Luxmuralis Presents ‘Poppy Fields’ – Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th September
Image: Luxmuralis’ Poppy Fields at Chester Cathedral ©️ Luxmuralis
For five nights in September – in the year of the 80th anniversary of VE Day – Canterbury Cathedral will be illuminated with the immersive sound and light installation Poppy Fields by Luxmuralis, commemorating the First and Second World Wars.
A poignant and moving sound and light show taking visitors on an immersive journey through light and sound, transforming spaces and creating a walking curated experience amongst the artworks projected onto amazing architecture.
The installations reflect on the end of WW1 and WW2, but more importantly look at the hopes and wishes for peace in our world.
The work includes artworks such as Imagine Peace, The Second Day and Falling Leaves. Music is by David Harper, composer for Luxmuralis, and recorded poetry readings of WW1 authors read by Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne OBE.
Visit duration: approx. 45-60 minutes
Entry timeslots available every 20 minutes from 19:00-21:00
Accessibility: The 19:00 entry slot offers step-free access and lower audio volume.
Tickets:
- General Admission: £16
- Family Ticket (up to 2 adults & 2 children under 12): £50 – available between 19:00-20:00
- Accessible/Step-free Ticket: £10 – available for 19:00 slots
See guidance on bringing children.
Click here to purchase tickets
Poppy Fields incorporates a collection of fine art projection artworks that reflect on the end of WW1 and WW2, but more importantly look at the hopes and wishes for peace in our world and the future.
The Poppy Fields installation artwork allow viewers to be immersed in poppies as they cascade across the architecture, as if walking amongst the fields at Flanders.
The Second Day is an artistic interpretation in sound and light reflecting upon the battle of the Somme.
The moving piece entitled Falling Leaves reflects the estimated 16 million military personnel from all nations who lost their lives in WW1, each individual leaf falling symbolises every individual life lost.
A Heroes Story is a rolling list of names, a visual symbolic reminder of all those who laid down their lives for our generation.
Imagine Peace is the final son-et-lumiere which reflects upon the tragedy of the past and what it means to us today. Using light and sound this artwork has been created to enable us to reflect and think towards the future, with hope and peace. The artwork takes the viewer on a journey through a peaceful and uplifting ascension. Despite war and conflict the search is really for harmony in humanity.
In this piece the viewer is taken on a profound journey from the ceiling of Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, an artist’s interpretation of heaven, through a kaleidoscopic rainbow of light patterns and images formed through trees and organic shapes. We see a hint to the 1960s and the Peace movement through ‘Flower power’ shapes and colours and a series of doves flying across the sky. The artwork culminates in a spectacular abstract interpretation of the gates of St Peter taking soldiers to their final resting place. The Son-et-lumiere evokes an artist’s image of heaven, hope for the future and through triumphant and uplifting music and animated images projected all around the architecture surrounding the space we are directed towards a moment when we can “Imagine Peace”.
During Poppy Fields there is footage of Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne OBE reading war poetry by authors who wrote from the frontline or during the war, including Wilfred Owen, Charlotte Mews, and William Noel Hodgson.
Poppy Fields has been on tour throughout the UK at the following locations:
Lichfield Cathedral (2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021), Guildford Cathedral (2018), St Albans Cathedral (2018), Christ Church Oxford (2018), Winchester Cathedral (2023) and at The Tower of London (2024).
Viewers said:
“We were amongst the first to see this wonderful exhibition last night…Very moving, a “must see”!
“I can not find the words to express my feelings worthy to give this spectacular display…thank you. The person or persons that created this are truly gifted”.
“Well worth every penny..best value event I have been to in ages”.
“Amazing to see the way light and pictures used to make us think about peace, the utter devastation from the war shown in the silent films, to the continuing effect war and peace has on lives shown in different installations. I look forward to seeing it again”.
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 for 2 courses, or £40 per person for 3 courses
Click here for the menu
Tables must be pre-booked, and we have limited availability during these times, so please book early to secure your table. To make a booking, please call 01227 865350 or email events@canterburycathedralldoge.orgFull 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.
