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Canterbury Cathedral

The first Archbishop of Canterbury was St Augustine who arrived as Pope Gregory's missionary on the Kent Coast in 597AD. King Ethelbert gave Augustine a church at Canterbury, in Kent. When Augustine was made a bishop, he established his seat or "cathedra" at Canterbury. An abbey was built, St Augustine's Abbey, the ruins of which survive. The cathedral itself was built in stages between 1070 and 1498. The cathedral and St Augustine's Abbey together make up a World Heritage Site. They are joined in this site by St Martin's church, the oldest parish church in England, dating the sixth century when it was used by queen Bertha of Kent, prior to the arrival of Augustine.

Up until 2005 there have been 104 archbishops in a direct line from St Augustine. One of the most famous was Thomas Becket who was murdered in the cathedral on the 29th of December 1170. He had been appointed by Henry the Second to bring the church under royal control, but ended up doing the opposite, insisting on the rights of the church in the face of the king's power. The dispute led Henry to declare in frustration: "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" Four knights, seeking to ingratiate themselves with the king, took him at his word, came to the cathedral and committed the murder in a part of the building now known as "the Martyrdom". In the centuries following Becket's murder pilgrims would follow the route of his last journey from Southwark Cathedral. The Church had always aspired to seniority over national monarchs, and Becket became a symbol in the Church's struggle to maintain its premier position. Much was done to encourage the cult of Becket. When the eastern arm of Canterbury Cathedral was gutted by fire in 1174 the opportunity was taken to built a spectacular raised shrine to Becket. The pilgrimage from Southwark to Canterbury inspired Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in the fourteenth century. Pilgrimages still follow the same route today.

Canterbury is easily reached from London, and the cathedral is a short walk from the railway station. Note that permits are needed for photography inside the cathedral, and these are available from the Welcome Centre or cathedral gift stalls. Groups can pre book an audio visual presentation, or specialist tours in history, stained glass, architecture, music and heraldry. The cathedral's archives and library are open by appointment.

The approach to the cathedral seems to have been designed to heighten the drama of the moment when you first see it. Above narrow streets the height of the cathedral tower is emphasised. A visitor walks along a narrow street, passes through a gate house, and then looks up...

Opening Times: The opening times of the cathedral vary but a general guide is as follows: During the Summer on weekdays 9am to 5.30pm and during Winter on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. The crypt is open 10am to 5pm.On Sundays it is open 12:30 to 2:30pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. For accurate up to date opening times please contact the visits office by e-mail to visits@canterbury-cathedral.org

 

Directions: Canterbury Cathedral is in the centre of Canterbury just off Broad Street. Click here for a road and satellite map centred on Canterbury Cathedral.

Access: facilities for the disabled include toilets, ramps, wheelchairs, a lift, and a touch and hearing system.

Contact: 01227 762862, or e-mail Enquiries@Canterbury-Cathedral.org