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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 2025. 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

 

Planning your visit? Remember to check our closures.

ALVA figures show Canterbury is the fourth most-visited cathedral in the UK

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), whose members include the UK's most popular, iconic and important museums, galleries, palaces, castles, cathedrals, zoos, historic houses, heritage sites, gardens and leisure attractions, released the 2022 visitor figures of its members today (Friday 17 March 2023) at the start of English Tourism Week and during Scottish Tourism Month. 

The figures reveal a positive story of visitors returning to UK sites in strong numbers, but demonstrate that many more visitors – including those from overseas – are still needed in order to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The total number of visits to ALVA sites in 2022 was 123.4million, which was a 69% increase on the previous year (73.1 million) but represented a decline of 23% on the 161.2 million visits in 2019 to the top 349 ALVA sites. 

According to the ALVA figures, Canterbury Cathedral is the fourth most-visited cathedral in the UK and one of the Top 10 most-visited ALVA sites in the South East, and its visitor numbers show a similar trend:

  • In 2022, the Cathedral saw a 64% increase in visitors compared to 2021, but this is still nearly a third (30%) below its pre-pandemic visitor numbers.
  • Although this performance in 2022 is broadly similar to that reported by ALVA members as a whole, the figures demonstrate that Canterbury Cathedral has been harder hit and is recovering at a slower pace than the average.

Canterbury Cathedral is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site but typically receives no funding from Government or the Church of England. It costs over £20,000 per day to maintain and operate the unique site, and visitor income is the Cathedral’s main source of revenue.

Celebrating the ALVA figures, the Dean of Canterbury, The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, said

“We are thankful that so many people have visited in the past year but are very aware of the ongoing work of recovery - there is a long way to go and much to do. Our volunteers and staff love to welcome visitors and pilgrims. We also rely on them as do so many others in the city and neighbourhood. Visitors help to ensure our community flourishes once more. They help us to continue to be good stewards of this place which so many love and from which so many gain inspiration for life, for faith and for a diverse and cohesive community.

We have lots of exciting events planned for this year, and we are planning that 2023 will see our visitor numbers continue to grow. Let’s all encourage people to visit.”

 

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