Canterbury Cathedral,
A must for any visitor to the City.

Located in the Centre of the city, Canterbury Cathedral dates back over 1000 years to 597AD. The original seat (or cathedra) was founded by St Augustine and has since been steeped in the most amazing history. The Cathedral has, on one hand, seen treachery and even murder (of Archbishop Thomas Beckett in 1170). Whereas, on the other hand, has seen the most dedicated of faiths with millions of pilgrims visiting down the years.

It is the most amazing location because, as a site of pilgrimage, a tourist attraction and a functioning church, all of it blends together magically. It still touches me that, even today, as soon as you are within the walls of the Cathedral, you get the most unbelievable sense of peace and tranquility, with the hustle and noise of the surrounding city fading almost to nothing.

The Church of England is a faith that was founded by Henry VIII, after he separated England from the Catholic Church of Rome, over 500 years ago. The Pope of the day would not grant an annulment to Henry's first marriage, to Catherine of Aragon, to enable him to marry Anne Boleyn. Since then, the Church of England, a protestant based faith, has been the dominant faith within England. The Cathedral in Canterbury is the mother church of the Anglican faith and is the seat of the Archbishop.

So, as a result, Canterbury Cathedral has been both a Catholic and a Protestant Cathedral. I doubt there are many Cathedrals that can claim that.

Opening Times and Prices

The weekday opening times are as follows:

Summer: 09.00 - 17.30 hrs.
Winter: 09.00 - 17.00 hrs.
The Crypt: 10.00 - 17.30 hrs.

Sunday opening times, throughout the year, is between 12.30 - 14.30 hrs. The last entry into the cathedral is normally about 30 minutes prior to it's closing time. Prices range between £6 and £7.50 For details on group bookings use this link

As the Cathedral is still a functioning church with a Parish, there may be times when it is closed to visitors. So I would advise you check out their calendar of events prior to your visit .