Discovering the Past

For incomparable heritage explore the medieval city of Canterbury. Discover the excellent range of shops, restaurants, museums and other attractions, including the spectacular Cathedral forming part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Morning

Start your day by discovering where it all began. The birthplace of Christianity in southern England is a World Heritage Site consisting of St Augustine's Abbey, St Martin's Church and Canterbury Cathedral. Now the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion the Cathedral is central to the historic city and the Christian Church.

St Augustine's Abbey

This great Abbey, marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England, was founded in AD 597 by St Augustine.

St Martin's Church

St Martin's Church is the oldest in England still in use as a parish church and is part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site.

Canterbury Cathedral

Motherchurch of the Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop. Stunning stained glass. Eleventh Century Crypt, Twelfth Century Quire, Fourteenth Century Nave.

Afternoon

Once you've explored the extraordianary religious heritage of the city why not step back in time and explore one of the Canterbury Museums. Whether you chose to visit the superb Canterbury Heritage Museum or the underground Roman Museum.

Canterbury Heritage Museum

Discover Canterbury's history, from millions of years ago to the present, explored through interactive displays in an amazing medieval building.

Canterbury Roman Museum

Explore the Roman town beneath your feet. Canterbury's underground Roman Museum is built around the remains of a Roman town house with mosaics preserved where excavated.

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral has a tradition of visitor welcome that reaches back to the days of medieval pilgrimage. To all visitors we extend a warm welcome and hope that they too will enjoy sharing with us the beauty of one of the great holy places of Christendom.

Canterbury Cathedral, together with St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church make up Canterbury's World Heritage Site.

The Cathedral and its history:

St Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory the Great, arrived in 597AD as a missionary and became the first Archbishop, establishing his seat (or 'Cathedra') in Canterbury. In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the Cathedral and ever since, the Cathedral has attracted thousands of pilgrims, as told most famously in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

The Cathedral houses a Romanesque Crypt, dating back to the 11th century, a 12th century early Gothic Quire and a 14th Century Perpendicular Nave. Beautiful medieval stained glass windows illustrate miracles and stories associated with St Thomas.

Visitor facilities range from guided tours and audio tours to private evening tours and 'behind the scenes' tours to the Stained Glass Studio, Archives and/or Library.

The Cathedral is very much part of the local community. It is used regularly for local, regional and/or national services and events. Some or all of it may, therefore, at times be closed for general visiting. Please contact the Cathedral Visits Office before visiting to check up-to-date opening times and possible closures.

Please note that the east end of the Cathedral, including the Quire, will close every day in preparation for Evensong from 16.30 (Monday-Friday) and from 14.30 (Saturday & Sunday).

For information on Cathedral closures please visit the website or view the pdf.

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Contact

Cathedral Visits Office
Tel: 01227 762862

visits@canterbury-cathedral.org

www.canterbury-cathedral.org
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Venue

Canterbury Cathedral

The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH

CT1 2EH www.canterbury-cathedral.org

See location of Canterbury Cathedral on Google maps. See location on Google maps. Map reference: TR 151578
Lat: 51.27878 Long: 1.08343
The Cathedral is located in the centre of Canterbury, within walking distance of both Canterbury East and West stations. Canterbury is only 30 minutes drive from Dover (continental ferries) and Folkestone (Eurotunnel), making it an ideal stop-over en route to London. Fast speed trains bring passengers from Canterbury to London within 56 minutes.