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Bookings

Because the building is a busy and active Cathedral church, catering for the surrounding businesses, charities, schools and colleges, as well as a destination for increasing numbers of visitors, we strongly encourage all groups to pre-book their visit. Mandatory prices are in operation for all group visits.

Bookings should be made through the Visitors’ Officer (tel: 020 7367 6734; fax: 020 7367 6730; e-mail: david.payne@southwark.anglican.org)

We are willing to consider group visits 7 days per week, although these are subject to services and other activities taking place.

Prices

*Groups in excess of 25 will usually be allocated two or more guides

Tour Companies / Operators: Please contact our Visitors’ Officer for trade rates.

Please note that the maximum number permitted entry with an external guide / leader is set at 53 people. To qualify for concessionary rates the minimum number per group is 10.

All prices are inclusive of VAT at 17.5%

Each booked tour will be allocated a time-slot of one hour; this period may be extended at no additional cost upon request.

Cathedral guided tours are usually of 90 minutes duration.

No single tour group will have exclusive use of the Cathedral and there will be occasions when other tours are taking place concurrently. In these circumstances we ask tour guides to follow the directions of Cathedral staff as to the route they should take around the building.

Payment methods

Payment for tours can be made in one of three ways:

Cash – payable on the day, for which a receipt will be issued upon request.

Cheque – payable either in advance, on receipt of a VAT invoice, or on the day, for which a receipt will be issued upon request.

Company Voucher System – for which a VAT invoice will subsequently be issued.

The Cathedral reserves the right to refuse to operate the voucher system where previous invoices remain outstanding more than 28 days from the date of issue.

Further information

The nearest coach drop off point is in Southwark Street.

The nearest stations are:
Mainline - London Bridge;
Underground - London Bridge and Monument

Accessibility

A leaflet has been produced to assist our disabled and impaired visitors. Copies of Access for people with special needs can be obtained from our Visitors’ Officer. They can also be down-loaded here:

Familiarisation visits

Group organizers, or external guides, wishing to arrange a familiarisation visit are most welcome. Please contact our Visitors’ Officer to arrange.

Group Entrance to Cathedral

We request that group entry to the Cathedral be via the North (Riverside) Millennium Courtyard entrance. Unless otherwise advised, this is the assembly point for groups meeting our Cathedral Guides.

By entering the Cathedral complex from this doorway, groups may visit the Archaeological Chamber before proceeding along Lancelot’s Link, the glazed internal street, towards the Cathedral floor itself.

Hourly Prayers

The Cathedral has established the practice of having hourly prayers throughout the day from 1030 to 1630. These are led by our Day Chaplains and last approximately two minutes. During the prayers, all visitors are requested to remain still and are invited to join in the saying of the Lord’s Prayer, in their own language. Tour Guides should be made aware of this and are requested to encourage all within their group to comply, wherever they may be within the Cathedral.

Please also note that the Harvard Chapel is reserved for private prayer. Whilst members of your group may enter, it is not permitted for a tour guide to speak to their group inside this Chapel.
 

Photography and filming

You are also reminded of the current Cathedral policy with regard to photography and video filming within the Cathedral during visits. The Cathedral permits visitors to take photographs or to film subject to the pre-purchase of permits. The current charges per person are:

Cameras £2.00
Video Recording £5.00

Permits may be purchased from a member of our Welcomers Team within the Cathedral or the Cathedral Shop.

Please note that the purchase of a permit does not permit filming during Services or Concerts. Separate rates apply for commercial photography and filming.
 

Other Visitor Facilities

We encourage you to provide time within your itineraries for group members to visit our Cathedral Shop. This is situated on the North (River) side of the Cathedral. The Shop carries a range of Cathedral souvenirs, cards, books and gift items. Open Monday to Saturday 1000 to 1800; Sunday 1200 to 1800. [Closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day]

There is also a Cathedral Refectory. This is assisted-service and has a bistro-style menu with appeals to all tastes. It is operated by Prestige Experience. Set in a tranquil courtyard-setting, it is an ideal venue for morning coffee and afternoon teas before or after your Cathedral tour. These can be individually purchased although the Refectory is willing to accept group bookings for both morning coffee and afternoon tea. (Minimum number 10 / maximum number 40). British breakfasts and lunches are also available. Open Monday to Friday from 0830 to 1800; Saturday and Sunday 1000 to 1800. (Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day)

For bookings or further enquiries please contact the Refectory Manager: tel: 020 7407 5740; fax: 020 7407 5840; e-mail: southwark@sodexo.com

If you are interested in our Conference facilities please contact our Conference Co-ordinator, Helen Caruth on 020 7367 6722; E-mail: helen.caruth@southwark.anglican.org

Toilets are located at the West End of Lancelot’s Link, the glazed internal street. The Ladies toilets are located in an alcove near the upper Shop entrance. The Gents toilets are located down the steps towards the floor of the Cathedral on the right-hand side. There is also an accessible toilet at the West end (RADAR key controlled). This toilet also has a baby changing facility. For those buying food or drink, the Cathedral Refectory also has toilet facilities, which are located through the door on the right-hand side at the far (street) end of the room and then down a flight of stairs.

We look forward to receiving your booking in due course. In the meantime should you wish to discuss any aspect of the above, or require any additional help in arranging or planning group visits to Southwark Cathedral please do not hesitate to contact our Visitors' Officer: david.payne@southwark.anglican.org; tel: 020 7367 6734

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