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 Day Ticket

FREE

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

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit

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

Book Universal Credit Day Tickets

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

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

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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

 

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.

Free evening entry to Cathedral Precincts

For the first time since the Coronavirus pandemic, Canterbury Cathedral will resume free evening entry to its Precincts grounds.

Beginning Wednesday 10 August 2022, between 17.00 and 21.00 daily, individuals and families will be able to enjoy free access for a quiet walk through the beautiful green spaces of the South Side Precincts of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Maintaining a centuries-old tradition, the daily 21.00 closure of The Precincts will be marked by the Cathedral’s curfew bell.

Though the Cathedral Church building itself will be closed – last admission for visitors is at 16.00 – all are welcome to attend the daily Choral Evensong service at 17.30, and the Cathedral’s Constables and stewards will be on hand to help with any enquiries. As with all of the Cathedral’s services of worship, there is no charge to attend, and all are welcome.

Terms and conditions of free evening entry to The Precincts:

  • Free evening entry to The Precincts is for individuals and families only. No group visits or guided visits are permitted.
  • Free evening entry is offered between 17.00 & 21.00 daily. This may change at short notice due to services or exceptional circumstances.
  • Only the South side of The Precincts will be open to the public. The Cathedral Church and the North Side of The Precincts, including The Great Cloister, will be closed.
  • Access to the Cathedral Precincts is via Christ Church Gate in the Buttermarket only.
  • There is no vehicle access to The Precincts.
  • Day visitors will need to leave the Cathedral Church building by 17.00 but can stay within The Precincts until 21.00, and are welcome to attend Choral Evensong at 17.30.
  • Free evening entry to the Precincts is a pilot project, and will be reviewed by the Cathedral during October 2022 half term.
  • The Cathedral reserves the right to amend or restrict access to The Precincts at any time, and to request visitors to leave the site if necessary.

For details of daytime visits to the Cathedral and Precincts, including opening hours, ticket prices, and free access for local Precincts passholders, see https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/

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