Sightseeing Entry

 

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.

By accessing the grounds or buying a Canterbury Cathedral admission ticket, you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions of Entry.

 

It is always free to attend a service of worship or come into the Cathedral to pray.

Find out more about worship at the Cathedral.

Opening Times

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.

Opening times are subject to change. Occasionally, areas of the Cathedral may be closed to visiting, due to services, special events or for conservation work to be carried out.

To avoid disappointment, please check opening times and upcoming closures before visiting.

Cathedral Admission Tickets

Group and school visits must be booked separately (See further below).

Concessions are available, with a valid proof of eligibility (See further below).

 

All sightseeing entry includes† :

  • Entry to the Cathedral, Precincts and gardens
  • Exhibitions
  • Mini talks
  • Activity trails
  • Visitor events

† Subject to availability

 

Ticket prices as of January 2025

October-March

£18.00

 

Perfect if you're looking for a quieter visit, but still plenty to discover.

 

Multi-day ticket. Valid for 365 days from booking; re-visit the Cathedral and Precincts as often as you like during that time at no extra cost.

April-September (Excl. weekends in July & August)

£19.50

 

Make the most of the good weather, during our busy season.

 

Multi-day ticket. Valid for 365 days from booking; re-visit the Cathedral and Precincts as often as you like during that time at no extra cost.

Weekends in July & August

£21.00

 

Get more out of your summer visit, with special events and visitor experiences.

 

Multi-day ticket. Valid for 365 days from booking; re-visit the Cathedral and Precincts as often as you like during that time at no extra cost.

 

 

Kids go FREE every day!

Children (aged 17 and under) 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.

 

Concessions

You are required to present a valid proof of eligibility on entry.

 

Pre-book online

Universal Credit Tickets

FREE

Free entry tickets are available to UK residents in receipt of the following:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit

Universal Credit Ticketholders are required to present proof of eligibility alongside their booking. See full T&Cs

Book Universal Credit Tickets

When booking, please consider if you are able to make a donation to Canterbury Cathedral (£3 suggested donation).

Multi-day ticket. Valid for 365 days from booking; re-visit the Cathedral and Precincts as often as you like during that time at no extra cost.

Application Registration Card (ARC) holders

FREE

Enjoy FREE entry with a valid Application Registration Card (ARC)

Local University 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.

Cathedral Passholders

FREE

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

Friends Cardholders

FREE

Friends of Canterbury Cathedral enjoy free entry, as well as many other membership benefits!

The Friends are the Cathedral’s fan club!

They are a community who work together to preserve the Cathedral, and, with the great gen-erosity of their members, contribute financially to many vital projects.

Other membership benefits include:

  • 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

Find out more about the Friends

Group visits

 

Visiting Canterbury Cathedral is a great addition to any itinerary. From introductory talks, to expert guided tours, we have a variety of group options available.

Find out more

School visits

 

Have an inspiring day-out filled with an abundance of historical and educational interests. Days can be planned to reflect the interests of students from primary school through to university.

 Find out more

Share this content

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
Get directions

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 a future visit? Remember to check our opening times and upcoming closures.

Volunteers Ccathedral 180822 065
Scroll
Volunteers Service Images 068
Scroll
Volunteers Ccathedral 180822 128
Scroll
Volunteers Davidkingphotographer 048
Scroll
Volunteers Service Images 092
Scroll

Volunteer

Our roles
How to apply
Our Strategic Plan
Volunteers are essential to the life of the Cathedral, and core to our Benedictine welcome.

Our vision is to welcome everyone, to inspire and support them on their journey of faith and to create a Cathedral community that is a sanctuary for all. Faithful to Christ the Good Shepherd, we aspire to embody the following behaviours in our community culture: Compassion, Collaboration, Commitment and Curiosity.

Volunteering at the Cathedral can be extremely rewarding. If you would like to be part of our community and volunteer with us, please consider the volunteering roles below.

Our Volunteering roles

Visits

Our Visits Volunteers share the history and worship of the Cathedral with visitors from all over the world.

NOW RECRUITING

Stewards

Our team of Stewards support Cathedral worship by welcoming our congregations and ensuring that the five hundred plus services a year run smoothly. 

 Role description (PDF)

NOW RECRUITING

Flower Arranger

Our Flower Guild arrange the magnificent floral displays that bring colour and joy into the Cathedral. The team also design floral displays for special occasions and festivals, such as Easter and Christmas.

 Role description (PDF)

Gardeners

The Cathedral’s beautiful and diverse 23.5 acres of grounds are maintained and developed by our talented team of staff and volunteer gardeners. 

As a Volunteer Gardener you will support the day-to-day maintenance of both our public and private gardens, with a particular focus on wildlife and biodiversity.

The Servers’ Company of St Andrew

The Servers Company assist with Cathedral worship by supporting the Clergy during weekend and special services.  Part of their role is to carry the cross and candles at the head of the procession and to ensure that services run smoothly.

Friends volunteers

Our Friends volunteers greet visitors at the Friends’ Desk in the Cathedral and help spread news of the work and community of The Friends - the Cathedral's fan club!

Bellringers

Our team of Bellringers keep alive the centuries-old tradition of bell ringing at Canterbury Cathedral. 

'Holy' Stitchers

From maintaining the beautiful vestments worn by our Clergy at services to creating gowns for the Cathedral Choir, our 'Holy' Stitchers are vital in keeping Cathedral fabrics looking wonderful.

'Holy' Dusters

Our dedicated team of 'Holy' Dusters support the Virger department in keeping the Cathedral pristine for services and visitors. 

Sunday Club

Our Sunday Club volunteers help to watch over our younger congregation members during Sunday Service, making sure that they have lots of wonderful activities to do.

Archives & Library

Our Archives and Library team rely on volunteers with experience of research and administration to help catalogue the Cathedral's historic treasures and share them with the public.

How to apply

Download our application form - either as a Word document or PDF file - and email your completed form to [email protected]

Application Form (Word) Application Form (PDF)

Stay in the loop

Sign up to our newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest events, news and offers

By adding my email I confirm my subscription to the newsletter and understand that the email address provided will be held by the Cathedral and the email service company (dotdigital) to use for distributing this newsletter only. For more information please see the Cathedral Privacy Notice.