Planning your visit? Remember to check our closures.
From special services, tours and talks, to unique exhibitions, music concerts and visitor events, there's always lots to discover at Canterbury Cathedral.
Luxmuralis and Historic Royal Palaces present
Crown and Coronation
Tues 24 – Sat 28 September
Come to Canterbury Cathedral to experience the splendour of Coronations and the Crown Jewels in this amazing new immersive light show.
July - September 2024
NEW What's On Guide
Discover our wide range of worship, events, family-friendly activities, and new visitor experiences - including the amazing 'Crown and Coronation' light show.
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Highlighted events
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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
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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.
From the Cathedral’s origins in the 6th century, the tour will encompass 1,400 years of history - with tales of royalty, clergy and everyday craftsmen who made the Cathedral what it is today - set amid a background of wars, political struggle and tales of bravery.
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
Book at our Visitor Centre.
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July, August & September - Every other Thursday
NEW Gentle Tours
- 18 July
- 1, 15 & 29 August
- 12 & 26 September
While our general tours are suitable for all, we know that some visitors with access needs may prefer a shorter tour, at a slower pace, in a smaller group.
These 40-minute tours can be enjoyed on their own, or one after the other with a comfort break in between.
£5 per person, plus Cathedral admission charge.
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Wednesdays, 11:15-12:30 (with some exceptions)
‘The St Thomas Becket Story’ Tour
Uncover the full story of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, where echoes of his life and legacy resound.
Explore the places in the Cathedral associated with the life and death of the renowned saint and martyr, from the location of his shocking murder in 1170 to the site of his first tomb, where over 700 miracles were reported. Discover how the story was re-told in stained glass.
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
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Fridays, 11:15-12:15 (with some exceptions)
Stained Glass Windows Tour
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.
Discover richly-detailed Bible-story windows, explore Miracle Windows and see the oldest stained glass in England. You will be introduced to 20th Century glass reflecting stories of hope, and meet a host of famous faces immortalised in glass along the way.
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
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Dates in July - October
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.
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*MONTHLY* on a Sunday (until September), in the Cathedral Lodge AV Room
Canterbury Cathedral Film Club
Please join us for our monthly film screenings. Films start at 14:00.
Visitors to the Cathedral, as well as Cathedral Lodge guests, are all welcome.
Sunday 14 July
Saint Omer - 2hr 2mins
Sunday 11 August
Godland - 2hr 23mins
Sunday 8 September
Neptune Frost - 1hr 45mins
The first rule of Film Club, is that there is no charge for Film Club...(but any donations are gratefully received!)
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Tuesdays (until 30 July), 20:00 - 21:00 BST, via Zoom
Online Book Group: Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
Julian of Norwich is esteemed as one of the subtlest writers and profoundest thinkers of the period for her account of the revelations that she experienced in 1373.
Together, over ten weeks, we shall read and discuss the complete text - focussing on specific chapters each week.
The group is free, but any donation you may wish to make to the mission and ministry of the Cathedral will be warmly received.
*Reserve your place to receive the Zoom link*
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Multiple events, 13 - 25 July
Festival of Archaeology at Canterbury Cathedral
This year, as part of the CBA Festival of Archaeology, we are delighted to be hosting a programme of events which share our passion for archaeology and history.
Thursdays 18 & 25 July - TALKS: 'After Hours at the Archives'
Hear talks from fascinating local archaeology experts, in the atmospheric surroundings of the Cathedral Archives.
£5 per person. Pre-booking required.
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MONTHLY *New dates added*
FRIENDly Singing for Wellbeing
Turn up for a cuppa and a biscuit followed by some sociable singing to put a smile on your face, led by Jamie Rogers, Assistant Director of Music, and our Choral Scholars.
ALL welcome – rusty singers included!
Free to attend but donations welcomed.
14.00-15.00 on the following Mondays:
- 8 July
- 9 September
- 14 October
- 11 November
- 9 December
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Dates in July-September 2024
American Connections Tour
Discover the strong bond that Canterbury Cathedral has with the United States.
This is the story of centuries of friendship across the Atlantic.
Dates:
- Independence Day: 4 July, 14:15-15:45
- Labor Day: 2 September, 11:15-12:30
- Patriot Day: 11 September, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
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Throughout July, each day during visiting hours
FREE* Gregory Gargoyle’s Archaeology Trail
Gregory Gargoyle has chosen 10 of his favourite archaeology highlights for you to discover as you explore the Cathedral.
Find all 10 and return your completed trail sheet to the Cathedral Shop to claim your prize!
* Included free with a valid Cathedral Admission Ticket or Cathedral Pass. KIDS GO FREE - Children aged 17 and under go free (T&Cs apply).
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Thursdays in July & August, 11:15-12:30 (some exceptions)
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.
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Multiple dates July - September, 09:30 - 16:30
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.
£59.95 per person
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Thursday 18 July, 14:00-17:30
Canterbury’s Botanicals Tour: from Garden to Glass
The Cathedral recently worked with Canterbury’s Foundry Brewery to create a gin flavoured with herbs found in the Cathedral Herb Garden. Trace the route from garden to glass on this special tour!
Discover the Cathedral's gardens on a guided tour led by a member of our senior gardening team, then follow the route the herbs took to the glass with a tour of the Foundry, complete with gin and tonic tasting.
£60 per person. Over 18s only.
More dates to be added soon...
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Dates in July, August and September
'Women at Canterbury Cathedral' Tour *SPECIAL THEMED TOUR*
Experience this special themed tour.
Uncover the lives of the queens, noblewomen and more humble artists and makers who have all helped shape Canterbury Cathedral.
