Your visit is likely to last one to three hours.
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.
Every visitor is welcomed at Canterbury Cathedral. Whatever your interest, there’s something for everyone. Whether that’s English history, beautiful architecture, music, stained glass windows, royalty, gardens, or monastic life. You can join a guided tour or do your own thing. And if needed, there’s always one of our Guides or Stewards to answer your queries.
FREE* exhibition
Cross-Currents
18 October 2024 – 15 February 2025
An installation of hundreds of beautiful, delicate hand-crafted boats embarked on their own journey through the vast architecture of Canterbury Cathedral, each fragile boat symbolizing the transient passage of the life of an individual.
*Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket, Cathedral Pass or Friends Card. Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply). No need to book.
January - March 2025
NEW What's On Guide
New year, new reasons to visit!
Your guide to worship, events, family-friendly activities, and new visitor experiences at Canterbury Cathedral.
Discover February Half Term fun, pancake races in the Precincts, Candlemas christingle making and much more!
Advent and Christmas at Canterbury Cathedral
Journeying to Christmas
All are welcome to join us for our traditional services and carols, brand new services and events, child-friendly activities, beautiful trees and decorations.
Many of our Advent and Christmas services are live streamed on YouTube and available to watch afterwards, if you aren't able to attend in person.
Image: Visualisation created by R3nder
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.
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.
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
Getting here & parking
With city parking, and regular train and coach services available, getting here couldn’t be easier.
Facilities
The Cathedral offers a wide range of facilities to ensure that all visitors enjoy an incredible day out.
Talks and tours
Join our new tours and discover the Precincts, picturesque gardens, and magnificent history of Canterbury Cathedral. Each tour costs £5 per person, simply ask a member when you arrive.
We're dog friendly!
Visitors can bring their well-behaved four-legged friends into the Cathedral building and grounds.
- Dogs must be on a short lead at all times.
- Owners must clean up after their dogs.
- Unfortunately, dogs aren’t able to accompany their owners on a guided tour or mini talk.
- Only assistance dogs are permitted at services.
- Dog bins are available.
Cathedral Lodge Lounge
Only assistance dogs are permitted in the Lounge - our on-site café - during the café opening hours (10am-4pm).
Other well-behaved dogs are allowed in the Refectory garden, when open to diners in the spring and summer months (weather permitting), during the café opening hours.
Keeping you safe
Did you know that Canterbury Cathedral has its own Constabulary?
Our officers are here 24/7 to protect this special site, and to ensure the safety of all who come to visit and worship at the Cathedral.
A home for the night
The Lodge
Cathedral Lodge offers Canterbury’s best-located accommodation and conference facilities.
Superb, well-equipped bedrooms overlook beautiful gardens with wonderful Cathedral views.
You can also be assured that a tasty breakfast awaits you in the morning.
Cathedral Lodge is the perfect getaway destination for anyone visiting historic Canterbury.
There's so much to see and do in Canterbury
Make a day of it
- Shop along the cobbled streets of Cathedral Quarter, filled with independent shops.
- Visit St Martin’s Church, the oldest church in the country.
- Take a trip to the farmers’ market, The Goods Shed, and find a range of local produce.
- Have a peaceful walk along the River Stour.
- Expand your curiosity at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge.
- Explore England’s largest surviving medieval tower, Westgate Towers.
- Spend an enjoyable evening at Marlowe Theatre.
And if one day isn’t enough, you can always stay at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge. It’s situated within the private grounds of the Cathedral and guests enjoy free entry throughout their visit.
FAQs
How long is my visit likely to last?
Will services of worship be taking place?
Services of worship take place outside of visiting hours. Visitor opening times may change at short notice due to funerals, weddings, services or exceptional circumstances. Please check our website prior to your visit.
Yes. Our public toilets will be open 09.00-18.30 daily.
With every child and vulnerable adult that enters Canterbury Cathedral we have a duty of care and responsibility which we take seriously. We have policies in place to ensure we follow the principles for the whole Church of England. You can find our independent safeguarding audit here.
Can I donate to support the Cathedral?
Yes, we welcome any support of the Cathedral. You can donate online, give at one of the contactless donation stands in the Cathedral, or make a cash donation into one of our collection boxes.
Parking is available for Blue Badge holders only, subject to limited availability. Please use the public car parks within the city.
Do I need to book a ticket to visit?
You can pre-book a Cathedral ticket to fast-track your entry on the day, or tickets can be bought from our Visitor Centre upon arrival.
Will multimedia tours be available?
Yes. Our Media Guide, launched in Spring 2022, has interactive activities, and unique behind-the-scenes material – including interviews with our clergy, craftspeople, and heritage specialists - which allows you to discover the Cathedral’s story like never before. The cost to hire the guide is £5.
Who can I contact with any other questions?
Our Visits team are happy to help with any queries you have. Email them at [email protected].
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.
Was this page useful?
There seems to have been an error while submitting your feedback
Thank you for submitting your feedback