Donate with JustGiving
Upcoming Closures

A message from the Dean

We are delighted to welcome you to Rochester Cathedral and hope you enjoy your visit. The Cathedral celebrates and affirms all people regardless of ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexuality – all are included within the hospitality and love of God. Please be mindful of your neighbour as you move around the Cathedral and remember others may be praying. You are invited to light a candle at one of the votive stands and rest awhile. I hope the beauty of this sacred place will help refresh and restore you and we will see you back soon. Please consider making a donation to help keep this Cathedral open for future generations to enjoy. Go well.

The Very Reverend Dr Philip Hesketh AKC DL Dean of Rochester

What’s On

Rochester Cathedral has a vibrant programme of concerts, exhibitions and activities throughout the year. Here’s some of the events taking place soon. Visit our What’s On page to discover more about upcoming events

Coming soon at Rochester Cathedral

Events input
Lunchtime Recital Series
Oct 5
Lunchtime Recital Series

Relax and enjoy a musical break over lunchtime in the beautiful setting of Rochester Cathedral. Our Lunchtime Recital Series will be held on selected Mondays throughout the year

Free

Read more →
Bayeux Tapestry - Home Educators Event
Oct 14
Bayeux Tapestry - Home Educators Event

HOME EDUCATORS — THIS ONE IS SPECIAL!

Join us at Rochester Cathedral on the 14th October 2026 for a very special one-off 1066 experience for home-educated families!

Ticketed

Read more →
Lunchtime Recital Series
Nov 9
Lunchtime Recital Series

Relax and enjoy a musical break over lunchtime in the beautiful setting of Rochester Cathedral. Our Lunchtime Recital Series will be held on selected Mondays throughout the year

Free

Read more →
Country by Candlelight
Nov 12
Country by Candlelight

Calling all country music fans... we’ve got a show guaranteed to heal your Achy Breaky Heart! Direct from London's West End, Country By Candlelight is finally here. So, it’s time to pour yourself a cup of ambition and get ready to dance the night away!

Read more →
Whitney Houston by Candlelight
Nov 13
Whitney Houston by Candlelight

Calling all Whitney Houston fans! You have been Saving All Your Love for this Moment In Time! Get ready to experience the best of Whitney Houston All At Once, at this epic concert, performed live at the beautiful Rochester Cathedral!

Read more →
G4 Christmas
Nov 25
G4 Christmas

Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season, with the return of their ‘G4 Christmas’ tour in the most awe-inspiring cathedrals, priories, minsters, halls and abbeys across the UK.

Ticketed

Read more →
Advent Carol Service and Procession
Nov 29
Advent Carol Service and Procession

All are welcome to join us at this special service as we mark the beginning of the season of Advent.

Read more →
Christingle Service
Dec 12
Christingle Service

Join in with traditional carols at our family friendly Christingle Service.

Read more →
A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Dec 18
A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

Choristers, candles and carols for everybody to join in: nothing compares with the experience of a traditional carol service in Rochester Cathedral, which has witnessed over a thousand Christmases. 

Read more →

Upcoming Closures

Occasionally Rochester Cathedral is closed to visitors for events. Unless otherwise stated, all services will continue to take place. Any upcoming closures will be listed below. Look for future closures here

Upcoming Closures
The Cathedral will be closed until 1pm and the Café is closed today.
Oct 2
The Cathedral will be closed until 1pm and the Café is closed today.
Read more →
The whole Cathedral will be closed until 2pm. The Cafe is closed all day.
Oct 16
The whole Cathedral will be closed until 2pm. The Cafe is closed all day.
Read more →
The whole Cathedral will be closed on Tuesday 20th October. The Cafe is open via the Engineers Door.
Oct 20
The whole Cathedral will be closed on Tuesday 20th October. The Cafe is open via the Engineers Door.
Read more →
The Quire will be closed between 11am and 2pm. Cafe open as normal.
Oct 24
The Quire will be closed between 11am and 2pm. Cafe open as normal.
Read more →
Organ tuning taking place all day today.
Nov 4
Organ tuning taking place all day today.
Read more →
The Quire will be closed from 1pm. Cafe open as normal.
Nov 5
The Quire will be closed from 1pm. Cafe open as normal.
Read more →
Cathedral closed to visitors until 12pm, Café open as normal via Engineers Door.
Nov 11
Cathedral closed to visitors until 12pm, Café open as normal via Engineers Door.
Read more →
Articles
A Rose ‘Christening’ at Rochester Cathedral
News
A Rose ‘Christening’ at Rochester Cathedral
News

Britain’s first new rose christening recently took place at Rochester Cathedral.

