Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury

Name: Canterbury Cathedral
Address: 11 The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1227 762862

#1 among attractions in Canterbury

Unesco, Church, Top attraction, Gothic architecture, More...

Gallery (25)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Rafa Esteve / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Nilfanion / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Tilman2007 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL • 5. En.wikipedia.org / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL • 6. En.wikipedia.org / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL

Facts and practical information

Canterbury Cathedral, a beacon of English history and spirituality, stands in the heart of the medieval city of Canterbury, England. This majestic cathedral is the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a position of great significance within the Church of England.

Dating back to 597 AD when St Augustine arrived on the English shores to spread Christianity, the cathedral has undergone numerous transformations. The most significant changes occurred in the 12th century after a fire and during the subsequent rebuild, which saw the cathedral take on its current Gothic style. Its historical significance was further cemented in 1170 with the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose murder within the cathedral's walls turned it into a pilgrimage site.

Visitors to Canterbury Cathedral are greeted by its stunning architecture, featuring Romanesque and Gothic elements, and the intricate stained glass windows that cast colorful patterns within the nave. The cathedral's highlights include the beautiful cloisters, the ancient crypt dating back to the 11th century, and the site of Thomas Becket's shrine.

The cathedral is not only a place of worship but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its outstanding universal value. It is open to the public for both sightseeing and services. Tourists can explore the vast history through guided tours or at their own pace, taking in the serene atmosphere and the impressive stonework that has stood the test of time.

Alternative names: Unesco: from 1988Area: 22.61 acres (0.0353 mi²)Spire height: 190 ftTower height: 236 ftCoordinates: 51°16'47"N, 1°4'42"E

Address

11 The PrecinctsCanterbury CT1 2EH United Kingdom

Contact

+44 1227 762862

Website

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Canterbury

Day trips

Canterbury Cathedral – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Canterbury Roman Museum, Westgate, Canterbury city walls, Greyfriars.

~820 ftSE
Museum, History museum
Canterbury Roman Museum, Canterbury
4 min walk • The Canterbury Roman Museum in Canterbury, Kent, houses a Roman pavement which is a scheduled monument, in the remains of a Roman courtyard house which itself is a grade I listed building. The pavement was discovered after World War II bombing, and has been open to the public since 1946. The museum was established in 1961.
~1030 ftNW
Museum, History museum, Architecture
Westgate, Canterbury
5 min walk • The Westgate is a medieval gatehouse in Canterbury, Kent, England. This 60-foot high western gate of the city wall is the largest surviving city gate in England. Built of Kentish ragstone around 1379, it is the last survivor of Canterbury's seven medieval gates, still well-preserved and one of the city's most distinctive landmarks.
~860 ftNW
City wall
Canterbury city walls, Canterbury
5 min walk • Canterbury city walls are a sequence of defensive walls built around the city of Canterbury in Kent, England. The first city walls were built by the Romans, probably between 270 and 280 AD.
~370 ftSW
Park
Greyfriars, Canterbury
2 min walk • Greyfriars in Canterbury was the first Franciscan friary in England. The first Franciscans arrived in the country in 1224 and the friary was set up soon afterwards.
~1240 ftSE
Shopping centre, Shopping
Whitefriars Shopping Centre, Canterbury
6 min walk • Whitefriars Shopping Centre is a shopping centre in Canterbury, Kent, England. It is the biggest shopping centre in East Kent.
~1570 ftS
Garden, Park
Dane John Mound, Canterbury
8 min walk • The Dane John Mound, also known as the Dane John Gardens, is a former Roman cemetery in the city of Canterbury, Kent. It was converted into a motte-and-bailey castle in the 11th century, and turned into a civic park between 1790 and 1803.
~210 ftE
Museum, Art museum, Tudor Revival architecture
The Beaney, Canterbury
1 min walk • The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is the central museum, library and art gallery of the city of Canterbury, Kent, England. It is housed in a Grade II listed building. Until it closed for refurbishment in 2009, it was known as the Beaney Institute or the Royal Museum and Art Gallery. It reopened under its new name in September 2012.
~500 ftSW
Museum
Canterbury Heritage Museum, Canterbury
3 min walk • The Canterbury Heritage Museum was a museum in Stour Street, Canterbury, South East England, telling the history of the city. It was housed in the 12th-century Poor Priests' Hospital next to the River Stour.
~1190 ftSE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Canterbury
6 min walk • St Thomas of Canterbury Church is a Roman Catholic Parish church in Canterbury, Kent, England. It was built from 1874 to 1875 in the Gothic Revival style. It is situated on the corner of Burgate and Canterbury Lane, west of Lower Bridge Street, opposite the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral in the centre of the city.
~1050 ftE
Church
Chair of St Augustine, Canterbury
6 min walk • The Chair of St Augustine or Cathedra Augustini is the ceremonial enthronement cathedra chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral, Kent.
~1050 ftE
Church
The Corona, Canterbury
6 min walk • The Corona, Canterbury Cathedral is the east end of Canterbury Cathedral, named after the severed crown of Thomas Becket, whose shrine it was built to contain. Becket was murdered in the north transept of the cathedral on 29 December 1170. Four years later a disastrous fire destroyed the eastern end of the church.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Canterbury Cathedral open?

Canterbury Cathedral is open:

Monday 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Which popular attractions are close to Canterbury Cathedral?

Nearby attractions include Canterbury Historic River Tours, Canterbury (1 min walk), The Beaney, Canterbury (1 min walk), City of Canterbury, Canterbury (2 min walk), Greyfriars, Canterbury (2 min walk).

How to get to Canterbury Cathedral by public transport?

The nearest stations to Canterbury Cathedral:

Bus

Whitefriars • Lines: El450, P2 (7 min walk)
Bus Station • Lines: 3B (7 min walk)

Train

Canterbury West (9 min walk)
Canterbury East (11 min walk)