106th Archbishop of Canterbury Announced
We are delighted that Sarah Mullally has been announced as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman be appointed in the role’s 1,400-year-history. Read more...
From remarkable historical objects to fascinating reads in the Archives and Library, Canterbury Cathedral has an abundance of collections to pique your interest.
Things to discover
Exhibitions
What can you discover in our incredible range of exhibitions? Take a look at what’s on before you decide to visit to make sure you don’t miss out on something spectacular.
Historical objects
The Cathedral is full of paintings, sculptures, church silver, vestments, altar frontals, stained glass and much more. See the significant treasures and renowned artefacts for yourself as you take a walk around the Cathedral.
Book your tickets
Tickets start from £18.00 or free if you have a Cathedral Pass or Friends Card.
Other concessions available, with a valid proof of eligibility.
Group visits and school visits must be booked separately; KIDS GO FREE offer does not apply to group or school visits.
Fascinating facts
650
For nearly 650 years, the Black Prince’s funerary achievements have been held at Canterbury Cathedral, and are now on permanent display at our exhibition in the Crypt.
8,000
The archives of the Cathedral contains around 8,000 charters, including 30 that date from before the Norman Conquest!
50,000
The Cathedral Library contains about 50,000 books, and holds 40 incunables (books or fragments of books printed before 1501).
Our Archives and Collections contain over 200,000 documents - the oldest of which dates from the late 8th century – and about 3,000 objects.
Talks and tours
Our free* 15-minute Mini Talks offer a a bite-sized exploration of the Cathedral’s history, and guided tours are the perfect way to discover the Cathedral’s amazing history, spaces, and secrets.
We also host a range of paid talks, and run various free* themed talks, tours and open days through the year.
Please note, all talks and tours have a max. capacity; pre-booking is recommended where possible. Please arrive early, as talks/tours will start promptly; if you arrive late, you may not be able to join the talk/tour. Please read individual talk or tour information and T&Cs before booking/attending.
Only assistance dogs are permitted at services, talks, tours and special events; however in some locations, dogs of any kind are not permitted, so please check full information and T&Cs before booking/attending.
If you have any questions, please contact our Visits Team at [email protected]
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Kids go FREE everyday! (T&Cs apply); does not apply to group bookings or school visits.
'The Inside Story' Tour
WEEKLY Monday - Saturday 10:30, 12:00 and 14:00 and Sundays 13:00
Discover the story of Canterbury Cathedral through its soaring architecture, beautiful medieval stained glass and the history that helped make and shape the Cathedral.
From the Cathedral’s origins in the 6th century, the tour will encompass 1,400 years of history - with tales of royalty, clergy and everyday craftsmen who made the Cathedral what it is today - set amid a background of wars, political struggle and tales of bravery.
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
FREE* Mini Talks
DAILY Between 10:00-16:00, various intervals
Listen to a bite-sized exploration of the Cathedral’s history with a free 15-minute Mini Talk, delivered by our knowledgeable team.
A great chance to discover more about the 1,400 years of history of our magnificent Cathedral - from the Black Prince and the turbulent Thomas Becket, to our Historic Graffiti and marvellous Stained Glass.
Take a pew and learn something new!
Talks subject to availability on the day. Ask at our Visitor Centre for times.
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Kids go FREE everyday! (T&Cs apply); does not apply to group bookings or school visits.
Various dates throughout the year
FREE* Family Tours
Next tours: Monday 27 - Friday 31 October, 11:05 & 13:30
Bring your little historians to Canterbury Cathedral to hear stories of Becket and the Black Prince, Monks and Miracles, Tombs and Towers.
These tours are aimed at children aged 6 - 13 but are suitable for the whole family to enjoy!
Keep an eye on our Event Calendar and socials for future tour dates
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply); does not apply to group bookings or school visits.
Reflective Guided Pilgrimages
WEEKLY on a Thursday (please check dates), 16:30-17:00
Join us after visiting hours for a short guided pilgrimage around the Cathedral, stopping at places of significance for reflection and prayer.
Torin Brown, our Pilgrim Officer, will lead a pilgrimage around the outside of the Cathedral, visiting places of symbolism and structures of meaning, to reflect upon our lives and our world. It is a pilgrimage of prayerful intent.
We will walk in silence between reflections of meaning, in an exercise of mindfulness, and in preparation for the evening service.
All are welcome to join us afterwards for our evening service at 17:30, followed by a blessing for those who wish to attend.
Free to attend; but donations gratefully received.
Stained Glass Windows Tour
Dates in October - December
Did you know that some stained-glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral are amongst the oldest in the world?
Join us on a guided tour, offering an introduction to the history and range of stained glass found at the Cathedral, from medieval to modern.
Discover richly-detailed Bible-story windows, explore Miracle Windows and see the oldest stained glass in England.
Dates:
- Fridays 10, 17, 24 & 31 October, 11:15-12:30
- Fridays 7, 14 & 28 November, 11:15-12:30
Festive Stained Glass Windows Tours: Fridays 5, 12 & 19 December, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
‘The St Thomas Becket Story’ Tour
Dates in October - December
Uncover the full story of St Thomas Becket in the Cathedral, where echoes of his life and legacy resound.
Explore the places in the Cathedral associated with the life and death of the renowned saint and martyr, from the location of his shocking murder in 1170; to the site of his first tomb, where over 700 miracles were reported; and discover how the story was re-told in stained glass.
