In the morning, after a coffee break, we will meet the guide who is taking us around the cathedral. St Augustine arrived in Britain in 597AD and soon started building the first cathedral in Canterbury, very little of which now remains. After a major fire destroyed the original structure, Archbishop Lanfranc completely rebuilt the cathedral in the Norman style in 1070 and established a Benedictine monastery, but the cathedral you see today is the result of additions and alterations over a period of 900 years, including the rebuilding of the North West Tower in 1834. The most famous Archbishop, Thomas Becket, was murdered in the cathedral in 1170 and in 1220 his remains were placed in a magnificent shrine. This shrine was destroyed and the monastery dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540 when he broke with Rome. When the guided tour is finished you will be free to wander around the cathedral on your own.
After lunch (not included) we are being taken on an optional guided tour of the Stonemason’s Workshop. This will provide a fascinating overview of current projects and give us a rare opportunity to experience the work being carried out to preserve this magnificent cathedral.
We leave for home at around 4.00pm
Leaders: Sue Willis (07973 507338) and Sheila Knight (07811 085917)
PLEASE NOTE EARLY COACH DEPARTURE TIMES
8.45am Brockham
8.55am Dorking Halls
9.00am Opposite Waitrose
9.05am Bus Stop near Knoll Road
Cost: £39.50 or £59.50 to include a guided tour of the Stonemason’s Workshop.