This summer Rochester Cathedral invites you to rediscover 1400 years of rich history with a series of events and exhibits called ‘Faith, Hope & Love’. It focuses on the Cathedral’s diverse history, architecture, community and collections.

Running throughout August, a full and varied programme of events has been put together. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and find out something new about their local Cathedral. See below for the full events programme.

Find out about Faith, Hope and Love in a series of videos by Canon Gordon Giles.

For history lovers

History lovers will be spoilt for choice with the wide array of activities at the Cathedral. Guided tours will run nearly every day in August. An exhibition called Medieval Perspectives will run throughout the summer. Displays will be in place showing the interior as it would have looked in the medieval period. There will also be tours of the Cathedral by the Curator of the exhibition, giving visitors a chance to delve deeper into the history and architecture of Rochester Cathedral. Pre-booking is highly recommended for the guided tours. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to find out more about the books in our library with special ‘Show and Tell’ sessions with the Library Volunteers.

Family activities

Families can choose from many different activities at the Cathedral including special guided tours exploring the medieval monastery. Craft activities and brass rubbing will also be available at different times throughout the week. Families will also be able to pick up a family trail when visiting.

Discover the Cathedral Community

 Want to find out more about the community and what happens behind the scenes at the Cathedral? Several volunteer groups will be highlighting the specialist work they do. These include the Bell Ringers, Flower Arrangers and Embroiders.

Reflect

There will also be the opportunity for reflection with prayer stations around the Cathedral all summer. The Kent Corona Quilt will be on display. Created by local artist Amber Rose, the quilt contains the names of 88 people lost to Covid-19 in Kent. It is dedicated to our loved ones lost to Covid-19 and created to offer comfort and support to those left to grieve in isolation during lockdowns.

A new piece of art will be created, with the help of visitors, using the ribbons tied to the Cathedral railings earlier this year as part of the ‘Ribbons for Remembrance’ exhibition.

 The Canon Chancellor, Dr Gordon Giles says “It has been a difficult, challenging and painful time for everybody these last eighteen months and so as we open up we want to share a loving welcome, express faith in the future and offer hope as we emerge from the crises that have beset us recently.  For many the exhilarating experience of ‘the Moon’ may be the last time they came to the Cathedral, so we want to invite people back to reflect, explore and enjoy the heritage of the last fourteen hundred years, so wonderfully exhibited in our sacred space.”

Many events will be repeated during the summer. Admission to the Cathedral is free, there is an admission fee for some of the events.