Dates:
- Wednesdays 8, 15, 22 & 29 October, 11:15-12:30
- Wednesdays 5, 12, 19 & 26 November, 11:15-12:30
- Wednesdays 17 & 31 December, 11:15-12:30
- SPECIAL TOUR: Mon 29 December (The Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket), 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
Gentle Tours
Dates in October - December
Join us for our step-free tours, delivered at a gentle pace, in a smaller group; split into two parts, with a comport break.
Hear the story of Thomas Becket, our most famous Archbishop, and see the site of his murder and feast your eyes on some of our oldest stained glass windows.
Explore the Quire and a ‘Cadaver tomb’, contrast medieval and dramatic modern windows and find out why there is a cannonball in an Archbishop’s tomb!
Dates:
- Thursdays 16 & 30 October, between 14:15-16:00
- Thursdays 13 & 27 November, between 14:15-16:00
- Thursday 11 December, between 14:15-16:00
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
American Connections Tour
Dates in September - November (New dates added regularly)
Discover the strong bond that Canterbury Cathedral has with the United States.
This is the story of centuries of friendship across the Atlantic.
Dates:
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Mon 13 October, 11:15-12:30
- Fri 24 October, 11:15-12:30
- Veterans Day: Tues 11 November, 11:15-12:30
- Thanksgiving: Thurs 27 November, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Historic Graffiti Tour
Dates in October - December
On this tour, members of the Cathedral’s Historic Graffiti Team will shine a light on a selection of the fascinating historic graffiti that can be found throughout the Cathedral.
Focusing on the Eastern Crypt, Quire and Trinity Chapel, a selection of different types of historic graffiti from different periods will be revealed; along with the very different motivations in the past for making marks on walls.
Dates:
- Tuesday 14 October, 12:15-13:30
- Thursday 23 October, 14:15-15:30
- Tuesday 11 November, 14:15-15:30
- Tuesday 9 December. 12:13-13:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Cathedral Library Tours
Dates in October - December
Our Cathedral Library collection includes books from the early decades of printing onwards, including books from some of the earliest European printing presses.
Join a guided tour to learn more about the Library and to explore some of the collection close-up.
Dates:
- Thursday 9 October, 14:00-14:45
- Thursday 13 November, 14:00-14:45
- Thursday 4 December, 14:00-14:45
£8 per person. Cathedral admission not included.
Pre-booking required. Not suitable for under 12s.
SPECIAL THEMED TOUR
'Women at Canterbury Cathedral' Tour
Dates in September & December
Canterbury’s story is not just shaped by monks and monarchs.
Uncover the lives of the remarkable queens, noblewomen and more humble artists and makers who have all helped shape Canterbury Cathedral.
Dates:
- Tuesday 2 December, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
Canterbury’s UNESCO Sites tour: Foundations of Faith
Dates in July & August
These full day tours run 09:30-16:30
Discover more about the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain on this unique fully-guided tour experience which takes you through the heartland of historic Canterbury.
Delve deeper into history with a guided tour at each location, and enjoy a sandwich lunch in beautiful gardens overlooking Canterbury Cathedral - all included.
Dates:
- Tuesday 29 July
- Friday 1 August
- Thursday 14 August
£59.95 per person
Pre-booking required.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE LODGE
‘Climb the Corona’ Tour and Afternoon Tea
Mondays 1 & 8 September - 13:00, 14:00 & 15:00
Explore the Corona Chapel, usually closed to the public, discover the tombs of Cardinal Reginald Pole and Archbishop Temple, and view the wonderful stained glass windows in more detail, before climbing the 95 steps to the top of the Corona Tower itself to experience amazing views across the city in all directions.
This tour offers a unique opportunity to see the city of Canterbury differently – as well as some hidden stone carvings atop the tower.
Followed by a full afternoon tea, in the Refectory Restaurant.
£40 per person
All events at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge have limited availability and must be pre-booked.
Full pre-payment will be taken at the time of booking and is non-refundable, unless we are able to re-sell places booked.
Canterbury Cathedral
Heritage Open Days
Between 12 - 21 September
Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate the country’s fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.
SOLD OUT
NEW EXCLUSIVE TOUR
Behind the Scenes: Book and Paper Conservation in Action
Tuesday 14 October, 11:00-12:30 in the Conservation Studio
A rare chance to see behind the scenes of the Archives and Library, in our conservation and bookbinding studio.
Learn about the skills and techniques required to repair fragile paper, parchment, bindings and seals, and view some fine and rare examples of bindings from our collections.
£25 per person. Cathedral admission not included.
Pre-booking required; not suitable for under 18s.
Regrettably, due to the location, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, and is not suitable for those with limited mobility.
SPECIAL SEASONAL TOUR
‘Christmas at the Cathedral’ Tour
Dates:
- Thursdays 4, 11 & 18 December, 11:15-12:30
- Monday 22 December, 11:15-12:30
Learn how Christmas was celebrated by the Benedictine monks here in the Middle Ages, with pittances and a compulsory bath; how the origins of a popular Christmas carol can be traced in a stained glass window in the Crypt; and even how the Puritans banned Christmas in 1647, resulting in Canterbury’s infamous Plum Pudding Riots!
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
SPECIAL SEASONAL TOUR
Festive Stained Glass Windows Tour
Fridays 5, 12 & 19 December, 11:15-12:30
Did you know that some stained-glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral are amongst the oldest in the world?
Join us on a guided tour, offering an introduction to the history and range of stained glass found at the Cathedral, from medieval to modern, with a focus on our windows depicting the Nativity story at this special time of year.
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre on the day of your visit, or email [email protected] to reserve your space.
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