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Tickets and opening times

We can’t wait to welcome you to Canterbury Cathedral. Tickets can be booked online or are available to buy on the day at our visitor centre. Please check our website prior to your visit as opening times may be subject to change.

Monday to Saturday 09.00 - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00)

Sunday 11.30* - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00)
*Between 11.30-12.30, access is available to the Cathedral grounds and Shop only. The Cathedral church opens at 12.30.

 

 

Adult

£17.00

Our standard visitor ticket is valid for 12 months, meaning you can re-visit the Cathedral as often as you want during that time at no extra cost.

Children (aged 17 and under)

Free

Children go FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. (Max 2 children per paying adult; does not apply to group bookings or school visits). Children must be accompanied at all times.

 

Canterbury Students

Free

Students studying full-time at local universities - Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Kent, University for the Creative Arts - enjoy FREE entry with their student ID.

English Heritage Members

20% discount on visitor entry

  • Not valid with other promotions or offers.
  • Discount applies to tickets bought on the door at our Visitor Centre only. Discount is not available for online booking. Standard price admission tickets cannot be refunded and exchanged for discounted tickets.
  • Valid until 31 March 2024. T&Cs apply.

Cathedral Pass

Locals can enjoy unlimited visits for the equivalent of just 10p per month!

You may be eligible for a Cathedral Pass if you:

  • work in the old city of Canterbury
  • live within 4 miles of Bell Harry tower, including within The Precincts
  • are a member of the Cathedral Congregation
  • are immediate family of a Cathedral staff member
  • are a member of any church in the diocese (on the parish electoral roll or equivalent)

Our Cathedral Pass cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions or offers.

Apply for The Cathedral Pass

Event calendar

Have a look at the range of events Canterbury Cathedral has on offer below.

 

 

What's on

There’s something for everyone – see what exciting events are currently taking place.

See what's on

Service times

Daily Eucharist   08:00
Lunchtime Eucharist   12:30 (Wednesdays and Feast Days only)
Daily Choral Evensong or Said Evening Prayer with Organ Meditation*   17:30
Sunday Choral Eucharist*  11:00
All are welcome and there is no charge to attend a service. *Live streamed online.

Services

Online worship

Every day the Cathedral’s services are broadcast on our YouTube channel. It’s perfect for when you are unable to be here in person. 

Explore 

Find us

We can't wait to welcome you to the Cathedral

Monday to Saturday 09.00 - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00)
Sunday 11.30 - 17.00 (last admission at 16.00)

Between 11.30-12.30, access is available to the Cathedral ground and Shop only. the Cathedral church opens at 12.30.

Address

Cathedral House
11 The Precincts
Canterbury
CT1 2EH
United Kingdom

Parking 

Parking in the Cathedral grounds is only available for Blue Badge holders, subject to limited availability and prior arrangement. There are several public car parks nearby. 

Find out more

Regular worship times

For more than 1,400 years God has been worshipped in Canterbury Cathedral. There’s history in every chime of our bells, and passion in every note sang by our choir. 


Whether you need a quiet time to reflect, are seeking comfort, or wish to introduce your loved ones to faith, you are warmly invited to join our worship and services at Canterbury Cathedral.
Matins

07.30 Monday - Friday

09.15 Weekends and Bank Holidays

 
Daily Eucharist 08.00  

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and Counsel

12:00-13:00 Fridays, in The Holy Innocents Chapel (subject to change around events)

Outside of these time, Chaplains are always available should you want to speak with them.

 
Lunchtime Eucharist 12.30 (Wednesdays and Feast Days only)  
Daily Choral Evensong or Said Evening Prayer with Organ Meditation* 17.30 Monday - Sunday  
Sunday Choral Eucharist* 11.00 Sunday  

All are welcome and there is no charge to attend a service.

*Live streamed online.

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"The Cathedral has always been a place of refuge for me, peaceful and spiritual"

Ruth

Our services explained

Morning Prayer (Matins)

Morning Prayer is a service of prayer and praise to begin the day. A simple, said service which lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Choral Evensong

Regular evening service Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (subject to change)

As the day begins with Morning Prayer, the day ends with an evening service of prayer and praise, using the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer. This is normally sung by the Cathedral Choir and the services lasts about 40 minutes.

