Poppy Fields incorporates a collection of fine art projection artworks that reflect on the end of WW1 and WW2, but more importantly look at the hopes and wishes for peace in our world and the future.

The Poppy Fields installation artwork allow viewers to be immersed in poppies as they cascade across the architecture, as if walking amongst the fields at Flanders.

The Second Day is an artistic interpretation in sound and light reflecting upon the battle of the Somme.

The moving piece entitled Falling Leaves reflects the estimated 16 million military personnel from all nations who lost their lives in WW1, each individual leaf falling symbolises every individual life lost.

A Heroes Story is a rolling list of names, a visual symbolic reminder of all those who laid down their lives for our generation.

Imagine Peace is the final son-et-lumiere which reflects upon the tragedy of the past and what it means to us today. Using light and sound this artwork has been created to enable us to reflect and think towards the future, with hope and peace. The artwork takes the viewer on a journey through a peaceful and uplifting ascension. Despite war and conflict the search is really for harmony in humanity.

In this piece the viewer is taken on a profound journey from the ceiling of Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, an artist’s interpretation of heaven, through a kaleidoscopic rainbow of light patterns and images formed through trees and organic shapes. We see a hint to the 1960s and the Peace movement through ‘Flower power’ shapes and colours and a series of doves flying across the sky. The artwork culminates in a spectacular abstract interpretation of the gates of St Peter taking soldiers to their final resting place. The Son-et-lumiere evokes an artist’s image of heaven, hope for the future and through triumphant and uplifting music and animated images projected all around the architecture surrounding the space we are directed towards a moment when we can “Imagine Peace”.

During Poppy Fields there is footage of Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne OBE reading war poetry by authors who wrote from the frontline or during the war, including Wilfred Owen, Charlotte Mews, and William Noel Hodgson.

Poppy Fields has been on tour throughout the UK at the following locations:

Lichfield Cathedral (2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021), Guildford Cathedral (2018), St Albans Cathedral (2018), Christ Church Oxford (2018), Winchester Cathedral (2023) and at The Tower of London (2024).

Viewers said:

“We were amongst the first to see this wonderful exhibition last night...Very moving, a "must see”!

“I can not find the words to express my feelings worthy to give this spectacular display...thank you. The person or persons that created this are truly gifted”.

“Well worth every penny..best value event I have been to in ages”.

“Amazing to see the way light and pictures used to make us think about peace, the utter devastation from the war shown in the silent films, to the continuing effect war and peace has on lives shown in different installations. I look forward to seeing it again”.

The experience involves walking through the Cathedral to view a number of different light and sound projections. Each installation lasts around 5-8 minutes on a continuous loop. The whole experience should take around 45-60 minutes*.

*Please note, the accessible/step-free experience should take around 30-45 minutes, due to a shorter route. See 'Accessibility' below.

This exhibition includes loud sounds, music and moving and flashing images throughout the experience, as well as bright lights and areas of darkness within the Cathedral.

Only bottled water is permitted within the Cathedral and there is strictly no smoking or vaping within the building or the grounds.

Address: Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH

Timeslots

Timeslots are in operation for this event to allow a steady flow of people. Admission to the light and sound exhibition will be from the timeslot you have selected. We have provided a door time 15 minutes prior to your time slot. This will allow time for you to join the correct queue prior to your entry time. Audience members who arrive more than 15 minutes before their allocated time slot will not be admitted to the Cathedral grounds – this is to ensure that crowds can be managed and admitted on time.

Please be aware that this is a very popular event and our team will be working hard to admit visitors as punctually as possible, as such we ask that visitors be patient and work with our stewards, so that everybody can enjoy the event.

Accessibility

We will endeavour to ensure all ticket holders enjoy their experience to the best of our abilities. However, please be aware that the full route is not step-free and includes uneven surfaces.

The Cathedral Nave is fully wheelchair accessible and step-free, with  Stewards will be able to guide you to this section when you enter the grounds, if you are unable to traverse the full route.

The first timeslot of each day at 19:00 offers step-free access and lower audio volume.

Accessible/Step-free Tickets are available for £10 during the 19:00 session; offering a shorter, but fully accessible experience (taking place in the Nave only).

Please be aware that Poppy Fields is an immersive sensory experience, with flashing lights and occasionally loud music throughout. We would advise bringing your own ear defenders if required.

Refunds

Tickets are non-refundable.

Parking

There is no dedicated parking for this event and car parks in Canterbury will be busy.

We encourage visitors to walk or use public transport where possible. 

Parking within the Cathedral grounds is only available for Blue Badge holders, subject to limited availability and by prior arrangement. Please contact our Visits team via [email protected] or +44 (0) 1227 865279 to check availability.

There are a variety of public car parks within the city, many of which are within a short distance to the Cathedral.

Please leave plenty of time to find parking.

Toilets

Toilet facilities (including accessible toilets and baby changing) are located in the Cathedral grounds, towards the south-east end of the Precincts, opposite the War Horse statue.

Please speak with one of our stewards if you need assistance.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to welcoming you.

If you have any questions about your booking or the venue, please get in touch at [email protected] or by calling 01227 865279.