Visiting with children

Where history happens and memories are made.

The Cathedral offers a perfect day out for families of all ages, with plenty for your young explorers to discover.

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.

Download Colouring Sheets

Book your tickets now

Tickets start from £18.00 - valid for a year, with unlimited return visits included - and Kids Go Free every day! (T&Cs apply)

Get free entry with a Cathedral Pass or Friends Card, plus 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.

Book online for fast-track entry

Dive into history with our fun season trails and activities!

(Available during school holidays and some weekends)

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, talks, tours and special events (unless otherwise stated).
Dog bins are available.

Please note, in some locations, dogs of any kind are not permitted; please check full information and T&Cs before booking/attending.

If you have any questions, please contact our Visits Team at [email protected]

Cathedral Lodge Lounge

Only assistance dogs are permitted in the Lounge - our on-site café - during the café opening hours (10am-4pm).

Other well-behaved dogs are allowed in the Refectory garden, when open to diners in the spring and summer months (weather permitting), during the café opening hours.

Worship for Children and Young People

Children and young people are a valued part of our worshipping community and there are a variety of ways for them to get involved and for families to find support.

Livestreaming

Please be aware that our regular services - 17:30 Choral Evensong and 11:00 Sunday Sung Eucharist - as well as many special services are livestreamed on our YouTube channel, and these recordings remain available to view afterwards.

Although there are no intentional close ups of members of the congregation, yourself and your children may be seen.

We welcome the gentle noise of young children into our worship, but recognise that in a long service they may also need space to move around or make a little more noise.

Our stewards can advise you on a good place to sit, where you can both see what is happening, but can also move around and escape should children become very restless.

We have a limited range of quiet toys, books and drawing resources which children are also welcome to make use of.

Food and drink are not allowed in the Cathedral, but you are welcome to breast or bottle feed. Please be aware we do not have toilet facilities within the Cathedral itself.

Children's Church runs most Sundays, but please check dates below.

As part of our Sunday morning Eucharist, we invite children aged 5-11* to join us for from 10.30am in the Community Studio (see schedule), where through story, songs, craft and games we worship together before joining the rest of the church family in the Cathedral for communion.

Upcoming dates:

1 February - Candlemas Christingle Making
8 February

Not half term weekends (15 and 22 February)

1, 8, 15. 22 & 29 March

More dates to be added

Registration and refreshments from 10.30am allow time for children to settle before parents/carers head over to the Cathedral returning to pick up children during the Peace.

Children’s Church is free but with a suggested donation of £1 per family to contribute to our running costs.

*Under 5s are welcome to attend Children’s Church, but must be supervised by a parent/carer at all times.

We encourage young people to play an active part in our worshipping community.

There are opportunities to join the serving team, lead prayers or do readings and to develop as leaders within Children’s Church.

We are currently looking at what else we might offer to support the young people of our Cathedral community so watch this space for more information over the coming months.

What will they discover?

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.