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.
Canterbury Cathedral introduces free day-entry tickets for those in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit
Free sightseeing entry for millions of UK residents
Millions more UK residents can now enjoy free sightseeing entry to one of the country’s most-visited historic sites as Canterbury Cathedral introduces free day-entry tickets for those in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
There are approximately 6.4 million people in the UK in receipt of Universal Credit, including over 191,400 who live in Kent. As of 2nd January 2025, any UK resident in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit can book a free day-entry ticket to Canterbury’s world-famous Cathedral and Precincts*.
Known as England's First Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral was founded by St Augustine in 597 CE. It is a unique place of worship, a major pilgrimage destination, a masterpiece of art and architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Whilst it is always free to attend a service of worship or to go into one of the Cathedral’s chapels for private prayer, income from sightseers is essential in meeting the approx. £30,000-per-day costs to maintain and preserve this truly special place. Those sightseers who can pay sustain the Cathedral via their visit, both protecting it for future generations and allowing those without the financial means to enjoy free sightseeing entry.
This extension of eligibility for free sightseeing entry is part of the Cathedral’s mission to be open and welcoming to all. The Dean of Canterbury, David Monteith, said:
Nothing gives me greater joy than to see people enjoying this amazing place. I long for it to be ever more open but I have to balance the tough realities of increasing accessibility alongside generating the income essential to the Cathedral’s survival.
Extending free sightseeing access to the millions of UK residents in receipt of Universal Credit and Pension Credit is another step in our journey of encouraging everyone – regardless of means, background or belief – to come and experience this truly unique place of worship.
Each Universal Credit Day Ticket is valid for sightseeing entry to the Cathedral for one adult only. Multiple Universal Credit Day Tickets can be purchased, but each adult in a party must have individual proof of eligibility*.
Children aged 17 and under already enjoy free sightseeing access when accompanied by an adult ticket holder** – including those with a Universal Credit Day Ticket.
There is a suggested donation of £3 per person for Universal Credit Day Ticket holders who are able to make a contribution to the Cathedral.
Others who also already benefit from free sightseeing access to the Cathedral include: local residents and local workers eligible for a Cathedral Pass; full-time students from Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Kent, and University for the Creative Arts; and refugees/asylum seekers with valid ARC or BRP cards. There is also universal free evening entry to The Precincts daily from 5-9pm.
Exploring further free access
Free access to the Precincts was available during November and December 2024 when the historic Christmas Market returned to the Cathedral, and other ways that free access might be extended are currently being considered.
During 2024, two Free Precincts trials were conducted to assess whether it might be possible to offer universal free access to the Cathedral grounds during visiting hours whilst still generating essential income from paying sightseers. The first trial period ran from January to March – traditionally, an ‘off-peak’ visitor period – whilst the second trial ran during August and September, the Cathedral’s busiest time for paying sightseers.
The Cathedral’s governing Chapter will soon meet to consider the data from these trials – including income from visitors, donations, and feedback from visitors and stakeholders – and to make a decision on future free Precincts access.
*Terms & Conditions, and proof of eligibility apply. Pre-booking is recommended.
**Maximum 2 children per adult; does not apply to group bookings or school visits; T&Cs apply.
Further information
- Free Universal Credit Day Tickets are available to UK residents in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
- Each Universal Credit Day Ticket is valid for sightseeing entry to the Cathedral for one adult only. Multiple Universal Credit Day Tickets can be purchased, but each adult in a party must have individual proof of eligibility. Terms & Conditions, and proof of eligibility apply.
- There is a suggested donation of £3 per person for Universal Credit Day Ticket holders who are able to make a contribution to the Cathedral.
- Universal Credit Day Ticket holders are required to present proof of eligibility alongside their booking upon entry. Tickets are valid for free day entry to the Cathedral and Precincts on the date specified in the booking.
- Tickets are available every day of the week, during standard visitor opening times. To avoid disappointment, pre-booking is recommended. Ticket holders should always check the Cathedral’s opening times and upcoming closures before booking or visiting.
- Children aged 17 and under enjoy free sightseeing access when accompanied by an adult ticket holder, including those with a Universal Credit Day Ticket (maximum 2 children per adult; does not apply to group bookings or school visits; T&Cs apply).
- There is no limit on the number of individual free day visits that an eligible UK resident in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit can book each year.
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.
