Canterbury Cathedral

What To expect when visiting Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral Official Web Site

Canterbury Cathedral Overview

For perhaps the majority of first time visitors to Canterbury, the big draw is to visit Canterbury Cathedral.


It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the world-wide Anglican Communion.


Much of the history of Canterbury Cathedral predates the Church of England, notably Thomas à Becket assassinated in 1170 by followers of Henry II, the event that made Canterbury a major place of pilgrimage.

Canterbury Overview
Canterbury Cathedral
Roman Museum
Walking Tours
Other Things To Do
 
Leeds Castle
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Getting There
Canterbury
Leeds Castle
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Days Tours From London

Canterbury Cathedral is at the heart of the city centre, you just turn a corner and all of a sudden the front entrance (pictured below) is in front of you, opposite the tourist office.


Because of the medieval street plan of Canterbury you would have walked a minimum of 5/10 minutes to get to the entrance, even if on a coach tour.

Visiting Canterbury Cathedral

Like Salisbury Cathedral, Canterbury has a well preserved Close, with just a few gates into the religious area from the city streets. You cannot actually see the Cathedral without paying for entry through the main gate.

A work around for this if you do not particularly want to enter the Cathedral is to go on the Canterbury walking tour. The walking tour, is allowed within the Close and the walk spends significant time exploring the Close.

The area within the Close is extensive, the Cathedral is just one part of the complex.


When visiting Canterbury Cathedral, remember this is primarily a working Cathedral not a tourist attraction. At any time there may be a service or perhaps an event or pilgrimage that affects your visit.


Above all note that Sundays is not a good day to visit, the Cathedral is only open a couple of hours around lunch time.


There are tours throughout the day (though not Sunday) and also 40 minute audio tours available in several languages.

Front Gate To Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral History

The history of Canterbury dates back to to 597AD when St Augustine was sent as a missionary to establish his seat in Canterbury. The church buildings have been built and expanded since that time with much built in Norman times when the Cathedral was completely rebuilt.


Until the 10th century the Cathedral community lived as the household of the Archbishop. During the 10th century, it became a formal community of Benedictine monks, which continued until the monastery was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1540 .


The best known event in the Cathedral's history was the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. Canterbury, always on the medieval pilgrim route to Rome, became an end in itself, as thousands came to worship at Becket's tomb, especially after his canonization in 1173.

Geoffrey Chaucer's pilgrims in his poem, The Canterbury Tales, were by no means unique.


When Becket was made Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II in 1162, he changed his total allegiance from the King to the Pope and the Church. Henry had expected his full support, and there were many conflicts between them.

Four knights, overheard the King's rage and took seriously his shout of "Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?" and promptly went to Canterbury and killed Becket at the alter.


Three days after his death, there began a series of miracles attached to his martyrdom. These are depicted in the miracle windows of the Trinity Chapel.

In 1173, Becket was canonized by Pope Alexander III. Pilgrims began to flock to Thomas' shrine in the Cathedral; a year later Henry, in sackcloth, walking barefoot, was among them.


During the Civil War of the 1640s, the Cathedral suffered damage at the hands of the Puritans; much of the medieval stained glass was smashed and horses were stabled in the nave. After the Restoration in 1660, several years were spent in repairing the building.


During the Second World War, the Precincts were heavily damaged by enemy action and the Cathedral’s Library was destroyed.

Leeds Castle, Canterbury & Dover Day Tour From London

There are several companies that offer day tours from London where visits to Canterbury Cathedral and Leeds Castle are highlights of the day. A visit to the white cliffs of Dover is normally also included in a packed day to remember.


The Premium Tours tour at the moment is probably best value as it gives a special private viewing of Leeds Castle first thing. Then concludes with a river boat trip up the Thames from historic Greenwich to Westminster with tea and scones served on board.


Evan Evans is the biggest specialist tour company in London and they also do a Canterbury, Leeds Castle and Dover tour that operates most days of the week

Both tours are similarly priced.


Premium Tours Canterbury - Leeds Castle - Dover Tour

Evan Evans Canterbury - Leeds Castle - Dover Tour