Canterbury Cathedral

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Details

Accessibility:

Please see its  Facilities for Visitors with Disabilities leaflet, https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AccessInformation1.pdf  and https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/information/access/ which gives details of routes to the different areas. Advance notice would be helpful, especially for special events, but staff and service stewards will always do their best to make suitable arrangements for anyone attending a service or event. To help the venue to plan seating arrangements in advance, please telephone Cathedral House, +44 (0) 1227 762862 during normal office hours. Alternatively, please email your requirements in advance to access@canterbury-cathedral.org. 

All enquiries about disabled parking should be made, in advance if possible, to Cathedral House (telephone 01227 762862) The Cathedral Welcome Centre has a small number of wheelchairs available for free loan to visitors (for use within the precincts). The accessible toilet is at the south east end of the Cathedral, 135 metres from the Welcome Centre. 

There is a lift by the Dean’s Steps on the north east side of the Cathedral to enable wheelchair users to gain access to the Quire.

Assistance dogs are welcome in the Cathedral at all times.

At special times of the year (mostly Christmas, Easter and during the summer) there will be a BSL tour led by Cathedral guide Bridget Bree (NVQ3 BSL). At times, Evensong is held with BSL interpretation.

Visitors to Canterbury can use the ‘Shopmobility’ scheme based at Gravel Walk in Whitefriars, tel. +44 (0) 1227 459889.

Brief description:

The Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican community, the Cathedral has rich decoration internally and externally dating from the 11th to the 19th Century.  Canterbury Cathedral stained glass is among world's oldest, see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57768815

Address:

Cathedral Offices (open Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00 hrs): Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH

Email:


Telephone:

01227 762862 

Website

https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Cathedral

Opening Times:

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

See https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/opening-times-entry-charges/

Visitor opening times (Cathedral and Precincts)

Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 17.00 (Last admission at 16.00)

Sunday 12.30 – 17.00 (Last admission at 16.00)

Opening times may change at short notice due to funerals, weddings, services or exceptional circumstances. Please check our website regularly prior to your visit. Services of worship take place outside of visiting hours.

Please note the Quire closes in preparation for Evensong on Monday-Friday at 16.30 hrs and on Saturday and Sunday at 14.30 hrs.

** On (most) Sundays, the Nave, Martyrdom, Crypt, Chapter House and grounds remain open during Evensong from 14.15 until 17.00 hrs (last entry 16.30 hrs).  Before visiting, always check ‘Upcoming Closures’  for visitor restrictions.


Entry Charges:

"There is a charge to enter the Precincts (grounds) and the Cathedral during the above opening times, unless you are attending a service or have a Precincts Pass (see below). Students, studying full-time at local universities (Christ Church University, University of Kent and the University for the Creative Arts) enjoy free entry with their student ID.


It costs approx. £18,000 per day to ensure the Cathedral is a safe as well as beautiful place to visit and worship in, and, although representing only one third of our annual needs, visitor income is our most important source of income. We thank you for your contribution.

Visitor entry prices 2021:

There is a charge to enter the Precincts (grounds) and the Cathedral during the above opening times, unless you are attending a service or have a Precincts Pass (see below).

Child (aged 17 and under): FREE when accompanied by a paying adult (maximum two children per paying adult; does not apply to group bookings). Kids Go Free offer runs until 31 October 2021

Adult (aged 18 and over): £14.00 (inclusive of VAT). There is also the option to make an additional £3 donation to support our stewardship of the Cathedral

Students:  Students studying full-time at local universities (Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Kent, and the University for the Creative Arts) enjoy free entry with their student ID.Adults, 18-65 yrs £12.50 , Adults, 65+ £11.50 "

Enjoy 12 Months Free Entry

UK tax payers may ‘Gift Aid’ their entrance fee which means that we can claim back 25% income tax. Your Gift Aid till ticket will then allow you free entry for 12 months. If you are not a UK tax payer, or do not wish to Gift Aid the entrance fee, you can still enjoy 12 months free entry. Ask staff at the entrance gate for an ‘Annual Ticket’ form which will need to be validated when you pay the entrance fee.

Precincts Pass: You may be eligible for free entry to the Precincts if you fall under any of the following categories:

Work in the old city of Canterbury

Live within 4 miles of Bell Harry tower

Member of the Cathedral Congregation

Cathedral Volunteer

Member of a(ny) church in the diocese (on the parish electoral roll or equivalent)

Resident within the Precincts

Please note passes are for the named person only, and pass holders may be asked at the gate for additional ID.

Directions:

The main entrance is in the pedestrianised part of the city centre,OS TR151579

Parking is not possible within the precincts except for a very few disabled parking spaces, by prior arrangement. The Cathedral is in the heart of Canterbury and there are several public car parks nearby. Canterbury is also served by three excellent Park & Ride services. For details, please see its Map & Directions page https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/maps/ , or visit the Visit Canterbury website, https://www.canterbury.co.uk/ . For information on parking in and around Canterbury, visit the Canterbury City Council website.

Parking 5 minute walk away: 

Orange Street, Canterbury: Disability Spaces: 18, Located next to Best Lane entrance. Vehicles displaying a valid Disability Blue Badge only.

Maximum stay 12 hours


Watling Street, Canterbury: Disability Spaces: 11.  Accepted payments: coins, cards, pay-by-mobile

Monday to Sunday 7am to 9pm (Free outside these hours) Maximum stay 12 hours


Parking 10 minute walk away:


North Lane, Canterbury, CT2 7EB (0.3 miles): Disability Spaces: 3. Accepted payments: coins, cards, pay-by-mobile

Monday – Sunday 7am to 9pm (Free outside these hours)


Pound Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2BZ (0.4 miles): Disability Spaces: 10. Accepted payments: coins, cards, pay-by-mobile

Monday – Sunday 7am to 9pm (Free outside these hours)

Transport:

Nearby train stations are Canterbury East and Canterbury West which are approximately 10 minutes walking distance away. Visit www.southeasternrailway.co.ukfor up to date timetable information. The Cathedral is also about 10 minutes away from Canterbury’s park and ride terminal and bus station. For local bus timetable and travel information please visit https://www.stagecoachbus.com/ or call  0871 200 22 33.

Amenities:

See https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/information/visitor-facilities/

A coffee kiosk in the south Precincts (seasonally, April ~ September) offers a wide range of snacks, sandwiches and beverages. Group hospitality is available in the Cathedral Lodge. There are many shops, cafés and restaurants nearby within Canterbury. 

"First class accommodation is available in the Cathedral Lodge. Its location immediately next to the Cathedral will make your stay an unforgettable occasion. Entry to the Cathedral is included in your stay.

Offering an impressive 250 seat Auditorium with in-built audio-visual facilities, the conference centre at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge also houses function rooms that can cater for anything from a small meeting to a large delegate conference. Meeting delegates are promised a truly memorable event in an inspirational environment."

Travel Information

For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info

Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)