Seriously impressive accessibility to an ancient Cathedral
5
5
Date of visit: June 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: disabled toilet, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Excellent
WOW! Seriously, for an ancient building with such historic value the work (that I was told was recent) that they have carried out to make this one of the most accessible historic buildings I have visited both here in the UK and around much of Europe is nothing short of astounding. Obviously, there are areas that it would be, currently, impossible or incredibly difficult, to make accessible, but, they have done an amazing job of making this really accessible (as a wheelchair user) (I am not in a position to know about accessibility from other perspectives). There is a 'non-cobbled' alternative entrance, incredibly helpful staff on hand. Lifts, ramps and a great map which highlights the accessible features. There is a lift up to the upper level which when you exit has automatic opening solid oak doors. There is even accessible access to the Crypt. One of the lifts asks that you reverse in for safety when exiting. This lift has helpful tape stuck to the floor outside the lift door enabling you to line yourself up correctly/centrally to be able to reverse into the lift safely.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Canterbury itself has a lot of cobbles but I found them not the worst cobbles I have been on. The Cathedral itself has wide open paths and areas outside with a non-cobbled alternative entrance. Inside the Cathedral, it is set over multiple levels but there are lifts and ramps giving plentiful access to most areas (not all).
Accessible facilities: Lift to some areas
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
There are a number of accessible toilets on site at the Cathedral. The one that I used was fantastic, it was spacious enough that even large power chairs would have no problem getting in and would have plenty of space to turn around in. They were clean and well maintained. There were push buttons on the heavy doors situated nearby to assist with opening them and staff only too happy to help. I did feel unable to use one of the other accessible toilets in the outside area as the unisex accessible toilet was situated inside the entrance to the female toilets. As there were many many groups of school children around it felt inappropriate to be entering that accessible toilet as a man.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
Incredibly welcoming, helpful and I got the sense that there had been widespread disability awareness training :)
