Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral stands in the Precincts at the heart of Canterbury, Kent, England, and is the mother church of the Anglican Communion and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 597 AD by St Augustine, it became a major pilgrimage destination after Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered inside it in 1170, an event commemorated at the Martyrdom, the spot in the north-west transept where he fell. Visitors enter through the Christ Church Gate and the Buttermarket and pass through the Norman-era and later Gothic buildings. The nave, rebuilt in the late fourteenth century in Perpendicular Gothic style, is a soaring space of pale stone, while the Quire and the crypt, the largest Norman crypt in England, hold carved capitals and the cathedral's oldest fabric. Trinity Chapel contains the site of Becket's shrine, now marked by a single candle, and the tomb of the Black Prince. The medieval stained glass is among the finest in England, and the twelfth-century Miracle Windows are especially notable. The cloisters and the Chapter House are quieter areas for photographs, and the best exterior view is of Bell Harry Tower from the Precincts lawn. A visit takes about two hours, with free guided tours included in admission and multimedia guides available. The cathedral is busiest from late morning to early afternoon in summer and during school holidays. Early morning visits and late afternoon are calmer, although the building closes earlier on Sundays and during services. Evensong is open to worshippers and visitors and is a good way to hear the choir. Visitors should check for closures during special services. The wider city rewards exploration as well. The Canterbury Roman Museum, the medieval Westgate Towers and the cobbled lanes of the old centre lie within walking distance, and the river can be explored by punt. The ruins of St Augustine's Abbey, also a World Heritage Site, are a short walk east. Bags may be searched at the gate, and visitors are asked to dress respectfully, with quiet maintained in the areas used for prayer.