Worship & Music
For more than 1,400 years God has been worshipped in Canterbury Cathedral. With its roots in the Benedictine tradition, the ongoing daily pattern of morning and evening prayer and Eucharist (Holy Communion) continues the prayers and praises of countless generations.
Our current guidance on face coverings
Face coverings are currently required by law in most indoor settings, including places of worship*.- The Cathedral: In line with government guidance, face coverings must be worn* whilst inside the Cathedral.
- Shop and Visitor Centre: In line with government guidance, face coverings must be worn* whilst inside the Cathedral’s Shop and Visitor Centre building.
- Canterbury Cathedral Lodge: In line with government guidance, face coverings must be worn* whilst inside public areas of the hotel.
- Provision of hand sanitiser stations
- The wearing of face coverings when in close proximity to others
- Delivery of an enhanced cleaning regime in busier areas.
- Congregational singing is allowed.
- You are not required to seat 2m away from others, although you may wish to space yourself from others and we ask you to respect the wishes of others for space when you choose where to sit.
People who are symptomatic
Anyone feeling unwell or showing symptoms of COVID-19 should not visit or attend services of worship due to the risk that they may pose to others. Remote participation should be considered, for example by watching our daily online videos.We are delighted to welcome congregations to worship within the Cathedral. Please see below for details of our in-person services.
Worship at Canterbury Cathedral
Regular Worship
| Daily Morning Prayer† | 07.30 (Mon-Fri); 09.15 (Sat-Sun & Bank Holidays) |
| Daily Eucharist | 08.00 (On Sunday this is BCP Communion) |
| Lunchtime Eucharist | 12.30 (Wednesdays and Feast Days only) |
| Daily Choral Evensong** | 17.30 |
| Sacred Space | 19.00 (Wednesdays for Students & Young Adults) |
| Sunday Choral Eucharist* | 11.00 |
†Between 25 December and 3 January Morning Prayer is at 9.15am every day
*Our Choral Services are livestreamed and available on our website and via YouTube. If you attend these services you may be seen on camera, and by attending these services you give your permission to appear in this way.
All are welcome and there is no charge to attend a service. See the daily list for the locations of the services.
Worship FAQs
Do I need to book to attend a service of worship?
No.
Should I wear a face covering?
Yes. From Friday 10 December 2021, in line with government guidance, face coverings must be worn* whilst inside the Cathedral.
*You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to): young children under the age of 11; not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability; if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress.
NHS Test and Trace
In line with revised Government advice (21/7/21), visitors and worshippers are encouraged to ‘check in’ when they arrive at the Cathedral, either by scanning the NHS QR code poster via their NHS COVID-19 app or by providing their contact details to our staff. This will support NHS Test and Trace.
Will I be able to take communion at a service?
Yes. Communion will be distributed in one kind only (the bread) and hygiene precautions will be taken during the distribution.
Will I be able to sing as part of the service?
Yes. Restrictions on singing no longer apply. Scientific research has shown that singing is no more risky than speaking at a similar volume.
Will there be Orders of Service available?
Yes.
Will I be able to light a candle?
Yes. Votive candles will be available at the west end of the Nave during Nave services. A prayer meditation is also available (text and audio) on our website to help guide your prayer.
Will the toilets be open?
Yes. Our public toilets in the Precincts will be open 10.00-18.30 daily. Toilets will be checked regularly.
Is parking available?
Parking is available for Blue Badge holders only, subject to limited availability. No other parking on site is possible. Please use the public car parks within the City.
People who are symptomatic
Anyone feeling unwell or showing symptoms of COVID-19 should not visit or attend services of worship due to the risk that they may pose to others. Remote participation should be considered, for example by watching our daily online videos.
Can I donate to support the Cathedral?
Yes, we welcome any support for our ministry and the stewardship of the Cathedral. You can donate online, give at one of the contactless donation stands in the Cathedral, or make a cash donation into one of our collection boxes. The typical donation is £5.
Bag searches
Please note that bag searches may be carried out. To keep delays to a minimum, visitors are asked to avoid bringing large bags or backpacks. The searches are not in response to intelligence of any particular threat relating to Canterbury Cathedral, but we take the security of staff, volunteers, visitors and worshippers very seriously, and we hope this will help reassure all who come to the Cathedral.
Can you help us?
In these unprecedented times we still need your help. Having lost most of our visitor income since the pandemic began, we are faced with huge financial challenges. The Cathedral’s survival now depends on the generosity of people who care about it. A donation of any size will be deeply appreciated. Can you help us? Please click here to donate. You will be supporting the running costs of this special place which has served its community for 1,400 years.
We hope to continue that ministry for years to come. Please consider helping us. Thank you.
Security
The Cathedral takes the safety and security of all our worshippers and visitors very seriously. If you are coming to the Cathedral, please be aware that as a condition of entry we reserve the right to search any bags or luggage on entry. Our Cathedral Constables and Visits Teams are there for your safety, so please do cooperate fully with all security checks and support these vital members of our team as they carry out important work to keep us all safe and sound.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after thorough proper inspection at a designated area set aside for this purpose.
Our bag policy
Regrettably, we do not have a left luggage facility and we would prefer you do not bring large bags into the Cathedral. If you bring any luggage or bags, you must not leave them unattended as they may be treated as suspicious items and could be destroyed.