To ensure the best possible experience, please book your table either 2 hours before or 1 hour after your light show slot.
What to expect
The experience involves walking through the Cathedral to view a number of different light and sound projections. Each installation lasts around 5-8 minutes on a continuous loop. The whole experience should take around 45-60 minutes*.
*Please note, the accessible/step-free experience should take around 30-45 minutes, due to a shorter route. See ‘Accessibility’ below.
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.
Address: Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH
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.
Accessibility
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 fully wheelchair accessible and step-free, with 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 at 19:00 offers step-free access and lower audio volume.
Accessible/Step-free Tickets are available for £10 during the 19:00 session; offering a shorter, but fully accessible experience (taking place in the Nave only).
Please be aware that Poppy Fields is an immersive sensory experience, with flashing lights and occasionally loud music throughout. We would advise bringing your own ear defenders if required.
Refunds
Tickets are non-refundable.
Parking
There is no dedicated parking for this event and car parks in Canterbury will be busy.
We encourage visitors to walk or use public transport where possible.
Parking within the Cathedral grounds is only available for Blue Badge holders, subject to limited availability and by prior arrangement. Please contact our Visits team via visits@canterbury-cathedral.org or +44 (0) 1227 865279 to check availability.
There are a variety of public car parks within the city, many of which are within a short distance to the Cathedral.
Please leave plenty of time to find parking.
Toilets
Toilet facilities (including accessible toilets and baby changing) are located in the Cathedral grounds, towards the south-east end of the Precincts, opposite the War Horse statue.
Please speak with one of our stewards if you need assistance.
FAQs
Can I bring my children?
Children under 2 years will be admitted free of charge. However, due to the uneven floor and multiple staircases, pushchairs are not permitted, apart from within the accessible step-free session at 19:00 each night.
Children (ages 2 to 16 years inclusive) require their own tickets.
General admission tickets are £16 per person, or we offer a Family Ticket for up to 2 adults & 2 children aged under 12 – available for slots between 19:00-20:00 – for £50.
Children (ages 16 years and under) must be supervised at all times. Supervision of children shall be by not less than 1 adult (aged 18 years or over) per 4 children.
Where will I enter and exit?
Entry will be through the Christ Church Gate, located in the Buttermarket. You will need to show your tickets here to enter the Cathedral grounds and will then be directed to the queue for your relevant timeslot. Tickets will be checked twice to ensure you have the correct timeslot.
Exit will be via the South West Door, and through the Cathedral Shop.
What do I need to show when I arrive?
When you purchase your places for the event, you will be sent an email confirmation which serves as your ticket. Please bring this with you – either on your phone or as a print out – and show it to Cathedral staff when you arrive. Taking a screenshot means you don’t have to worry about signal when arriving.
Be sure to check the date and time slot of your tickets/email confirmation to ensure you do not attend the wrong session.
Can I arrive earlier or later than my timeslot?
Early entry will not be permitted before your time slot but every effort will be made to allow access if you are running late within the confines of the opening hours of the show. This will depend on capacity and will be at the discretion of the Cathedral.
Can I change the date and time of my ticket?
Ticket dates and times cannot be altered once purchased.
Please email enquiries@canterbury-cathedral.org if you have any questions over this.
Will I have to queue?
Queues are likely for this event but we will do our best to get everyone admitted as close to their time slot as possible. A queue will be in place for the current time slots. When you arrive, please join the relevant queue or as directed by staff.
Please dress for the weather. Due to the architecture of the Cathedral, sensible shoes are also advised.
Are dogs allowed?
Only assistance dogs are permitted within the event.
Can I take photos?
Visitors are welcome to take videos and photos (no flash) of the installation. We would love to see them, you can share by tagging @cburycathedral and @luxmuralis on Facebook, Instagram, X and Bluesky.
Image: Luxmuralis’ Poppy Fields at Chester Cathedral ©️ Luxmuralis