At all of the churches we’ve been to – St. Paul’s Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey – the city has been organized in a way that highlights the church. Modern buildings in London are built in ways that frame St. Paul’s. Salisbury Cathedral is surrounded by a large green space, allowing open views of the cathedral. At Westminster Abbey there is a large plaza in front of the church, setting the church apart from the surrounding city.
At Canterbury, however, they seemed to go to every effort to hide the cathedral. After walking for a bit, we saw the top of the spire through an alley, but then it disappeared again. We saw part of it through the gate, but couldn’t see anymore without paying. At the cathedral gift shop, there was a single window with a view of the side of the cathedral. To me, it seems the town of Canterbury is doing all they can to keep the cathedral to themselves – only allowing those who have paid to see the interior access to see the exterior. Canterbury Cathedral is like a precious jewel that is hidden inside the town.
One of the few views of the cathedral through an alley
The view of Canterbury Cathedral through the entrance gate.
The view from the gift shop window.