Planning your visit? Remember to check our closures.
All are welcome to join us for Advent and Christmas at the Cathedral
Remember to check our Christmas Opening Hours
Talks and tours
*BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - BOOK NOW*
Stained Glass Studio Tour
Friday 6 December, 11:00-12:30
Our Cathedral Studios workshop is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Stained Glass Heritage.
Visit the studio, meet one of our conservators and learn more about their work specialising in the conservation, restoration and protection of stained glass from the 12th Century to the 20th Century.
£25 per person. Cathedral admission not included.
Guided tours
Our guided tours are the perfect way to discover the Cathedral’s amazing history, spaces, and secrets.
WEEKLY Monday - Saturday 10:30, 12:00 and 14:00 and Sundays 13:00
'The Inside Story' Tour
Discover the story of Canterbury Cathedral through its soaring architecture, beautiful medieval stained glass and the history that helped make and shape the Cathedral.
Only £5 per person, plus admission charge. Book at our Visitor Centre.
New dates added regularly
Stained Glass Windows Tour
Did you know that some stained-glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral are amongst the oldest in the world? Join us on a guided tour, offering an introduction to the history and range of stained glass found at the Cathedral, from medieval to modern.
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
New dates added regularly
Historic Graffiti Tour
Historic graffiti across the walls of the Cathedral voices the beliefs, work, hopes and fears of those who built, lived, worshipped and visited this special place over the last 900 years.
On this tour, the Cathedral’s Historic Graffiti Team shine a light on a selection of the historic graffiti that can be found throughout the Cathedral.
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
New dates added regularly
Precincts and Gardens Tour
Explore the Cathedral Precincts to find traces of the lives of the monks who were the site’s early inhabitants and discover our beautiful public gardens while learning how these spaces, created over centuries, are still used and tended by our gardening team today.
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
New dates added regularly
Cathedral Precincts Tour
Discover how the Cathedral was first built and altered over time.
Uncover Romanesque architecture and Gothic-style craftsmanship that make the outside of the Cathedral just as fascinating as the inside.
Hear why the Cathedral Crypt is above-ground and how the feet of Stephen Langton, a major influencer of the Magna Carta, are out in the cold.
Learn about the previous inhabitants of the Precincts, the Benedictine Monks of Christ Church Priory, who walked these Precincts for centuries.
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
New dates added regularly
Canterbury Cathedral Library Tours
Our Cathedral Library collection includes books from the early decades of printing onwards, including books from some of the earliest European printing presses.
The Howley-Harrison Library was rebuilt over the Infirmary Cloister in 1665 and recently restored to its splendid 19th century décor. It is the largest individual collection in the Library, made up of approximately 16,000 books and pamphlets.
Join a guided tour to learn more about the Library and to explore some of the collection close-up.
£8 per person, plus admission charge.
New dates to be announced for 2025
Canterbury’s UNESCO Sites tour: Foundations of Faith
Discover more about the introduction of Roman Christianity to Britain on this unique fully-guided tour experience which takes you through the heartland of historic Canterbury.
Delve deeper into history with a guided tour at each location, and enjoy a sandwich lunch in beautiful gardens overlooking Canterbury Cathedral - all included.
Enhance your visit
DAILY Between 10:00- 16:00, various intervals
FREE* Mini Talks
Listen to a bite-sized exploration of the Cathedral’s history with a free 15-minute Mini Talk, delivered by our knowledgeable team.
A great chance to discover more about the 1,400 years of history of our magnificent Cathedral - from the Black Prince and the turbulent Thomas Becket, to our Historic Graffiti and marvellous Stained Glass.
Take a pew and learn something new!
Talks subject to availability on the day. Ask at our Visitor Centre for times.
*Included with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket or Cathedral Pass
Media Guide
With enhanced content at every step, our media guides allow each member of your group to take their tour, their way, delving deeper into what interests them and gaining insight from our experts.
Cost per person: £5
Book your tickets
Tickets start from £17.00 or free if you are a local resident and have a Cathedral Pass.
Exhibitions
Making History: Church, State and Conflict
Cathedral Crypt
Explore up-close a unique collection of artefacts that tell the complex, and often violent, story of Church-State relations.
Amazing objects on display include the battle shield of Edward The Black Prince, a charter of King Henry II issued five years after the murder of Thomas Becket, and an 11th-Century document with the wax seal of William the Conqueror.
Stories Set in Stone
Viewing Gallery
Including exhibits from the 9th Century to the present day, this exhibit tells the story of how stone is carved and explores how techniques and styles of working in stone have changed over the centuries.
Chalices, Flagons and Patens
Water Tower Corridor
Church practice through the centuries has been full of variety, and this can be seen in the objects used in worship, from simple communion cups to decorated chalices.
Monastic Life
Water Tower
In this exhibition in the Cathedral's newly-restored Water Tower, discover what day-to-day life was like for Canterbury's monks
Make a day of it
World-class heritage
Take time to explore Canterbury’s world-class heritage - wander along ancient city walls, walk cobbled streets and relax in riverside gardens as you enjoy contemporary bars, restaurants and independent, boutique shops.
St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church
Explore all three sites that make up Canterbury’s UNESCO World Heritage Status: St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church, in addition to Canterbury Cathedral.
Learn more about the medieval period with a visit to the Eastbridge Pilgrim’s Hospital or the peaceful Franciscan Gardens.
Stay at The Lodge
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.
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