Planned closure: 13th - 15th January 2025
The Cathedral, Cathedral Lodge and Shop will be closed from Monday 13th - Wednesday 15th January 2025 for our Cathedral Staff Training Conference.
Morning and Evening Worship will take place as usual, and St Augustine’s Chapel will be available during the day for private prayer. Check service times
Planning a future visit? Remember to check our opening times and upcoming closures.
The Friends are the Cathedral's fan club, a group of like-minded people who admire the building, its history and the community which surrounds it.
We work together to preserve it, and, with the great generosity of our membership, contribute financially to many vital projects.
The Big FRIENDly Sing!
* SIGN UP TO SING NOW *
Join us for our fourth Big FRIENDly Sing!
Come along and sing Mozart’s Requiem from scratch, conducted by Dr David Newsholme, Director of Music at the Cathedral.
This is a charity event in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 256575).
Why join?
Over the years The Friends have given the equivalent of more than £18 million towards various projects to enhance and preserve Canterbury Cathedral. Becoming a Friend is not only about restoring a beautiful old building; it’s about being a part of a community and forming lasting relationships, one which enjoys many activities and ‘behind the scenes’ events.
Membership Benefits
- Free entry to the Cathedral and its Precincts
- Full annual programme of Friends' events
- New member celebration (which includes a private guided tour)
- 10% discount at the Cathedral Shop and Cathedral Lodge (some exclusions apply)
- Exclusive Friends’ Day each summer
- Monthly Friendly Friday e-newsletters
- Annual Cathedral magazine - view a sample of The Chronicle
- Twice-yearly paper mailings
- Membership badge
- Exclusive Friends’ Day each summer
For more information download The Friends leaflet.
Membership Options
Gift a Friends' Membership
Membership of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral – the Cathedral’s fan club – is the gift that lasts all year.
We work together to preserve the Cathedral, and, with the great generosity of our membership, contribute financially to many vital projects.
Becoming a Friend is not only about restoring a beautiful old building; it’s about being a part of a community and forming lasting relationships.
So, when you gift a membership, you also give the gift of being part of our FRIENDly community!
Friends also benefit from free entry to the Cathedral and its Precincts, access to exclusive trips and events, e-newsletters, a 10% discount in the Cathedral Shop and Cathedral Lodge (some exclusions apply), an annual Friends’ Day, Friends’ Carol Service, and a special welcome event in the summer.
Membership starts at just £35 and includes a welcome pack with a Friends’ card and badge.
The Friends can even dispatch the gift on your behalf!
Friends' Day 2024
Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Friends’ Day and helped to make it such a success.
Watch our Annual General Meeting recording, access our Annual Report and Financial Statements (31 March 2024), and watch individual films about the Cathedral Lodge Dry Garden, Sacred Space group, and an update on the Deanery Development – all projects which have been generously supported by a grant from The Friends.
History of The Friends
The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral was founded in 1927 by the then Dean of Canterbury, George Bell. The organization was the first of its kind in the world.
In 1928 Miss Margaret Babington joined Dean Bell as Steward. A redoubtable woman of enormous energy and tremendous vision, she made a huge contribution to the success of the Friends. She staged plays and concerts and enticed illustrious people such as John Masefield, Sir Adrian Boult, Gustav Holst, Dorothy L. Sayers and Dame Myra Hess to the Cathedral. Rudyard Kipling and George Bernard Shaw became enthusiastic members.
Margaret Babington, the energy behind the Friends when it started, handed over her baton to many other stewards and executive secretaries, all of whom have put their own stamp on the efforts of the Friends, and made it the successful charity and membership organisation it is today.
Over the years The Friends have given the equivalent of more than £15 million towards various projects to enhance and preserve Canterbury Cathedral.
Our President is The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. Prior to her death, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was our First Friend on the Roll, and the former Prince of Wales was our Patron.
Upcoming Friends events
MONTHLY
FRIENDly Singing for Wellbeing
St Paul’s Church Hall, Canterbury, CT1 1NH
ALL welcome – rusty singers included!
Turn up for a cuppa and a biscuit, followed by sociable singing to put a smile on your face, led by Jamie Rogers, Assistant Director of Music, and our Choral Scholars.
Please join us between 14:00-15:00 on the following Mondays:
- 20 January 2025
- 10 February 2025
- 10 March 2025
The Big FRIENDly Sing! - Saturday 10 May 2025
- 12 May 2025
NEW DATES ADDED REGULARLY
Free to attend but donations welcomed.
All welcome. No need to book.
Organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Charity No 256575).
Friends’ Carol Service
This service took place on Wednesday 18 December
Organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral
Hear the Cathedral bells ring out to greet you as you arrive at our FRIENDly traditional service, with readings and music by our Cathedral girl choristers.
This was a fundraising event in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral.
Tuesday 21 January 2025, 10:30 in the Clagett Auditorium
The Friends' Coffee Concert
Your chance to be entertained by the Cathedral’s Choral Scholars whilst enjoying coffee and pastries.
This concert will showcase the progress and repertoire of the Scholars who joined in September 2024.
Expect a mixed musical medley for a Monday morning!