When the members of the Cathedral Choir are taking a holiday, Evensong is usually sung by a visiting choir, but occasionally is replaced by said Evening Prayer. 

Said Evening Prayer with Organ Meditation

Our regular Thursday evening service (subject to change)

As the day begins with Morning Prayer, the day ends with an evening service of prayer and praise, using the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer. This service comprises of said prayer with organ meditation, and lasts about 40 minutes.

Daily Eucharist

In this service, which is also known as Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Mass we give thanks over bread and wine for all that Jesus had done and continues to do for us and remember the meal Jesus shared with his disciples on the night before he died.

We have a said Eucharist service every day at 08.00 hrs and also at 12.30 hrs on Wednesdays and other special days in the church's calendar. The service lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Sunday Eucharist

On Sundays, we have a Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion at 08.00 hrs and Sung Eucharist at 11.00 hrs.

The Sunday Sung Eucharist is a celebration of Holy Communion with beautiful hymns and songs, a choir, and usually a sermon. The service lasts for about an hour and 15 minutes.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and Counsel

On Fridays, a priest is available for The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and Counsel, in The Holy Innocents Chapel, 12:00-13:00 (subject to change around events).

This healing ministry of receiving God's loving forgiveness helps us to make a fresh start in our lives. Through the ministry of the priest we may also receive advice and counsel to help us overcome those sins that draw us away from God.

Sunday mornings during term time

Sunday Club

Our Sunday Club is held in the Water Tower at 11am on Sundays during term time. Children aged between 0 and 13 are very welcome to join us whilst the 11am Eucharist service takes place. 

Parents/carers must stay with children who are under school age. Meet in the North Transept at the start of the service. No booking required. 

Access for Services

The Cathedral is a medieval building on several levels and arrangements vary depending on the area used or the format of the service. Our Music Lists and Events Calendar includes details of the service locations.

Large print copies of Orders of Service are usually available; please ask the Virgers or Stewards on arrival.

Advance notice is preferred so that we can best accommodate you, especially for special events, but staff and service stewards will always do their best to make suitable arrangements for anyone attending a service or event.

To help us plan seating arrangements in advance, please contact us:

Tel: +44(0)1227 762862 (Cathedral House Reception) during normal office hours.
Email: [email protected].


Contact the Visits Office for up-to-date service information:
Tel: +44 (0) 1227 865279
Email: [email protected]

 

Ticketed concerts, services and other events

Please inform the box office of any accessibility requirements prior, so that seating arrangements can be arranged. For example, if attending in a wheelchair or bringing a pram, seats can be removed to accommodate, and grouped seating can be allocated.

Help during services of worship

Holy Communion

If you are unable to go up to the altar for Communion during a service, please speak with one of our stewards before the service starts. They will be happy to make arrangements for you.

 

Large-print service sheets

Large-print service sheets are available from our virgers or Stewards on request.

 

Induction Loop

An Induction Loop for people who are hard of hearing has been installed in the Nave, Quire and Crypt for use during services. Hearing aid users should adjust their aid to T.

Keeping you safe

Did you know that Canterbury Cathedral has its own Constabulary?

Our officers are here 24/7 to protect this special site, and to ensure the safety of all who come to visit and worship at the Cathedral.

Online worship

Service live stream times

Daily Choral Evensong 17.30

Sunday Choral Eucharist 11.00

The services are broadcast on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel. To receive notifications when new videos are available, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Send a prayer

If you are unable to attend the Cathedral in person, we invite you to email your prayers for inclusion in our daily worship via [email protected]

Services FAQs

No.

Yes. All baptised Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

Yes. Restrictions on singing no longer apply. Scientific research has shown that singing is no more risky than speaking at a similar volume.

Yes.

Yes. There are a number of stands within the Cathedral where you can light a candle.

With every child and vulnerable adult that enters Canterbury Cathedral we have a duty of care and responsibility which we take seriously. We have policies in place to ensure we follow the principles for the whole Church of England. You can find our independent safeguarding audit here.

Yes, we welcome any support 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.

Parking is available for Blue Badge holders only, subject to limited availability. Please use the public car parks within the city.

Services and Music List

Our Services and Music List gives details of the music performed at Cathedral services, as well as names of choirs, preachers and where the service will take place.

Stay in the loop

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