Mother church of the Anglican Communion and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral is the site of Thomas Becket's 1170 martyrdom that made Canterbury one of medieval Europe's most important pilgrim destinations.
Canterbury Cathedral is the mother church of the Anglican Communion and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of approximately 85 million Anglicans worldwide. The cathedral stands on a site of Christian worship since 597 CE, when St Augustine arrived from Rome to evangelise the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Kent at the invitation of King Aethelberht. The current building dates primarily from 1070, when Archbishop Lanfranc ordered a complete Norman reconstruction after a catastrophic fire destroyed the earlier Saxon church. A second fire in 1174 destroyed the choir, which was rebuilt between 1174 and 1184 by William of Sens and William the Englishman in an early Gothic style, making it one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture in England.
The event that defined Canterbury as a pilgrimage centre occurred on 29 December 1170, when Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the northwest transept by four knights loyal to Henry II. Pope Alexander III canonised Becket in 1173, and within decades Canterbury had become one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in medieval Europe, rivalled only by Rome and Santiago de Compostela. Geoffrey Chaucer's pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales (c. 1387) were travelling to Becket's shrine, embedding the cathedral at the heart of English literary culture. Henry VIII ordered the destruction of the shrine in 1538 during the Dissolution, but the place in the Trinity Chapel where it stood is still marked by a lit candle.
Architectural highlights include the Bell Harry Tower (1498), the tallest medieval tower in England at 72 metres; the Norman crypt, the largest in England, with original Romanesque columns and carved capitals; and the medieval stained glass in the Trinity Chapel, which dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and depicts miracles attributed to Becket in exceptional detail. The Great Cloister, the Chapter House, and the extensive precincts containing ruined monastic buildings all contribute to the sense of an immense medieval religious complex preserved largely intact. The cathedral was designated part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, shared with St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church.
Why it matters
Canterbury Cathedral is the founding seat of English Christianity and the site of the 1170 martyrdom of Thomas Becket, which transformed Canterbury into one of medieval Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations and directly inspired Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
Highlights
- Site of Thomas Becket's martyrdom (1170) in the northwest transept, marked by a modern altar
- Trinity Chapel medieval stained glass (12th and 13th centuries) depicting miracles attributed to Becket
- Norman crypt: the largest in England, with Romanesque columns and carved capitals dating to the 1070s
- Bell Harry Tower (1498): the tallest medieval tower in England at 72 metres
- UNESCO World Heritage Site designation shared with St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church
Tips for visiting
- Cathedral services are free to attend and provide access to the nave without a standard admission ticket
- Pre-book a Tower Tour for views across Canterbury's medieval roofscape — visitor numbers are limited
- Download the official cathedral app or hire an audio guide at the entrance for full context on Becket's story
- A combined ticket covering the cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey ruins, and St Martin's Church offers good value
- The cathedral closes to tourists during major services — check the service timetable on the website before visiting
- Arrive at opening time on weekdays for a quieter experience; summer weekends draw the largest crowds
- The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in the high street is free and provides excellent background on Roman Canterbury
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Canterbury Cathedral take?
The main cathedral visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Adding the crypt, stained glass, and exterior precincts comfortably fills 2.5 to 3 hours.
Is Canterbury Cathedral accessible for wheelchair users?
The main nave and north aisle are step-free via a level entrance. The Trinity Chapel is accessible from the main floor. The Norman crypt and some upper areas involve steps; signed accessible routes cover the principal spaces.
Is the cathedral suitable for children?
Yes, the cathedral is family-friendly. Becket's story is particularly engaging for older children, and costumed storytelling events during school holidays bring the medieval narrative to life.
Are guided tours available in English?
Free guided tours are offered by cathedral volunteers several times daily. The official app and audio guides are available in multiple languages at the entrance.