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.

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

*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.

What Covid safety measures are in place?
From 24 February 2022, in line with the ‘Living with Covid’ plan:

• The Government suggests that you consider wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet.
• Adults and children who test positive are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
• As a courtesy to others, please be mindful of personal space when in busy areas of the Cathedral, Shop or Lodge.

Canterbury Cathedral will continue to provide hand sanitiser stations* and an enhanced cleaning regime in busier areas.

* With thanks to Allchurches Trust for grant funding towards the cost of hand sanitiser stations and other PPE measures.

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.

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.