Crown & Coronation Light Show – Canterbury Cathedral 24th-28th September
Image credit: Official HRP image © Luxmuralis/Mary Evans Picture Library
Come to Canterbury Cathedral to experience the splendour of Coronations and the Crown Jewels in this amazing new immersive light show. Crown and Coronation will bring the spectacle, significance and shared experience of Coronations to life, demonstrating the pivotal role of the Crown Jewels, part of the Royal Collection, within the ceremony.
The show will feature stunning imagery spanning more than 1,000 years of history, enhanced by the magnificence of Canterbury Cathedral – host to many kings and queens throughout its incredible history – where the projections and soundscape will sweep through the amazing interiors. The Crown Jewels, the objects at the very heart of the Coronation ceremony, will be projected through detailed footage and an emotive musical score, evoking the sensation of having a private audience with the magnificent collection.
Crown and Coronation has been created by Historic Royal Palaces – the charity that cares for the Tower of London – in partnership with Luxmuralis, as part of an artistic collaboration between artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper. Luxmuralis worked with Canterbury Cathedral in September 2023, with the hugely popular Renaissance show.
Crown and Coronation launched in November 2023 with a spectacular installation within the walls of the Tower of London, just months after the world witnessed the Crown Jewels in use at a Coronation for the first time in 70 years. The show is undertaking a UK-wide tour of famous landmarks and locations until December 2025.
Tues 24 – Sat 28 September, slots from 18:30
An immersive light and sound show that brings the spectacle of the Crown Jewels and Coronations to life.
- Tickets: £16
- Visit duration: 45-60 minutes
- Entry timeslots available every 15 minutes from 18:30-21:30
- Accessibility: the 18:30 entry slot offers step-free access and lower audio volume
What to expect
The experience involves walking through the Cathedral to view a number of different light and sound projections. Each installation lasts about 5-8 minutes on a continuous loop. The whole experience should last between 45–60 minutes.
This exhibition includes loud sounds, music and moving and flashing images throughout the experience, as well as bright lights and areas of darkness within the Cathedral.
Only bottled water is permitted within the Cathedral and there is strictly no smoking or vaping within the building or the grounds.
Dinner in the Refectory Restaurant
Make the most of your time in Canterbury and treat yourself to a delicious 3-course meal in our Refectory Restaurant, before or after your light show slot.
£30 per person
Tables must be pre-booked, and we have limited availability during these times, so please book early to secure your table.
Full pre-payment will be taken at the time of booking and is non-refundable unless we are able to re-sell places booked. All allergies and dietary requirements can be catered for, please state these when booking.
Tuesday – Availability
Wednesday – Availability
Thursday – Availability
Friday – FULLY BOOKED
Saturday – Availability
To ensure the best possible experience, please book your table either 2 hours before or 1 hour after your light show slot.
Luxury Accommodation
Why not make a night of it and book to stay here at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge?
The Cathedral Lodge offers the perfect space for guests visiting from afar, or those who are simply looking for a relaxing evening away from home.
Facilities within the hotel include en-suite bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, direct dial telephones, mini fridges, safes and 42inch smart TV’s.
All stays include a full Kentish Breakfast and complimentary Cathedral entry tickets.
Rates start from £160 per night (based on two guests sharing a room)
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge has proudly received the Travelers’ Choice Award for over 10 years in a row, in recognition of its position in the top 10% of hotels worldwide for reviews and ratings.
Timeslots
Timeslots are in operation for this event to allow a steady flow of people. Admission to the light and sound exhibition will be from the timeslot you have selected. We have provided a door time 15 minutes prior to your time slot. This will allow time for you to join the correct queue prior to your entry time. Audience members who arrive more than 15 minutes before their allocated time slot will not be admitted to the Cathedral grounds – this is to ensure that crowds can be managed and admitted on time.
Please be aware that this is a very popular event and our team will be working hard to admit visitors as punctually as possible, as such we ask that visitors be patient and work with our stewards, so that everybody can enjoy the event.
Accessible Access
We will endeavour to ensure all ticket holders enjoy their experience to the best of our abilities. However, please be aware that the full route is not step-free and includes uneven surfaces. The Cathedral Nave is wheelchair accessible and stewards will be able to guide you to this section when you enter the grounds, if you are unable to traverse the full route.
The first timeslot of each day is reserved for accessible access and will feature a step-free experience solely taking place within the Cathedral Nave.
Refunds
Tickets are non-refundable.
Parking
There is no dedicated parking for this event and car parks in Canterbury will be busy. Blue badge spaces are available within the Cathedral grounds, but these are subject to limited availability and advance booking. We encourage visitors to walk or use public transport where possible. Please leave plenty of time to find parking.
Address: Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH