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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.
To learn more about Heritage Open Days, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk
The tours on this page are all free to attend, but pre-booking is required, as spaces are limited. Should you wish to visit the Cathedral or St Augustine’s Abbey after your tour, standard visitor entry charges will apply.
Tours will go ahead regardless of weather conditions, so please bring weather-appropriate clothing if required and wear suitable footwear.
Canterbury Cathedral Memorial Garden & Bastion Chapel Tour
Fri 6 September, 11:30-12:30
Mon 9 September, 11:30-12:30
Wed 11 September, 11:30-12:30
A guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral’s Memorial Garden including the rare opportunity to visit the tiny medieval Bastion Chapel set in the city walls.
This tour will include walking on uneven surfaces, with low light levels at times. Please wear sensible footwear.
Canterbury Cathedral Precincts and Garden Tour
Sun 8 September, 14:00-15:15
Sun 15 September, 14:00-15:15
A guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral’s outside spaces, including the Great Cloister, Chapter House and monastery ruins, uncovering traces of the lives of the monks who were the site’s early inhabitants. Learn more about the creation of the Cathedral’s public gardens and discover how they are cared for today.
Queen Bertha’s Walking Tour
Tues 10 September, 11:00-12:30
Thurs 12 September, 11:00-12:30
Retrace the daily walk Queen Bertha of Kent took from St Martin’s Church, via St Augustine’s Abbey to Canterbury Cathedral, and learn about the re-introduction of Christianity to this part of the world by St Augustine in the 6th century as you pass other historic landmarks along the way.
Canterbury Cathedral Historic Graffiti Tour
Thurs 12 September: 12:30-13:45
Fri 13 September: 12:30-13:45
A guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral’s mysterious wall markings in the Eastern Crypt, depicting religious pictures and symbols. The tour will explore the origin of these marks and talk about who might have made them.
This tour will include walking on uneven surfaces, with low light levels at times. Please wear sensible footwear.
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