Tickets: £10 Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, £15 non-members. Includes tea and coffee.
This event is organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 256575).
Tuesday 28 January 2025, 10:30-11:30 in the Clagett Auditorium
TALK: Church, Chapel, and Controversy in Victorian Canterbury with Doreen Rosman
The final talk in Doreen Rosman’s series about the history of Canterbury.
In March 1851, a nationwide religious census disclosed that only half the church-goers in the country frequented the established church – and that the best attended service in Canterbury was not held in the cathedral.
This talk explores the diversity of religious provision in Canterbury, and the history of conflict and co-operation between these different religious groups.
Tickets: £10 Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, £15 non-members. Includes tea and coffee.
This event is organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 256575).
Friday 21 February 2025, 10:30-11:30 in the Clagett Auditorium
TALK: Miracles, ‘Madness’, and Mistaken Identity
with Dr Rachel Koopmans and Léonie Seliger
The Friends are partnering with The William and Edith Oldham Trust and The Oxus Foundation to fund a detailed investigation of one of the magnificent Thomas Becket Miracle Windows to research more into the stories being told in these beautiful panels – and to study, catalogue and, finally, conserve these windows for centuries to come.
In this talk, given by Dr Rachel Koopmans, expert on medieval history and associate professor of York University, Canada, and Léonie Seliger, Director of our Stained Glass Studio, you will be the first to learn about this important work, which commenced in autumn 2024, celebrating the jewels in the crown of our medieval heritage.
Tickets: £10 Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, £15 non-members. Includes tea and coffee.
This event is organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 256575).
EXCLUSIVE ONSITE PARTNERSHIP CLASS
RSN: Celebrating Mothering Sunday
Friday 21 March 2025, 10:00-16:00 in the Community Studio
Join Royal School of Needlework Tutor, Helen Stevens, to stitch a stunning Anemone design, inspired by the colours and artistry of the Cathedral’s stained glass windows.
You will learn various stitching techniques to create the highlights and depths of your Anemone, using rich coloured silk and threads, and add beads for the final intricate details.
There will also be an opportunity to view some of the Cathedral’s stunning stained glass under the guidance of one of our glaziers.
This exclusive project is part of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral's unique association with the Royal School of Needlework.
The class cost is £170 per student and includes all materials and necessary equipment to complete the project.
Image © Royal School of Needlework
Saturday 22 March 2025, 11:00-15:00 in the Community Studio
FREE* Mothering Sunday Themed RSN Family Drop-in Workshop
Pop into our Community Studio and sow a beautiful motif, with Royal School of Needlework Tutor, Helen Stevens, to display in your home or to give as a special gift - just in time for Mothering Sunday!
This free* event is proudly presented in partnership with The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral.
Drop-in activity; no need to book.
Both children and adults welcome. Suitable for ages 4+ (parents/carers may need to assist younger children)
Kindly supported by The Worshipful Company of Broderers.
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends’ Card. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply).
Thursday 10 April 2025, 10:30-11:30 in the Clagett Auditorium
TALK: Ostend – it’s more than just fish and flip flops
Melanie Gibson-Barton, one of our most popular speakers, will return to speak about Ostend, a coastal city that combines the grandeur of the Belle Époque with the artistic flair of the Flemish artist James Ensor and his many successors. Ostend’s heritage is as a fishing community.
Melanie will offer Friends an insider view of the history this popular city by the Sea to explore sandcastles, ferries, royalty, artists,
architecture, wars, and herring.
Tickets: £10 Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, £15 non-members. Includes tea and coffee.
This event is organised by and in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 256575).
Saturday 10 May 2025 (between 11:30-18:00), in the Quire
Be a part of
The Big FRIENDly Sing!
* SIGN UP TO SING NOW *
Join us for our fourth Big FRIENDly Sing!
Come along and sing Mozart’s Requiem from scratch, conducted by Dr David Newsholme, Director of Music at the Cathedral.
Pricing to sing:
- £30 to sing with own score
- £35 to sing with hired music on the day
Invite family and friends to attend the performance!
All are welcome!
Tickets to the event: £15 (Children go free)
This is a charity event in support of The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral (Registered Charity No 256575).
Giving to The Friends
Please consider making a donation to The Friends to ensure we can continue our work in preserving the Cathedral for generations to come.
- Make a donation online via JustGiving
- Call +44 (0)1227 865292 to donate over the telephone by credit or debit card.
- Send a gift by post to: The Friends’ Office, Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH. Please make cheques payable to ‘The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral’.
- Make a regular gift by standing order by downloading and completing our standing order form and returning it to the Friends’ Office.
Why not give a gift in memory of someone special?
Please let us have the person’s name when you send us your donation and we will record this gift in our annual publication, The Chronicle.
Leave a gift in your will
You can make a real difference to our work and provide valuable support for future generations to come by leaving a gift to The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral in your will. Nearly all legacies to charities are free from inheritance tax.
A possible form of words for such bequests is:
I bequeath to The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2EH, registered charity number 256575, the sum of … (for a specific sum) or the residue (or a … share of the residue) of my estate.
Renew your membership
Stay in the loop
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