Kent and Surrey visit to Canterbury

Event details

Monday 7 April, 2 – 4pm
Kent and Surrey visit to Canterbury: Christ Church Gate, Canterbury Cathedral, and the Poor Priests’ Hospital, Stour Street, Canterbury

Join the Kent and Surrey Group for a tour guided by stone mason, Heather Newton ACR, Head of Fabrics Projects, and Joel Hopkinson, Head of Estates and Fabric at the Cathedral. 

Completed around 1520, the Tudor Gothic Christ Church Gate has, since 2018, undergone essential structural repairs and work to protect and revive its intricate carvings and gilded stonework. The Cathedral’s stonemasons and conservators have used the latest technology with traditional conservation techniques to clean and conserve both the surviving original fabric and the work of the previous, early twentieth century restoration. 

It is hoped that our visit will also include the Poor Priests’ Hospital, Stour Street, a four-minute walk away. This Grade I Listed building is a remarkable survival of a twelfth century building which has had a range of uses including a house for Paupers, a Police Station and most recently Canterbury Heritage Museum. This project, led by Dolmen Conservation and Joinery, demonstrates again the marriage of modern conservation techniques and traditional craftsmanship needed to protect historic buildings for future generations.

There are two sets of ladders to climb on the scaffolding of Christ Church Gate.

Please note that if you wish to visit the Cathedral itself, there is now a fee of £18 per person. The last entrance to the cathedral is at 4pm. For further information, please see the Cathedral website.

You will need 

Please wear sturdy footwear. PPE, hats and hi vis jackets, must be worn; some of this can be supplied but please bring these with you if you own them. A limited supply will be available on site for those without. 

How to get there

Meet at
5 Burgate, 
Canterbury CT1 2HA

Canterbury is well served for visitors via car and train.

Accessibility

There are two sets of ladders to climb on the scaffolding of Christ Church Gate

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions. 

Photo credit: Christ Church Gate detail. Courtesy of Cantebury Cathedral