Answers to some commonly asked questions can be found below. If you cannot find the answer to your query please email info@rochestercathedral.org.

About Rochester Cathedral

How old is Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral was founded in 604AD making it over 1400 years old. The original Cathedral was rebuilt shortly after the Norman Conquest.

Services at Rochester Cathedral

How often do services take place?

Services take place every day at Rochester Cathedral. There are multiple services a day. Find out more here

Do I need to book for services?

No, attendees can just turn up for the vast majority of our services. Occasionally large and popular services may need to be booked in advance. We will publish this information on our website.

Will I always get a seat for busy services?

Some of our services can be very busy, particularly at Christmas. We recommend turning up at least 20/30 minutes before the service at these times.

Can I get married at Rochester Cathedral

Find out more about the criteria for getting married here

Can my child be baptised here?

Find out more about the criteria for baptisms here

Can I hold a funeral here?

Find out more about the criteria for funerals here

Visiting Rochester Cathedral

What can I do in the Cathedral?

We are open for visitors and worshippers. You can discover 1400 years of history here.

Our current opening times can be seen here

Will you be open when I visit?

We do have some closures planned which can be viewed here

How much does it cost to visit?

Rochester Cathedral is free to visit but we encourage voluntary donations of £5 per person.

Charges do apply for group and education visits find out more here

Will the toilets be open?

Our disabled toilets are open within the Cathedral. We have public toilets open in the Garth for visitors.

How do I access the Cathedral?

Entry is via the North Door or the West Door (opposite the Castle). More information can be found here

Is there level access?

Level access is available at the North Door. Find out more about accessibility here

Can I get refreshments in the Cathedral?

Yes, the Café in the Crypt is open Monday - Saturday. Find out more here

Where can I buy souvenirs?

Our shop is open daily. Find out more here

Photography

Photography is allowed when visiting the Cathedral with some exceptions. We respectfully ask visitors and worshippers not to take photographs or make videos during acts of worship and events.

Bags

Bags are permitted in the Cathedral but on occasion bag searches may be in operation. There is nowhere to leave large bags and we ask that luggage is not brought to events.

Are dogs allowed in the Cathedral?

Unfortunately, we are unable to allow dogs or other animals, in the Cathedral. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are permitted. This is due to concerns around the behaviour of dogs and the impact of them on our visitors.

Do you have parking?

We do not have any parking at the Cathedral but there are many local carparks within a few minutes walk.

Guided Tours

We have regular guided tours which can be booked here

Lost Property

If you have lost something in the Cathedral please email a full description to info@rochestercathedral.org

Can I visit the Library?

The Library is currently closed to the public

For more information on the Library, please click here

Cathedral Clock

Our clock chimes every quarter hour except between 11pm - 6am. During this time it will only chime on the hour.

To keep the cathedral clock accurate it has been fitted with a device called a pendulum regulator, this is basically a small computer that communicates with the atomic clock and regulates the pendulum each hour to keep the clock in time.  The regulator takes its reading from the action of the hour strike and therefore the clock keeps chiming on the hour, 24 hours a day. 

 We do have a night silencer fitted to the quarter chimes and these are disengaged between 11pm and 6am.

Why are your bells ringing?

The duty verger will chime one of the bells 5 minutes before services every morning and evening, and the bell ringers ring before principle services on Sunday morning and at other key times of the year.  Practice nights for the bellringers are on Thursdays. On occasion bells will ring at other times.

Why does your spire change colour?

We regularly change the colour of our spire to support local causes. We highlight these causes on our social media.

My choir would like to perform at a service?

We regularly host Visiting Choirs at the Cathedral. Find out more here

Can I hold an event here?

We have a vibrant programme of events throughout the year. The Cathedral Calendar is always packed but we’re happy to hear from new enquiries. Please email info@rochestercathedral.org to find out more.