‘All that is made’: Contemplating Creation with Julian of Norwich

An opportunity to reflect on the beauty of creation and our place within it, through the writings of Julian of Norwich.

This quiet day is led by Canon Emma and held in the Jesus Chapel, in the Eastern Crypt, with an opportunity to reflect in the peaceful space of All Saints Chapel and the Quiet garden in No 15.

The event is free but donations are kindly accepted.

Join us at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge for a fascinating illustrated talk by Cressida Williams, Cathedral Archivist about ‘A history of Canterbury Cathedral in 20 objects’. Cressida will provide a potted history of the Cathedral told through some of the fascinating items from its collections

The talk will take place in the Lodge’s AV Theatre, followed by a full afternoon tea to finish, in the Refectory Restaurant.

£25 per person (10% discount for Friends of Canterbury Cathedral).

Monday-Friday, 15:30-16:30 (until 27 September)

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!

£15 per person. Cathedral admission not included. Over 16s only.

Bookable on the day only - Book at our Visitor Centre.

Please read full tour information and restrictions before booking.
You will be required to sign a disclaimer on the day, to confirm you have understood and will abide by the tour guidelines and restrictions.

Tues 24 – Sat 28 September, slots between 18:30-21:30

Come to Canterbury Cathedral to experience the splendour of Coronations and the Crown Jewels in this amazing new immersive light show.

Crown and Coronation will bring the spectacle, significance and shared experience of Coronations to life, demonstrating the pivotal role of the Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection, within the ceremony.

Tickets: £16

Tuesdays and Thursdays (September-October), 11:15-12:30*

Discover Canterbury Cathedral’s rich royal heritage while exploring some of its most famous places, and hear stories of royal pomp and ceremony.

From the patronage bestowed by Edward the Black Prince and King Henry IV, to the assistance lavished by King Charles II following the restoration of the monarchy, Canterbury Cathedral has often enjoyed a special relationship with the crown, reflected in the royal tombs and regal artefacts which can be found within.

£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.

* On Thursday 24 October this tour will run 14:15-15:30

Join us for our short step-free tours, in a smaller group, delivered at a gentle pace.

The tour is split into two 40-minute sessions, with a comfort break in between.

£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.

Please note, there is no discount available if you wish to join one session of the tour only.

Uncover the full story of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury 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. Discover how the story was re-told in stained glass.

£5 per person, plus admission charge.

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. You will be introduced to 20th Century glass reflecting stories of hope, and meet a host of famous faces immortalised in glass along the way.

£5 per person, plus admission charge.

Our Cathedral Library collection includes books from the early decades of printing onwards, including books from some of the earliest European printing presses.

The Howley-Harrison Library was rebuilt over the Infirmary Cloister in 1665 and recently restored to its splendid 19th century décor. It is the largest individual collection in the Library, made up of approximately 16,000 books and pamphlets.

Join a guided tour to learn more about the Library and to explore some of the collection close-up.

£8 per person, plus admission charge.

Turn up for a cuppa and a biscuit followed by some sociable singing to put a smile on your face, led by Jamie Rogers, Assistant Director of Music, and our Choral Scholars.

ALL welcome – rusty singers included!

Free to attend but donations welcomed.

14.00-15.00 on the following Mondays:

• 14 October
• 11 November
• 9 December

Discover the strong bond that Canterbury Cathedral has with the United States.

This is the story of centuries of friendship across the Atlantic.

Dates:

• Thanksgiving: 28 November, 11:15-12:30
• Pearl Harbour Memorial Day: 7 December, 11:15-12:30

led by Canon Emma

(Previously 'The Julian Prayer Meetings')

An opportunity to be still in the midst of the business of life and rest in the holiness and peace of this sacred place.

If you are drawn to silent prayer, please join us 18:15-18:45 on:

• Thursday 3 October

These meetings are for people of all denominations, faiths or none who wish to join with others in the practice of silent prayer, resting in the present moment.

The worship of Taizé is based on simple repetitive chants, the reading of scripture and silence.

All our welcome to come and experience this way of praying as we connect with God and one another through sound and silence.

In person only.

This event is free, but donations are kindly accepted.

Friday 4 October, 18:15 in the Quire - after 17:30 Choral Evensong

Free and un-ticketed, with a retiring collection.

Everyone is invited to join us to:

• Set aside time and space to reflect on God in your life.
• Explore ways of praying which are helpful to you.
• Have opportunity for a retreat in daily life.

This is a free event, but donations are gratefully received.

This week of accompanied prayer is organised and led by a Team from Canterbury ‘Weeks of Accompanied Prayer’.

September’s ‘Journeying with Creation’ theme comes to a close with a special service inspired by St Francis, Patron Saint of Animals.

In this short child-friendly service, we welcome creatures great and small, or photos of family pets, all of which have the opportunity to be blessed.

Free and un-ticketed, with a retiring collection.

All animals must be kept on a leash or in a secure carrycase; Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.

Talk and Afternoon Tea

View our new exhibition featuring objects that bring to life some of the stories from the history of the Cathedral, and their royal connections.

Enjoy an illustrated talk by Cressida, Cathedral Archivist, followed by afternoon tea.

£27 per person. Cathedral admission not included.

Pre-booking and pre-payment essential (see full T&Cs).

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB) is well known. But what is the story of the women behind them and on their canvasses?

There were many: Elizabeth Siddal, Fanny Cornforth, Annie Miller, Fanny Waugh, Jane Morris, May Morris, Georgiana Burne-Jones, Maria Zambaco, Christina Rossetti, and Effie Gray to name just some. Many were talented artists in their own right.

Brenda Tate-Lovery, former Open University lecturer and Friend, will reveal to Friends some of the stories behind the names.

