Visiting Canterbury Cathedral
Ingrained in British history is the famous and religious attraction of Canterbury Cathedral. A leading spiritual figurehead for the Church of England, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many saints and royalty have worshipped at the cathedral. A visit to Canterbury Cathedral is a must for architecture, history, and religion enthusiasts! So, as you gather travel inspiration for your next trip to the county of Kent, here’s a general list of everything at Canterbury Cathedral!
Want to go to Canterbury? Walk along the medieval city walls, Mercery Lane, take a punt on the River Stour, Canterbury Castle and much more. Part of our day tour from London. Find out more about our Dover Castle, White Cliffs and Canterbury day trip, which comes with a 10% discount below!
A Brief History of Canterbury Cathedral
Before Canterbury Cathedral was, there was St Augustine! The missionary monk and, for some, the founder of the English Church. Sent by Pope Gregory the Great, St Augustine was welcomed with open arms by King Aethelberht I. St Augustine was kindly given land outside of the city walls to develop the Abby and Church in 597 AD. What started as a congregation built for monks, would later become “Christ church” as St Augustine would later be named the Bishop of England. The foundations laid by St Augustine would then be built upon between 1070 and 1077 by the Normans. Today, we now have the Canterbury Cathedral.
The Canterbury Cathedral
Nave
Upon your entrance into the Cathedral, you’ll immediately enter the Nave. You’ve entered the “larger than life” space, where the heart of the congregations gather for worship. The attractive style apparent in the stonework, columns and arches is the Gothic style, which first appeared in French churches. Natural light feels the Nave and also highlights the beauty of the stained glass.
Remember to note the marble Font, the 800-year-old stained glass on the West end and the design of the high ceilings. Two other highlights are the Bell Harry Tower and the Great South Window.
Interesting facts:
The nave is 600 years old.
designed by Henry Yevele.
The nave ranks 84th in the world and 11th in the United Kingdom with its height at 24 meters!
Cloisters
The Great Cloister offers a sober and peaceful walk. Surrounding the garden is the overhead roofed walkway. The largest in England, Monks would use the area in the daily lives of prayer, meditation and service. As you stroll the walkway, the Gothic style appears again with the noticeable coats of arms. These coats of arms represent families, religious institutions and royalty, highlighting the history of the Middle Ages.
Chapter House
The Chapter House is by the Cloister, making it a convenient section of the cathedral to stop by briefly. Built-in the 14th century, the Chapter House is the biggest of its type in England. Spiritual leaders use it for prayer and council meetings – The room is a reflective space with a beautiful interior as a religious aid.
Getting your Canterbury Cathedral Tickets!
Looking to visit with friends and family! Experience the Gothic architecture and the historic art of Canterbury Cathedral by travelling with us on our Canterbury & Dover Tour. Our most attraction-packed day of fun, adventure and natural beauty!
Canterbury and Dover Guided Day Tour from London
From £115
See Canterbury Cathedral, the White Cliffs of Dover and lastly visit Dover Castle including the secret war tunnels. Entries are included in your ticket price.
Stained Glass Windows
Don’t rush by the Nave without taking a moment to gaze upon the stained glass windows around the Cathedral. Eye-catching to the eye, and wonderful works of art, there is indeed more than meets the eye. The 1,200 square meters of stained glass served the grand purpose of telling bible stories to the illiterate of the time.
Remember to look above the Nave entrance for the Great South Window. The largest window in Canterbury Cathedral, a truly magnificent sight to behold! The Great South Window, which stands at nearly 17 meters high and 7.5 meters wide, was built in 1430. If you visit Canterbury Cathedral and gaze upon this large stained glass window, you’ll discover that its theme is to demonstrate the lineage of Jesus, as expressed in the Gospel of Matthew, solidifying his claim as the true Jewish Messiah.
The Quire
Passing from the Nave to the Quire, you’ll step into once what was a sacred space. Once reserved only for those of religious standing such as monks and priest, and the highly praised choir of the Cathedral. Now opened to the public, roam the Quire freely and delight in the interior as well as the sacred space. Reimagine the Choirs throughout the ages in the Choir Stalls while you stand where kings and queens once stood!
The Crypt & Precincts
Passing from the Nave to the Quire, you’ll step into once what was a sacred space. Once reserved only for those of religious standing such as monks and priest, and the highly praised choir of the Cathedral. Now opened to the public, roam the Quire freely and delight in the interior as well as the sacred space. Reimagine the Choirs throughout the ages in the Choir Stalls while you stand where kings and queens once stood!