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“Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?”-King Henry II
Archbishop Thomas Beckett engaged in conflict with King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the church. In 1170, four knights set off for Canterbury on the orders of the King and murdered Archbishop Thomas Beckett in his cathedral. The murder was extremely violent. Two years later, the archbishop was canonized by Pope Alexander III on February 21, 1173 after a series of miracles, depicted in the miracle windows of the Trinity Chapel, were attached to his martyrdom. Soon after, pilgrims by the thousands, as told in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, began to flock to the Cathedral to worship at Becket’s tomb, among them, Henry, clothed in sackcloth and barefoot.
Today, the Cathedral is one of the most visited in the country. Visitors come to experience the Cathedral which is set within its own walled Precincts. Surrounded by medieval buildings and ruins, there is much to experience. St. Martin’s Church, the building in which St. Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury and his followers first worshipped, is the oldest working church in England. Together with Canterbury Cathedral, and St. Augustine’s Abbey, where his monks lived and worshipped and where Kentish Kings and the first Archbishops were buried, they make up one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Located right in the middle of the city center, visitors can access the Cathedral through the Christ Church Gate.
The church and Cathedral have stood on the site for over 1,400 years and boasts some of the finest church architecture in the country. Built from stone imported from Normandy, it houses the 17th century bell which is still rung every day to open and close the Cathedral. A large display of stained glass windows, some surviving from the 12th and 13th centuries can be seen in the Cathedral, especially in the Trinity Chapel, which was built specifically for the Shrine of St. Thomas.
Time should also be allotted to explore the massive crypt beneath the east end of the Cathedral. Built under Archbishop Anselm in the early 1100’s, it still contains extensive Romanesque murals and exquisitely carved columns and capitals. One of the things that stood out was the sculpture by Antony Gormley. Suspended over the site of Thomas Becket’s vestry place in the Eastern Crypt of the Cathedral, it immediately caught our attention upon entering. Speaking with one of the Cathedral’s guides, who noticed our interest, he informed us that the sculpture, entitled Transport, was created using antique nails taken from the roof from the Cathedral’s repaired south east transept roof. A notable fact…due to the magnetization of the nails, the sculpture always points north-south.
The oldest son of King Edward III, Edward, was a brave leader in the wars against France. Called the Black Prince by the French, as they feared his bravery, he asked to be buried in the Crypt, but it was decided that he was too important and his tomb was placed close to Thomas’ shrine. His tomb consists of a bronze effigy beneath a tester depicting the Holy Trinity. The only English monarch to be buried at Canterbury, lies opposite the Black Prince; King Henry IV and his Queen, Joan of Navarre.
Much time should be allowed to explore the Cathedral in full. An audio guide can be rented, in seven languages, from the kiosk in the Nave or a guided tour can be joined at various times of the day, where expert guides can not only inform you of the Cathedral’s history, but answer your questions. The main tour lasts 40 minutes with an optional section lasting another 20 minutes which covers the Great Cloister and Chapter House.
After exploration of the Cathedral is complete, time can be spent roaming the pedestrian friendly streets in the city of Canterbury and its many shops and restaurants.
Getting There
- Car-Several car parks are located in the center of Canterbury and a park and ride system operating with buses running every 7- 8 minutes from designated areas on the outskirts of the city right into the city center. For more information, visit http://www.canterbury.co.uk
- Train-Southeastern High Speed rail service from London St. Pancras to Canterbury West station. Journey time, under one hour. For information, visit http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
- Southeastern also runs regular train service from London Victoria and London Charing Cross to Canterbury East station and Canterbury West station. The Cathedral is a short walk into the city from either station. For information, visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
- Bus-National Express offers regular bus service from London Victoria Coach Station. For timetables, visit http://nationalexpress.com
- Canterbury Cathedral is also offered as part of many organized tours in the area
Hours of Operation
- Summer-0900-1730
- Winter- 0900-1700
- The Crypt- 1000-1730 (Summer), 1000-1700 (Winter)
- Sundays-1230-1430
Admission
- Adults-£10.50
- Concessions-£9.50
- Children under 18 years to 5 years-£9.00
- Children under 5-free
- Family ticket (2 adults and 3 children)- £28.50
- Family ticket (1 adult and 2 children)- £20.50
Guided tours
- Weekdays, Monday-Friday, 1030 (except January), 1200, 1400 (1430 Summer)
- Saturday-1030 (except January), 1200, 1300
- Guide ticket, £5.00pp or £10.00 for family
- Audio tour available-£4.00
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