Christ Church Gate, Canterbury

Canterbury Cathedral’s magnificent Christ Church Gate is the Grade I listed main entrance to the Cathedral Precinct.

Completed in 1520, the historic structure is remarkably well-preserved.

Christ Church Gateway is an extraordinary monument; it is highly embellished and decorated with heraldic motifs, including coats of arms and mythical beasts.

There are two doors through the gate; a large door to the right, and a much smaller portal to the left. Both doors are beautifully carved and embellished with more heraldic symbols.

Traditionally one of Canterbury’s most photographed sights, the Tudor Gothic Gate has recently been repaired.

From 2018 to 2022, essential structural repairs and work to protect and revive its intricate carvings and gilded stonework was undertaken.

Now, thanks to the extraordinary work of the Cathedral’s in-house teams, visitors will be able to see the Gate’s breath-taking features restored to glory.

These include intricate carvings of mythical beasts, flora and fauna, angels, heraldic shields - including the arms of Archbishop Thomas Becket and Cardinal Wolsey.

One of the most striking features to be revealed will be the Gate’s vibrant colour scheme.

This is based on detailed archival research into heraldry and the Gate’s earlier decorative schemes, examination of historic painting and gilding techniques, and comparisons with other contemporary early 16th-century heraldic paint schemes at Winchester Cathedral.

Canterbury Cathedral’s masons and conservators have employed the latest technology with traditional conservation techniques to clean and conserve both the surviving original fabric and the work of the previous, early-20th Century restoration. 

Skills have been acquired here that will be of benefit for years to come.

At the centre, above the gateway arch, is a very large figure of Christ.

This is a modern statue, replacing the original statue which was damaged during the Civil War by Parliamentary troops.

Apparently, the troops decided to use the statue for target practice, then, not content with the damage they had inflicted, attached ropes to the statue and pulled it down.

On 1 June 1942, Canterbury was severely bombed in what became known as the ‘Baedeker Raids’.

The Cathedral was a key target of the raid, but Christ Church Gate survived.

When the bombing began, four men who had been designated as ‘fire watchers’ rushed to the roof of the Cathedral.

Their job was spot and put out incendiary bombs before they could cause a fire.

Thanks to their bravery the Cathedral survived the raid largely unscathed despite sixteen bombs falling nearby and the damage to the Deanery and Library.

The attack on Canterbury was reported in the German media as revenge for Cologne.

The bombing campaign was called the ‘Baedeker Raids’ because the Baedeker guide-book – a popular German tourist guide – was allegedly used to decide which English cities to bomb.

43 people lost their lives and 100 were wounded in the attack on Canterbury. 800 buildings in the city were destroyed.

After the raid many people from Canterbury gathered at the Cathedral to demonstrate solidarity against this attack on British morale.

Writing on TripAdvisor, someone who recently visited Christ Church Gate, said: “Its’s just a gate, but how well decorated, those sculptures, this all is piece of mastership.

”It’s hard to describe it, but worth to see it from various angles to understand how beautiful it is.”

Another person added: “A very impressive entrance to the Cathedral, be sure to check this out while in Canterbury.

”It can be quite crowded especially when the weather is nice, but it is definitely worth it.

”You can also grab a drink outside at the Old Buttermarket and look at the Gate. Check it out!”

Main entrance to Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and has a rich history dating back to the 6th century.

The original cathedral was founded in 597 AD by St. Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, and it served as the main center of English Christianity.

The current structure has evolved over the centuries through various renovations and additions.

Canterbury Cathedral is primarily built in the Gothic architectural style, with elements of Romanesque architecture.

The cathedral features stunning stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and a central bell tower.

Canterbury’s role as one of the world’s most important pilgrimage centres in Europe is inextricably linked to the murder of its most famous Archbishop, Thomas Becket, in 1170.

When, after a long lasting dispute, King Henry II is said to have exclaimed 'Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?' four knights set off for Canterbury and murdered Thomas in his own cathedral.

A sword stroke was so violent that it sliced the crown off his skull and shattered the blade’s tip on the pavement.

The work of the Cathedral as a monastery came to an end in 1540, when the monastery was closed on the orders of King Henry VIII.

Its role as a place of prayer continued, as it does to this day.

Canterbury Cathedral, along with St. Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin's Church, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These sites collectively represent the Canterbury World Heritage Site.

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