The Festival aims to provide excellent access for our visitors. We are however, restricted by the design of some of Canterbury’s older buildings, meaning that our venues have varying levels of accessibility.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer free or reduced carer tickets to festival events.

Guide dogs are welcome in all venues. Wheelchair bays and accessible seats are available in many venues. If you would like to book wheelchair seats, or to ensure there is suitable space for your guide dog or other accessibility aid, please contact the Box Office on 01227 457568 or by email at [email protected].

Augustine Hall:
Rhodaus Town, Canterbury, CT1 2YA

• Entry – Accessible entry is via the main door by the ramp. There is complete access throughout the building, with lifts to other floors and a flat auditorium.

• Parking – The nearest car park is Holman’s Meadow car park which has 11 dedicated disabled bays.

• Seating – Loose seating with steel frame and mesh seat. Wheelchair spaces are available on the central aisle. Please contact the Box Office to reserve these spaces.

• Toilets – Adapted toilets are available on each floor.

Hearing loop available and guide dogs welcome.

Canterbury Cathedral:
The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH

• Entry – Accessible entry to the Nave is via the North West door. There is a lift by the Dean’s Steps on the north east side of the Cathedral to enable step-free access to the Quire.

• Parking – Limited number of Blue Badge spaces available – contact the Festival Office to submit a reservation.

• Seating – Loose seating in rows with hard back and seat. Wheelchair spaces are available on the central aisle of the Nave. Please contact the Box Office to reserve these spaces.

• Toilets – Adapted toilets are at the South East end of the car park. Please note there are no toilets within the Cathedral itself.

Hearing loop available in the Nave, no hearing loop in the Crypt or Quire, guide dogs welcome.

The Great Hall:
Kent College, Whitstable Road, Canterbury CT2 9DT

• Entry – Flat access from the main entrance into the auditorium from foyer.

• Parking – Car park adjacent to building, accessed via Neal’s Place Road – approximately three minutes from venue entrance via a flat path. Limited Blue Badge spaces at the front of the venue can be reserved via Canterbury Festival Box Office.

• Seating – Fixed seating with soft back and seat. 4 Spaces for wheelchair users are available on the ground floor with accompanying chairs. Please contact the Box Office to reserve these spaces.

• Toilets – Adapted toilet available on the ground floor, entered via the foyer.

Hearing loop available and guide dogs welcome.

Please note that a member of staff will be operating the blue badge parking zone barrier. As such it is important to have booked your Blue Badge space in advance.

Gulbenkian Arts Centre and Colyer Fergusson:
University of Kent, Canterbury, CT1 7NB

• Entry – Flat access into auditorium from main foyer, box office and bar area, lift available to Colyer-Fergusson balcony seats.

• Parking – Car park adjacent to building – free after 5pm – approximately three minutes from venue entrance via a flat path. Blue Badge spaces can be reserved via the Gulbenkian Box Office.

• Seating – Fixed seating with soft back and seat, space for wheelchair users available at front of auditorium. Please contact the Gulbenkian to reserve these seats.

• Toilets – Adapted toilet available in the foyer on the ground floor.

Hearing loop available and guide dogs welcome.

Malthouse Theatre:
St Stephens Road, Canterbury, CT2 7JA

• Entry – Flat access from the main entrance on Malthouse Road into auditorium from foyer. A staircase and lift give access to all levels.

• Parking – Limited Blue Badge spaces at the front of the venue can be reserved via Canterbury Festival Box Office.

• Seating – Loose stepped seating is located closest to the stage with raked stepped seating towards the back of the auditorium. Two wheelchair spaces are available on the right and left, set on the ground floor. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and have two accompanying seats for guests. Please contact the box office to reserve these spaces.

• Toilets – Adapted toilet available on the ground floor, entered via the foyer.

Infra-red audio headsets are available from the venue Box Office and guide dogs welcome.

Please note that a member of staff will be operating the blue badge parking zone barrier. As such it is important to have booked your space in advance.

St Gregory’s Centre for Music:
North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1ND

• Entry – Flat access from the main entrance on North Holmes Road to auditorium.
  
• Parking – Blue Badge parking in St Gregory’s car park – free after 5pm. Alternatively, there is free Blue Badge parking all day on North Holmes Road. Car Park is gravel, so it may be necessary to drop-off at the paved entrance initially.
  
• Seating – Movable seating with soft back and seat, space for wheelchair users at front of auditorium.  Please contact the Box Office to reserve these spaces.
  
• Toilets – Adapted toilet available on the ground floor.

Hearing loop available and guide dogs welcome.

Shirley Hall:
The King’s School, Through Mint Yard, The Borough, CT1 2EZ

• Entry – Access is via an outside lift* and up a ramp. Staff are available to assist if necessary.
  
• Parking – Limited number of Blue Badge spaces available – contact the Festival Office to submit a reservation.
  
• Seating – Heavy, linked seating with semi-soft back and seat. Wheelchair spaces are available on the central and outer aisles on a first-come-first served basis. Please contact the Box Office to reserve these spaces.
  
• Toilets – the toilets are downstairs and not accessible without leaving the venue – nearest adapted toilet is under the hall accessed via lift* or steps. Staff are available to assist if necessary.

Hearing loop not available. Guide dogs welcome.

* Please note there is a sharp turn to exit the lift at the top.

Festival Club at Westgate Hall:
Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, CT1 2BT

• Entry – Flat access from the main entrance on Westgate Hall Road into the hall from foyer.
• Parking – Pound Lane Car Park is adjacent to building. Blue Badge spaces are available but must be registered with Canterbury City Council in advance to receive 3 hours free parking. Otherwise, you will be charged the standard hourly rate.
• Seating – Loose seating in rows with semi-soft back and seat. Wheelchair spaces are available on the central aisle. Please contact the Box Office to reserve these spaces.
• Toilets – Adapted toilet available on the ground floor, entered via the foyer.

Hearing loop available and guide dogs welcome.

Canterbury Festival cannot accept responsibility for accessibility of Exhibitions, Artists’ Open Houses Trails and Umbrella events.