens, fell from scaffolding when inspecting the blue central roof boss.

The building work was finished by his young assistant, who was known as William the Englishman.

Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince, was the eldest son of King Edward III and father of King Richard II. 

One of England’s best known military leaders, his victory over the French at the Battle of Crécy made him very popular.

He died in 1376, one year before his father.

Dating back to the 13th century, this is the ceremonial enthronement chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Named after the first Archbishop of Canterbury, St Augustine, the chair is made of Petworth marble.

The chair replaces an older one which was destroyed in the fire of 1174.

Canterbury’s role as one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage centres is inextricably linked to the murder of its most famous Archbishop, Thomas Becket, in 1170.

When, after a long-lasting dispute, King Henry II is said to have exclaimed ‘Who will rid me of this low born priest?’, four knights set off for Canterbury and murdered Thomas here in the place we now call the Martyrdom.

In the Cloister, look up to see beautiful carvings of heraldic shields and fascinating faces and animals.

Today, our team of stonemasons conserve the work of their medieval colleagues, but also create new carvings as intricate and beautiful as these are.

The Cloister and Chapter House were at the centre of monastic life. The Cloister connected the different parts of the monastery, and the Chapter House was used by the monks to assemble daily to discuss day-to-day matters and to read a chapter of Benedictine rule.

Explore our latest stories

If you look, of the millions who have visited and worked here, many have left a trace to be seen. 

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.

Stay in the loop

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