Canterbury Cathedral

Three decades of craft, conservation, and continuity

Introduction

For over 30 years, we have supported the Surveyor to the Fabric of Canterbury Cathedral— one of the pre-eminent religious sites in the world. Amongst the oldest of Christian structures in the UK and as the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion, the Cathedral holds both profound spiritual significance and architectural brilliance. Accordingly, it is UNESCO designated as part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site.

Our partnership has covered a wide array of works, from forescasting and overseeing planned prevenative maintenance to implementing transformative conservation and development works. Working with the Cathedral’s in-house crafts and conservation teams, we have delivered award-winning work to many areas of the Cathedral’s fabric.

This has included the meticulous restoration of the 12th century Corona Chapel, one-time location to the reliquary of Thomas Becket’s skull; the rebuilding of the 15th century Great South Window; re-roofing and repair of the vaults and flying buttresses of Henry Yevele’s astonishing 14th century perpendicular gothic nave, also the site of one of the first underfloor heating conversions to a Grade I-listed Cathedral, which we pioneered back in 1992.

In the Precinct we work with the Cathedral and their many tenants and neighbours, supporting the care, repair and development of listed buildings, landscape gardens and scheduled ancient monuments. Notable works include the complete refurbishment of the Grade I-listed Choir House and Grade II*-listed Old Palace, installation of a new lift in the Treasury Yard, and overhaul of the Archive and Cathedral Libraries to better protect and make accessible the Cathedral’s written collections.

In all our activities, we support the Surveyor to the Fabric’s guiding principle of ‘as much as necessary, as little as possible’.

Christchurch Gate

Most recently, we have completed the complex restoration of Christchurch Gate, a Grade I-listed building constructed around 1520 andthe last major project of the monastery prior to disolution at the reformation. It forms the main entrance to the cathedral precincts and is one of Canterbury’s most celebrated landmarks. The initial scaffolding came down at the end of 2022, after a five-year restoration, revealing renewed, brightly coloured polychromy. Works are presently in-hand to conserve the portals, notabled for their transitional style between gothic and renaissance. This emblematic project, befitting of its status as the architectural prelude to the Cathedral, will complete in 2026 with the conversion of the Chambers to a self-contained holiday let.

Great South Window

Our work at Canterbury Cathedral exemplifies cutting-edge conservation, combining advanced monitoring technology with traditional craftsmanship. A key focus has been the restoration of the Great South Window, which houses some of the world’s most significant 12th-century stained glass, including the most complete Genealogy of Christ in mediaeval art. Following substantial structural failure, we led a detailed investigative programme to guide the necessary repairs. The rebuilt window, which contains many original stones in its tracery, is designed to withstand increasingly extreme climate conditions.

Stained Glass

Alongside the Cathedral’s stained-glass studio, we have developed a thorough understanding of both theoretical and physical best practice in the care and presentation of historic painted glass. Bespoke systems have been designed for the nave clerestory, Trinity Chapel ‘Miracle windows’, and the remarkable 12th century South Oculus. This 5m wide round window has received innovative repair to preserve its historic iron space frame external cage, whilst internally, a hand-forged replica ferramenta has been crafted by the cathedral’s blacksmith to support the historic glass panels and accommodate new protective glazing—allowing historic fabric to safely bear modern interventions.

New stained-glass windows have been installed in the Cloisters, continuing the tradition of contemporary interventions and creativity in all art forms, enriching the place for worshippers and visitors alike.

Heritage Skills

Purcell plays an active role in the support of Canterbury Cathedral’s skilled in-house team of masons, glaziers, carpenters, and plumbers. We provide learning and teaching support to those on the Cathedral Workshop Fellowship (CWF), the craft based apprenticeship scheme set up and supported by 12 of the anglican cathedrals. These craftspeople play a vital role in the ongoing care of the cathedral and its precincts, ensuring work is carried out with deep understanding of traditional techniques. By collaborating closely with this team, we help to preserve and pass on essential heritage skills, safeguarding both the fabric of the cathedral and the craftsmanship that has sustained it for centuries.

Our committment to the city follows with our teaching on the University of Kent’s MSc in Conservation, where students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines spend time at the Cathedral developing their own conservation understatnding and skills.

The Cathedral often plays host to Purcell’s in-house Conservation School, our annual introduction to building conservation. The hands-on, site based programme is open to all members of staff eager to develop their skills and deepen their understanding of historic buildings and conservation approaches.

Read about the conservation school