Lives of the Monks Guided Tour

Canterbury Cathedral was once home to Christ Church Priory where a fraternity of Benedictine monks ran a monastery and looked after the Cathedral. Join this tour to uncover a fascinating insight into a life of prayer, work and self-sufficiency. Your guided tour will then introduce you to the monastic ruins around the Precincts, where traces of how the monks lived can still be seen. You will also explore the Herbarium, Water Tower, Great Cloister and Chapter House where the monks worked and organised their daily lives. In 1538, King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, which changed the shape of the Precincts forever, and you will learn more about what happened next and how this affected the shape of the Cathedral site.

Timings

Friday 18 September:

1100

Sunday 20 September:

1400

Location & directions

Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2EH

Directions:

Please make your way to the Visitor Centre where you will be directed to the meeting place for this tour.

Contact on day:

Melodie Robson

Telephone number:

+441227862749

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please book your place for the tour online.

Booking contact name:

Visits Team

Booking telephone number:

+441227762862

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://buy2.myonlinebooking.co.uk/canterburycathedral/sessions.aspx?tid=18

Alternative booking website:

https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/whats-on/events/

Booking opens:

01 Jun 2026 12:00 PM

Booking closes:

16 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

Disabled parking is available to book, subject to availability. Please contact the visits team [email protected] The tour takes place outside or in the Cloisters, which is wheelchair accessible but parts of the grounds are a little uneven.

Additional information

Please be aware that this tour is going to take place mainly outside. Please wear weatherproof clothing and suitable footwear. On arrival please report to the Visitor Centre where you will be given a wristband to join the tour. Please wait at the back of the Visitor Centre to meet your guide. The team will direct you.

Max number of people:

20

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 15 minute(s)

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