Record breaking visitor numbers in 2019 at Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Cathedral has had its busiest year on record with over 283,000 people visiting the Cathedral in 2019, an increase of 23% on 2018. 

In 2019, Rochester Cathedral held a number of high profile events including a hugely successful bridge-themed adventure golf course which was offered in the school summer holidays. This free educational initiative, produced in partnership with the Rochester Bridge Trust, attracted over 31,000 people, many of them in family groups and visiting the Cathedral for the first time. In September the Cathedral displayed the fabulous Knife Angel, a national monument against knife violence and aggression which attracted over 44,000 visitors in just 28 days.

As well as the increase in visitors to the Cathedral, the number of worshippers at services also increased; attendance at Advent and Christmas services in December was up by 16% on the previous year.

Dean of Rochester, The Very Rev’d Philip Hesketh says ‘Rochester Cathedral is a generous space proclaiming the wideness in God’s love.  I’m delighted that increasing numbers of people are discovering that the Cathedral’s embrace includes them’.

This is part of a nationwide trend in Cathedrals across the country with visitor and congregation numbers increasing across the board. 

Rochester Cathedral is hoping to build on its success in attracting new visitors and worshippers in 2020.  An exciting programme of events is being offered this year starting with artist Luke Jerram’s ‘The Museum of the Moon’ which will be on display in the Cathedral from the 12th February – 4th March.