Take part in our community project and help us make scales for Draco Roffensis. Drop in sessions running;
9th - 24th May: Monday to Friday from 10:00 - 12:00 & Saturday 18th May at 10:00 - 12:00
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
This Sunday our Old Choristers Association will join together for Evensong. The service will include a preview of a special recording made back in 1926 being played in the Cathedral for the first time in 98 years.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
We are ‘all shook up’ as one of the UK's leading Elvis tribute acts along with an incredible live band perform in 'Elvis by Candlelight' at Rochester Cathedral..Organised by Kinda Dusty.
Ticketed
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Colour your own Draco Roffensis on our special colouring sheets
Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th, Friday 31st 11:00 - 15:30
Thursday 30th 13.30 - 15:30
Free
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Part of the 2024 Organ Festival Series
Ben Bloor from The London Oratory will be performing.
Please note, this is a change to the advertised programme. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Tickets available online
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Draco Roffensis: The Rochester Dragon has been inspired by illuminated artwork found within the pages of Textus Roffensis.
The Cathedral will be open for visitors between 10:30 - 14:30. The Café in the Crypt will be open as usual and all services will continue to take place.
Around 300 volunteers help keep Rochester Cathedral running. Discover more about the different teams and come and meet some of the many volunteers who work here.
Flower Arrangers: Flower arranging displays at 11:00 and 12:00.
Embroiders: 11:00 - 15:00
Gardening Volunteers: 11:30 - 15:00 (In the Garth)
Sunday Club Volunteers: 12:00-14:00
Visitor Experience and Visitor Hospitality Volunteers: 11:00 - 15:00
Drop in, no need to pre-book
Sold Out Rochester Cathedral is opening its secret gardens to the public for one day this summer. Hidden behind the Cathedral are 3 acres of gardens. These are usually closed to the public but on the 8th June the gardens will be opened to ticket holders as part of a project to increase access to this beautiful space.
Ticketed
Direct from Carnegie Hall, New York and following a run of sell-out shows across the UK and Australia, join us for an incredible night of Queen Anthems, performed at Rochester Cathedral, by candlelight. Organised by Kinda Dusty.
Ticketed
Part of the 2024 Organ Festival Series
Jamie Rogers from Canterbury Cathedral will join us for our 2024 Organ Festival Series.
Tickets available online
We will be closed to visitors all day on the 6th July. All services will take place as usual and the Café will be open all day.
We will be closed to visitors all day on the 17th and 18th July. All services will take place as usual.
24 top British sports stars have collaborated with international award-winning sculptor, Louise Giblin, to have their hands life cast. The casts will go on display in the Crypt of Rochester Cathedral from the 19th July - 31st August.
Organised by Abigail’s Footsteps
We will be closed to visitors all day on the 24th and 25th July. All services will take place as usual.
Riddle your way across Rochester Cathedral with this special trail. Discover how Anglo-Saxon’s loved riddles and have a go at solving riddles old and new.
During Cathedral opening hours, free
Be inspired by Draco Roffensis with our fun family craft activities this summer. We’ve got a packed programme of different dragon themed activities for the whole family. More information on the individual activities to be released later in the summer. Subject to staff availability. Charges apply
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am - 3pm , 30th July - 30th August
Part of the 2024 Organ Festival Series
Charles Francis from the USA will join us for our 2024 Organ Festival Series.
Tickets available online
Find out more about Medway Archive Centre and the services offered. Medway Archives Centre aims to help everyone discover the stories of Medway’s people and places. They hold archival and published records from Medway.
Drop In
Part of the 2024 Organ Festival Series
Adrian Bawtree will be performing at this free family friendly Organ recital inspired by Draco Roffensis: The Rochester Dragon
This is a free recital
Featuring J’Adele, the UK’s leading Adele tribute and her incredible live band, ‘Rumour Has It’ that this is going to be an unforgettable evening packed full of best loved Adele Hits! Organised by Kinda Dusty.
Ticketed
Part of the 2024 Organ Festival Series
Katherine Dienes-Williams from Guildford Cathedral will join us for our 2024 Organ Festival Series.
Tickets available online
We will be closed to visitors all day on the 18th October. All services will take place as usual.
Join the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band for a world-class evening of music. Expect swinging versions of classic TV and Movie themes from the likes of James Bond, The Pink Panther, Peter Gunn, and Mission: Impossible – alongside Big Band and Swing favourites chosen from the BBC Big Band extensive library of music … plus a few surprises along the way!