£10 Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, £15 non-members. Includes tea and coffee.

Experience this special themed tour.

Uncover the lives of the queens, noblewomen and more humble artists and makers who have all helped shape Canterbury Cathedral.

£5 per person, plus admission charge.

18 October 2024 – 15 February 2025

Cross-Currents is an installation of hundreds of beautiful, delicate hand-crafted boats embarked on their own journey through the vast architecture of Canterbury Cathedral, each fragile boat symbolizing the transient passage of the life of an individual.

Participating in the creative process is very much a part of this exhibition; visitors and the community will have an opportunity to participate in the Cross-Currents voyage through the practice of creating a boat themselves to accompany the fleet.

*This exhibition is included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends Card. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply). No need to book.

Saturday 19 October, 19:00 in the Cathedral Nave

Joby Talbot’s modern masterpiece, Path of Miracles was Tenebrae’s first major commission in 2005 and has been captivating audiences worldwide ever since.

The work is based on the most enduring route of Catholic pilgrimage - the great Pilgrimage to Santiago.

The four movements are titled with the names of the four main staging posts of the ‘Camino Frances’ - the central axis of a network of pilgrimage routes to Santiago. This unique, dramatic work, ‘an evocative odyssey’ (The Times), showcases the voices of Tenebrae’s world-class singers.

Tickets: £23 - £34, Listening Seats £15

Sponsored by Craven Street Wealth.

Image credit: Sim Canetty-Clarke

Thursday 24 October, 18:30 & 20:45 in the Cathedral Crypt

Secret Byrd celebrates the 400-year legacy of William Byrd, one of England’s finest composers, in an immersive performance by candlelight featuring The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork, created and directed by Bill Barclay and produced by Concert Theatre Works.

Byrd was a recusant Catholic writing secret Masses to be sung by worshippers during the Reformation. These Masses were held in people’s homes with smuggled priests and hidden Catholic artifacts.

This extraordinary theatrical concert recreates the sense of danger of these secret gatherings in the atmospheric setting of Canterbury Cathedral’s Eastern Crypt.

Audiences rove freely among the costumed artists feeling the original hand-made part-books, all illuminated by candlelight.

Tickets: £36 - Capacity for this event is limited.

This roving event will require audience members to stand and move during the immersive performance. However, there will be chairs available for those that need them.

As part of our theme of ‘Journeys’, join us for a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral.

Suitable for all ages, you can make your pilgrimage as long or as short as you wish - a gentle stroll from Westgate Gardens or the full 10 miles from St Mary’s Church, Chilham.

Whichever you choose, we would love for you to be involved as we journey together, following in the footsteps of generations of pilgrims.

1 - 3 November 2024

Join our clergy for a celebration of the Kingdom Season at Canterbury Cathedral.

On All Saints’ Day we gather to celebrate all saints of the Church, both known and unknown; the men and women in whose lives the Church as a whole has seen the grace of God powerfully at work. It is an opportunity to give thanks for that grace, and for the wonderful ends to which it shapes a human life; it is a time to be encouraged by the example of the saints and to recall that sanctity may grow in the ordinary circumstances, as well as the extraordinary crises, of human living.

On this residential retreat, we invite you to join us for a special programme of worship and reflection, focusing on some of the saints of Canterbury.

See full programme

Saturday 2 November, 19:30 in the Cathedral Nave

The Canterbury Festival is delighted to close this year’s Festival and mark its Ruby Jubilee with Canterbury Choral Society, who also celebrate Conductor Richard Cooke’s 40th year at the helm.

They will be joined by the Meridian Sinfonia to share its sheer beauty and greatness with a Festival audience, in the spectacular setting of the Cathedral Nave.

Tickets: £23 - £34, Listening Seats £15

Sponsored by South Canterbury and Fenwick Canterbury.

Venue: Canterbury Cathedral Lodge

Celebrating craft beer at its best, this brand-new festival hosted by Time & Tide Brewing will shine a spotlight on some of the country’s most exciting breweries, showcasing the best that independent craft beer has to offer.

A selection of beers ranging from hoppy IPAs to sours and imperial stouts will be available, with some wild fermentation thrown in for good measure.

Tickets: £15

Saturday 16 November, 10:00-16:00 in the Community Studio

Following the success of our previous classes, Helen Stevens, RSN Tutor will lead the class to stitch a stunning Christmas tree decoration inspired by the medieval glass of Canterbury Cathedral, which features the ornately decorated boots of Becket pilgrims.

You will also have the opportunity to see the stunning glass window depicting the pilgrimage and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the Stained Glass Studio with Director, Léonie Seliger.

This event includes entrance to the Cathedral after the class, until 5pm.

The class cost is £170 per student and includes all materials and necessary equipment to complete the project.

This exclusive project is part of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral's unique association with the Royal School of Needlework.

Canon Christopher Irvine, former Canon Librarian at Canterbury and now Honorary Teaching Fellow at St Augustine’s College of Theology, will look at three extraordinary pieces of contemporary sculpture in our Cathedral: Stephen Cox’s altar and water stoup in St Anselm’s Chapel and the Nave, and Anthony Gormley’s ‘Transport’ in the Crypt.

Learn how and why they were commissioned, wonder at their materiality and design, and see how they connect with some of the key figures in the story of our Cathedral.

£10 Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, £15 non-members. Includes tea and coffee.

This event is supported by The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 256575).

Dr Tim Naish, our Canon Librarian, will lead a reflection each evening on a poem and passage of scripture, with an opportunity for questioning and group discussion.

The group is free, but any donation you may wish to make to the mission and ministry of the Cathedral will be warmly received.

Booking essential - Book to be sent a zoom link. It will be the same link for every week.