Read more →
News
Living Stones: English Cathedrals as Sacred Spaces in Changing Times
News
Living Stones: English Cathedrals as Sacred Spaces in Changing Times
News

‘Living Stones; English Cathedrals as Sacred Spaces in Changing Times’ - A study of Anglican Cathedrals.

Read more →
News
Thy Kingdom Come - May 2026
News, Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come - May 2026
News, Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Kingdom Come - 14th May to 24th May 2026

Read more →
News, Thy Kingdom Come
Tessa Campbell Fraser's Whales on display at Rochester Cathedral
News, CNZ
Tessa Campbell Fraser's Whales on display at Rochester Cathedral
News, CNZ

An awe-inspiring art installation is now open at Rochester Cathedral. Whales depicts three majestic sperm whales which will be suspended in the Nave. The thought-provoking and award-winning artwork is by artist Tessa Campbell Fraser and is presented in partnership with MESSUMS ORG.

10th February - 7th March

Read more →
News, CNZ
Record Visitor Numbers at Rochester Cathedral in 2025
News
Record Visitor Numbers at Rochester Cathedral in 2025
News

Rochester Cathedral welcomed the highest number of worshippers and visitors on record in 2025, with over 323,000 people visiting over the year. This marks a 23% increase from 2024, when 262,000 people came to the Cathedral.

Read more →
News
Changes in the Liturgy and Music Department
Music, News
Changes in the Liturgy and Music Department
Music, News

Director of Music, Adrian Bawtree to take on new role supporting Chapter’s vision for the Cathedral and wide community in the context of Music, Arts and Wellbeing.

Read more →
Music, News
From Chorister to Global Pop Star: The Musical Journey of King's School Head Boy, John F
News
From Chorister to Global Pop Star: The Musical Journey of King's School Head Boy, John F
News

It has been a whirlwind few months for King’s School Head Boy, and former Rochester Cathedral Chorister, John F. Following a thrilling journey documented in the Netflix docuseries Simon Cowell: The Next Act he has been revealed as one-seventh of the new British boyband signed to EMI/Universal, December 10

[External Link]

Read more →
News
Rochester Cathedral stars on the One Show
News
Rochester Cathedral stars on the One Show
News

Earlier in December we were delighted to welcome Adebanji Alade to Rochester Cathedral. He was here to film a piece for The One Show on BBC One shown on the 16th December.

Read more →
News
Rochester Cathedral awarded title of Awareness Ambassadors for Peace
News
Rochester Cathedral awarded title of Awareness Ambassadors for Peace
News

Rochester Cathedral honoured to be named Awareness Ambassadors for Peace at a Gala Dinner.

Read more →
News
A community effort - the refurbishment of the Royal Engineers Summer House
News, Gardens
A community effort - the refurbishment of the Royal Engineers Summer House
News, Gardens

An article by Adrian Bawtree, Director of Music, on the community project leading to the refurbishment of the Royal Engineers Summer House in the gardens of Rochester Cathedral.

[External Link]

Read more →
News, Gardens
Safeguarding Season 2025
News, Safeguarding
Safeguarding Season 2025
News, Safeguarding

Rochester Cathedral is marking a month-long season of Safeguarding this year, in which we invite everyone to reflect on the past failures of the Church in protecting children and vulnerable adults, here in Rochester and elsewhere.

Read more →
News, Safeguarding
Cathedral Green Spaces and Garden Project Awarded UKSPF Funding
News, CNZ
Cathedral Green Spaces and Garden Project Awarded UKSPF Funding
News, CNZ

We are delighted to share that the Cathedral Green Spaces and Garden Project has been awarded UKSPF Year 4 funding to support the next stage of the Rochester Cathedral Gardens and Green Spaces initiative.

Read more →
News, CNZ

Diocese of Rochester

The Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Rochester and Mother Church of the Diocese of Rochester. The diocese covers West Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley. Discover more

Who's who in your Cathedral

Find out who is in the Cathedral team here.

Safeguarding

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults visiting and participating in Cathedral activities is important to us. You can find out more about our safeguarding policies here.

We're just a 5-minute walk from Rochester train station. Southeastern has a variety of ways to save, including Kids for a Quid and GroupSave tickets. Plus, you pay no booking fees when you book directly with Southeastern.