Visitor Facilities & Information
Visitor Centre
Enter through the visitor centre. Here you can learn more about St Augustine and Augustus Pugin through the displays.
Temporary and semi-permanent exhibitions rotate in the display areas in the cloisters.
Self-guided Tours and Audio Tours
Sheets are available for you to guide yourself around St Augustine’s.
Children
St Augustine’s has many visual attractions. We have children’s sheets available, including an ‘animal safari’! Please enquire at the reception desk.
Photography
Entry is free, take as many photographs as you wish. Photographs must be for your own personal use. Commercial or publishing photography must have permission in advance.
Other Places Nearby
- St Augustine’s Cross – near Cliffsend (English Heritage, free)
- Minster Abbey – the chapel is always open, and it is possible to book tours in advance
- St Mary’s Church, Minster – an imposing church, once on the sea shore! The church is open daily throughout the year – usually 9am-5pm. There are guided tours on most Saturdays, 12pm and 2pm and by arrangement (please call 07958 813577).
- Fordwich Church – see the “Fordwich Stone”, believed to be part of St Augustine’s tomb.
- The Canterbury World Heritage Site comprising St Martin’s Church, St Augustine’s Abbey (English Heritage), and Canterbury Cathedral.
- Eastbridge Hospital, Canterbury – medieval pilgrim accommodation, now a museum and almshouses
Guided Tours
Full Guided tours are available most days.
Guided tours may be booked in advance for visiting groups.
Guide Book
A guide book, entitled A Flint Seaside Church is available for purchase in the shop.
Toilets
We have toilets available on site for visitors.
Visit Thanet
There’s lots going on in the local area. A visit to St Augustine’s is often linked to a trip to the seaside. Thanet has many award-winning beaches, and excellent new ventures. Ramsgate has the UK’s only Royal Harbour, with wonderful cafés and other places to see.
Look at Visit Thanet to see the sights and latest events.
Disabled Access
Access to St Augustine’s can be challenging because of many steps. Nevertheless it is possible to access many areas with a wheelchair. Enter the visitor centre via the main door of the Church using the ramp in the north cloister. Access to the main body of the Church is on the south side through the ramps in the south porch. To get to the south porch take the gate to the left of the visitor centre and follow the path around the Church.
Toilets are accessed via the East Cloister. Disabled toilets are at ground level with no steps. Please supervise toilet visits at all times.
Our guides and welcomers are there to help you at all times during open hours. Please email if you need special assistance and let us know that you are coming: augustineshrine@rcaos.org.uk