Canterbury Cathedral is the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and a World Heritage site, founded in 597 AD by St Augustine.
Broome Park is about fifteen minutes down the road, which makes the cathedral the natural place to start if you’re staying with us and want to see one of the most popular things to do in Canterbury.
History of canterbury cathedral
Augustine arrived in Kent in 597, sent from Rome to convert the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to Christianity. He built his church inside the old Roman city walls, and it’s been the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury ever since. Unfortunately, a fire in 1067 destroyed the original building, leading Archbishop Lanfranc to rebuild the cathedral in the Romanesque style over the following decade.
The cathedral later became the site of a killing that was a pivotal moment in the history of the city. Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the north transept, by knights of King Henry II. After that, the cathedral brought pilgrims from across the continent to visit his shrine, bringing in revenue to expand.
Later, another fire in 1174 destroyed parts of the building requiring a major rebuild, where a lot of the building was rebuilt in the new Gothic style seen now.
What to See
Architecturally, everything sits so beautifully well together, especially given the building was assembled in pieces across centuries. The crypt is Romanesque, and one of the oldest and largest of its kind in England. The quire and Trinity Chapel are early Gothic, raised after the 1174 fire. The nave and Bell Harry Tower are Perpendicular Gothic, added around two hundred years after that.
The Martyrdom, in the north transept, is the point where Becket died, and now a modern altar and a jagged sculpture sit there. The Trinity Chapel holds the candle, along with some of the finest medieval stained glass left in the country, much of it telling the story of miracles people believed Becket performed after his death.
Give yourself extra time for the cloisters and the crypt too; neither takes long, but both are easy to rush past.
Before you go
It’s a working church with services every day, and visitors are welcome outside those times.
There’s usually a charge for general sightseeing visits, though entry is free if you’re there for a service. Prices, hours and photography rules change, so we’d always recommend to check the cathedral’s own website.
Most people spend ninety minutes to two hours inside. Longer if you take one of the guided tours.
Getting There from Broome Park
It’s about fifteen minutes by car. Parking right by the cathedral is limited, so most visitors leave the car in one of Canterbury’s central car parks or use the Park & Ride and walk the last stretch, the cathedral gates are easy to spot once you’re in the city centre.
If you’re staying with us, and want to make a day of it, an evening at the Marlowe Theatre is always a good idea and just a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral.
FAQs
Is Canterbury Cathedral free to visit?
There’s usually an admission charge for general sightseeing visits, though entry is free if you’re attending a service. It’s worth checking current charges and opening times on the cathedral’s website before you go.
How far is Canterbury Cathedral from Broome Park?
About fifteen minutes by car.
How long does a visit to Canterbury Cathedral take?
Most visitors spend around ninety minutes to two hours inside, longer with a guided tour.