- Tues 9 July, 11:15-12:30
- Wed 13 August, 11:15-12:30
- Mon 9 September, 11:15-12:30
£5 per person, plus admission charge.
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Fri 2 August, 11:00-12:30
Stained Glass Studio Tour
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.
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Thursday 15 & Friday 16 August 2024
80s Silent Disco
Dance to hits by Kylie, Madonna, Prince and other artists of the 1980s, as the Silent Disco returns to the magnificent Nave of Canterbury Cathedral.
Expect some of the UK's best 80s DJs playing your favourite tracks for a feel-good experience alongside 100s of like-minded 80s fans.
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Thursday 19 September, 10:30 in the Clagett Auditorium
TALK: ‘Highly Spiced Novelties’? The Anglican Church in All the World
with Canon Tim
We are delighted to welcome The Revd. Dr Tim Naish, Canon Librarian, to speak to Friends.
Canon Tim has lived and worked with the Church in different parts of the Anglican Communion, including south India, Zaire (as it then was) and Uganda. In this talk he’ll combine stories from his experience with bits of the story of the Anglican Church worldwide. He will also reflect on the Anglican Communion today and the challenges it faces, and the place and work of our Cathedral within it. And he will ponder the importance of effective cross-cultural communication in our world, which is where the ‘highly spiced novelties’ come into it…
£10 Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, £15 non-members. Includes tea and coffee.
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Mon 19 August, 13:00
Outdoor Theatre at the Cathedral
by Immersion Theatre
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This hilarious adaptation sees Shakespeare’s fantastical characters brought vividly to life as audiences are transported to an enchanting world bursting with magic, romance, and of course, heaps of laugh-out-loud comedy!
Four young lovers, a band of hapless actors, and a magical realm populated by mischievous spirits set on causing mayhem at every turn culminate in an unparalleled open-air experience of beauty and hilarity.
Suitable for ages 8+
£17.00 per person. Under 3’s go free.
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Sat 31 August, 16:30
Outdoor Theatre at the Cathedral
by Immersion Theatre
Peter Pan
Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing Wendy Darling to the Lost Boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook!
Suitable for ages 4+
£17.00 per person. Under 3’s go free.
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Monthly until September 2024
Time for Silent Prayer
led by Canon Emma
(Previously 'The Julian Prayer Meetings')
An opportunity to be still in the midst of the business of life and rest in the holiness and peace of this sacred place.
If you are drawn to silent prayer, please join us 18:15-18:45 on:
- Thursday 4 July
- Thursday 1 August
- Thursday 5 September
These meetings are for people of all denominations, faiths or none who wish to join with others in the practice of silent prayer, resting in the present moment.
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*FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY*
Heritage Open Days
September 2024
Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.
We are hosting a range of FREE tours at the Cathedral, between 6 - 13 September, so don't miss out and book now!
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Sat 7 September, 10:00-12:30 in the Community Studio
FREE ‘Back to School’ Event
Whether your child is starting school for the first time or transitioning into their next school year, this event offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience for all the family to enjoy!
Participate in a fun musical workshop with members of the Cathedral’s Music Department, followed by a joyful talk with a blessing, and make your own personalized bookmark - an absolute ‘back to school’ essential.
All children attending the event will also be given a special Canterbury Cathedral bag tag to take away with them (kindly sponsored by the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral.)
Free event - booking is preferred but not essential.
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Friday 20 September, 18:30 in the Campanile Garden
Summer Serenade
Join us after Evensong for a late-summer evening of cocktails and canapés whilst we are entertained by some of our talented Cathedral musicians, led by David Wilcock.
Enjoy a mixed medley of classical and folk music in the stunning garden of The Cathedral Lodge which overlooks our Cathedral.
£20 Friends, £25 non-members.
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Saturday 21 September, 10:00-16:00
Creationtide Quiet Day
‘All that is made’: Contemplating Creation with Julian of Norwich
An opportunity to reflect on the beauty of creation and our place within in through the writings of Julian of Norwich.
The quiet day is led by Canon Emma and held in the Jesus Chapel, in the Eastern, with an opportunity to reflect on the beauty of creation and our place within in it using the peaceful space of All Saints Chapel and the Quiet garden in No 15.
The event is free but donations are kindly accepted.
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Mon 23 September, 14:30-16:30
‘A History of Canterbury Cathedral in 20 Objects’ - Archives talk and afternoon tea
Join us at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge for a fascinating illustrated talk by Cressida Williams, Cathedral Archivist about ‘A history of Canterbury Cathedral in 20 objects’. Cressida will provide a potted history of the Cathedral told through some of the fascinating items from its collections
The talk will take place in the Lodge’s AV Theatre, followed by a full afternoon tea to finish, in the Refectory Restaurant.
£25 per person (10% discount for Friends of Canterbury Cathedral).
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Luxmuralis and Historic Royal Palaces present
Crown and Coronation
Tues 24 – Sat 28 September, slots between 18:30-21:30
Come to Canterbury Cathedral to experience the splendour of Coronations and the Crown Jewels in this amazing new immersive light show.
Crown and Coronation will bring the spectacle, significance and shared experience of Coronations to life, demonstrating the pivotal role of the Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection, within the ceremony.
Tickets: £16
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8th & 9th November 2024
Rising Tide Craft Beer Festival
Venue: Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Celebrating craft beer at its best, this brand-new festival hosted by Time & Tide Brewing will shine a spotlight on some of the country’s most exciting breweries, showcasing the best that independent craft beer has to offer.
A selection of beers ranging from hoppy IPAs to sours and imperial stouts will be available, with some wild fermentation thrown in for good measure.
Tickets: £15
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