Ticketed
Celebrated British Jazz pianist Jason Rebello will take to the stage on Thursday night. Inspired by Herbie Hancock he has worked with Sting, Jeff Beck, Wayne Shorter, Petter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Pee Wee Ellis, Joss Stone, Clare Teal and Ronnie Corbett.
Ticketed
Laurence Cottle pays tribute to Tower of Power who have been supplying us with 50 years of the funkiest music around. Since 1968, Tower of Power has delivered their unique brand of music to their fans, appearing before sold out crowds as they tour the world each year.
Ticketed
Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Trio, a truly unique and formidable acoustic band where interplay is paramount join forces with the exceptional Britten Sinfonia. This very special concert celebrates the trios 20th anniversary with the most ambitious project of Tim Garland’s stellar career.
Ticketed
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
We will be closed to visitors from 1pm. There may be some restrictions for access throughout the day. All services will take place as normal and the Café in the Crypt will be open.
Due to high level works there may be restricted access to the Cathedral on the 9th May.
Join our Head Gardener to explore some of Rochester Cathedral’s beautiful secret and public gardens.
Ticketed
We will be closed to visitors from 1.30pm. All services will take place as normal and the Café in the Crypt will be open.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Part of the 2024 Organ Festival Series
Jeremy Lloyd, Assistant Director of Music at Rochester Cathedral, performs this free recital as part of the Sweeps Festival. Performances will take place on Sunday at 13:00 and Monday at 12:00 and will last 1 hour.
This is a free recital
Coming to Rochester for the Sweeps Festival? Pop into Rochester Cathedral over the weekend. We’ve got live music, stunning architecture and a chance to discover 1400 years of history.
Discover more about the rarely seen Sir Joshua Reynolds painting of former Bishop of Rochester John Thomas. Professor Robin Simon will be speaking about this stunning painting of Bishop Thomas.
Ticketed
We will be tuning our organ during the day. We have to do this to keep all the pipes working correctly. It can be quite loud and disruptive so we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Celebrating the art of imitation, our 2024 Choral Pilgrimage explores music from the master of parody, Orlande de Lassus, alongside works by Josquin, Casulana and Bob Chilcott.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Part of the 2024 Organ Festival Series
Jeremy Lloyd, Assistant Director of Music at Rochester Cathedral, opens our 2024 Organ Festival series.
Tickets available online
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Due to activities within the Cathedral there will be restricted access to the Nave and the Quire throughout the day. We apologise for any disappointment caused.
Sold Out
An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema's most iconic music with a live chamber orchestra illuminated by light!
All are welcome to join us for our Dementia Awareness Day. Suitable for those living with or supporting those with dementia
The Café in the Crypt will be open at 11am on the 15th April. We apologise for any disappointment caused.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
We are delighted to be hosting a wedding in our Quire. During the service it will not be possible to visit the Quire but the rest of the Cathedral will remain open.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Second night added due to unprecedented demand
This international smash-hit tribute show brings all ABBA’s number one hits to the stage in a production like no other. The hugely popular show, now in its 20th year, with a brand-new show for 2023 combines the unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances by our all-star cast.
Friday 5th and Saturday 6th @ 7.30pm
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Join us at Rochester Cathedral over the Easter Holidays for family activities.
Make an Easter Cross Bookmark: 4th April 13:30-15:30, 8th April 11:00-13:00 (Free, donations welcome)
Brass Rubbing: 11th and 12th April 13:30-15:00 (£1)
Cathedral Safari and Eagle Eye trails are available daily.
Explore England’s second oldest cathedral with one of our experienced guides. 1400 years of fascinating history in 1 hour.
Join us on Easter Day. Services are free and open to all to attend.
05:30 The Easter Liturgy with baptisms and confirmations
08:00 Holy Communion (BCP)
10:30 The Eucharist of Easter Day
15:15 Solemn Evensong, Procession and Blessing of the Easter Garden
The Café in the Crypt will be closed all day on Good Friday. We apologise for any disappointment caused.
09:30 Choral Mattins
Three Hours’ Devotion:
12:00 Preaching the Cross
13:45 The Liturgy of Good Friday
10:30 The Chrism Eucharist
20:00 The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday
Rochester Cathedral
The Chapter Office
Garth House, The Precinct
Rochester
Kent, ME1 1SX
Telephone 01634 843366
Email info@rochestercathedral.org
Registered Charity Number 1206900
Cathedral opening hours 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday 1pm - 3pm Sunday
