St Augustine’s Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey founded in AD 598 on Longport in Canterbury, Kent, managed by English Heritage as part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the 2026/27 admission prices, valid from 28 March 2026. The abbey now includes a VR experience allowing visitors to walk through a digital reconstruction of the 16th-century monastery — absent from older guides. There is no on-site parking and no café.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Longport, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1PF |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–5pm (summer); reduced days in winter (see below) |
| Adult ticket | £9.26–£12.32 depending on date and day |
| Nearest train | Canterbury East or Canterbury West (~1 mile on foot from either) |
| Parking | No on-site parking; charged pay-and-display opposite (not managed by English Heritage) |
| Time needed | 1–1.5 hours |
St Augustine’s Abbey opening hours
The 2026/27 schedule (28 March 2026 – 16 March 2027): 28 Mar – 24 Oct, daily 10am–5pm; 25 Oct – 1 Nov, daily 10am–4pm; 2 Nov – 12 Feb, Sat–Sun only, 10am–4pm; 13–21 Feb (half-term), daily 10am–4pm; 22 Feb – 16 Mar, Sat–Sun only, 10am–4pm; 24–26 Dec, closed. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Opening hours last updated in March 2026.
St Augustine’s Abbey ticket prices
English Heritage members enter free. Concessions apply to visitors aged 65+, students with a valid ID, and jobseekers with relevant ID. A free audio tour is included.
Super Saver — Mon–Fri, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; daily, 2 Nov–16 Mar
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £9.26 |
| Concession | £8.50 |
| Child | £4.59 |
Saver — Sat–Sun & bank holidays, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; Mon–Fri, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £10.79 |
| Concession | £10.03 |
| Child | £5.35 |
Standard — Sat–Sun & bank holidays, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £12.32 |
| Concession | £11.56 |
| Child | £6.12 |
Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount. St Augustine’s Abbey is not included in the London Pass. Ticket prices last updated in March 2026.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to get to St Augustine’s Abbey
The abbey is on Longport, off the A257, approximately a quarter of a mile east of Canterbury Cathedral. Both Canterbury East (Southeastern from London Victoria, ~1 hr 30 min) and Canterbury West (High Speed from London St Pancras, ~1 hr) are approximately 1 mile away; Canterbury East routes most directly to Longport along the A257. Multiple bus services stop at Barton Court School on the A257; check traveline.info for routes. By car, use postcode CT1 1PF; Canterbury falls within the ULEZ outer boundary. Bike racks are on site.
Parking at St Augustine’s Abbey
There is no English Heritage car park. A charged pay-and-display car park is directly opposite the entrance on Longport — not managed by English Heritage, so charges apply to all visitors including members. Additional paid city centre car parks are within walking distance. Public transport is strongly recommended. There is no coach bay at the entrance; group operators should contact English Heritage in advance.
How long to spend at St Augustine’s Abbey
Most visitors spend 1 to 1.5 hours at this underrated English Heritage site. The ruins, museum, Saxon graves, VR experience, and audio tour can all be seen within this time. Allow additional time if combining with Canterbury Cathedral or St Martin’s Church as part of a World Heritage Site visit.
Accessibility at St Augustine’s Abbey
Most paths are level or gently sloping. The main uneven section near the Saxon graves has a wooden walkway providing wheelchair access. Manual wheelchair users are advised to visit with an assistant as some areas involve rough ground. Pushchairs are welcome but face the same challenges in uneven sections. Baby-changing facilities are available on site. The ruins have sheer drops — visitors should keep to the paths and not climb on walls or ruins. Ball games are not permitted. Dogs on leads and assistance dogs are welcome. The audio tour is available in English, French, and Japanese.
Inside St Augustine’s Abbey: what to see
St Augustine’s is the oldest Benedictine monastery in England and a core part of the Canterbury UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the Cathedral and St Martin’s Church. Founded in AD 598 by St Augustine on land given by King Ethelbert and his queen Bertha, it housed a monastic community for nearly 1,000 years until the Dissolution in 1538.
The ruins include the foundations of the Saxon church of SS Peter and Paul (614 AD), the larger Norman church that replaced it, and the monastic domestic buildings. The 14th-century Fyndon Gate stands to its full height. The scale of the Norman church — larger than Canterbury Cathedral at the time of construction — is conveyed through exposed foundations and interpretation panels. Several buildings at the northern edge form part of the King’s School and are not publicly accessible.
Under a protective portico at the far end of the Saxon foundations, the Saxon graves mark the burial sites of the first eight archbishops of Canterbury and the grave markers of St Ethelbert and St Bertha.
The museum and exhibition trace the abbey’s full history: from Augustine’s mission through Norman rebuilding, its conversion into a Tudor royal palace by Henry VIII (used to receive Anne of Cleves in 1539), and its later life as a Victorian missionary college. The VR experience uses headsets to take visitors into a digital reconstruction of the monastery as it appeared in the early 16th century — one of the most immersive interpretive features at any English Heritage site. Monks’ habits can be borrowed for dressing up. The audio tour (included, English/French/Japanese) is the best way to navigate the extensive ruins.
There is no café. The gift shop sells drinks, snacks, and ice creams. A picnic area is in the grounds; independent cafés are a short walk away on Longport and in the city centre.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| No parking on site | The pay-and-display car park opposite charges all visitors, including EH members. Public transport is strongly recommended. |
| No café on site | Gift shop sells drinks and snacks. A picnic area is in the grounds; cafés are a short walk in the city centre. |
| Use the audio tour | Included in admission and the best way to make sense of the ruins. Available in English, French, and Japanese. |
| Try the VR experience | Capacity may be limited at busy times — arrive early. |
| Keep to the paths | The ruins have sheer drops. Do not climb on walls. Ball games are not permitted. |
| World Heritage Site combination | Canterbury Cathedral and St Martin’s Church are within 10 minutes on foot. St Martin’s is free; the Cathedral charges separately. |
Frequently asked questions about St Augustine’s Abbey
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is St Augustine’s Abbey part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site? | Yes — one of three sites alongside Canterbury Cathedral and St Martin’s Church. |
| Is there parking at St Augustine’s Abbey? | No English Heritage car park. A charged pay-and-display is directly opposite; costs apply to all visitors including members. |
| Is there a café? | No. The gift shop sells drinks and snacks; a picnic area is in the grounds. |
| Is St Augustine’s Abbey suitable for children? | Yes. The VR experience, monks’ habits, audio tour, and open grounds all suit children. Keep them to the paths — some sections have sheer drops. |
| Is St Augustine’s Abbey accessible for wheelchair users? | Mostly, with assistance. Most paths are level. A wooden walkway covers the main uneven section. Manual wheelchair users should visit with an assistant. |
| Is St Augustine’s Abbey free for English Heritage members? | Yes. Members enter free and can bring up to six children free. The opposite car park is not managed by EH; parking charges still apply. |
Things to do near St Augustine’s Abbey
Canterbury Cathedral (~300 metres) is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and charges a separate admission. St Martin’s Church (~400 metres east) is the oldest church in continuous use in the English-speaking world and is free to visit. Canterbury Roman Museum (city centre) is built over a Roman town house with an intact mosaic floor and charges for entry. The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge (city centre) is free. Dover Castle (English Heritage), ~15 miles south-east, is one of England’s largest medieval fortresses; members enter free.
More Kent travel
Other Kent travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- A practical guide to visiting Chatham Historic Dockyard.
- A practical guide to visiting Hever Castle.
- A practical guide to visiting Chartwell.
- A practical guide to visiting Leeds Castle.
- What you need to know before visiting Walmer Castle and Gardens on the Kent coast.
