Canterbury's Hidden Vaults Open
New archaeological work in Canterbury has revealed hidden vaults that are now being made accessible to the public. The discovery offers visitors a deeper experience of the medieval city's rich past beneath its famous cathedral.
The newly accessible spaces are a result of "The Canterbury Journey," a £34.5 million project that concluded in November 2022. This extensive, multi-year conservation effort focused on preserving the cathedral's fabric and enhancing the visitor experience. A major outcome of the project is a new permanent exhibition in the Cathedral's atmospheric Crypt, titled 'Making History: Church, State and Conflict'. This exhibition, opened in February 2022, allows the public to see a unique collection of the Cathedral's treasures for the first time in this setting. On display within the crypt are remarkable artifacts, including the battle shield and gauntlets of Edward, The Black Prince. Visitors can also view the Accord of Winchester, an 11th-century document establishing the primacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, bearing the marks of William the Conqueror and his queen, Matilda. The conservation work provided opportunities for extensive archaeological investigation by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust. Excavations ahead of the works uncovered a sequence of structures, including the remains of the original Anglo-Saxon cathedral just below the floor of the 1786 nave. In addition to the crypt exhibition, "The Canterbury Journey" project has opened up other previously unseen areas. New displays have been created within the medieval Water Tower and the Library Undercroft, further expanding public access to the cathedral's extensive history.
