Norman Staircase & Memorial court, Canterbury

At the north corner of Green Court, visitors will encounter one of the oldest and most evocative structures in the Canterbury Cathedral precinct: the Norman Staircase. Built around 1160 during the tenure of Prior Wibert, it formed part of the Poor Pilgrims鈥� Hall鈥攁n essential shelter for medieval pilgrims traveling to Canterbury. With its covered arches, sturdy stonework, and weathered elegance, the staircase originally provided access to the High Hall, a guesthouse known by several names, including Aula Nova and North Hall. Though much of the hall was demolished between the 18th and 19th centuries, the staircase endured and is now one of the best-preserved Norman staircases in England.

Today, the staircase remains part of The King鈥檚 School campus, one of the oldest continuously operating schools in the world. In centuries past, the school gathered here for formal occasions, and archbishops delivered addresses from the steps during visitations. In a notable moment of 20th-century history, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and the future Queen Elizabeth II presented the school鈥檚 Royal Charter from this very site in 1946. The stairs鈥� architectural features also share a lineage with Prior Wibert鈥檚 nearby 12th-century water tower, linking it closely to the broader monastic landscape of the precinct.

Adjacent to the staircase stands the Memorial Court, a tranquil garden space marked by an octagonal column topped with a cross. Erected after the First World War, it honors those from the community who died in the World Wars, providing a solemn counterpoint to the historic stone steps nearby.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Canterbury. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sight Name: Norman Staircase & Memorial court
Sight Location: Canterbury, England (See walking tours in Canterbury)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Canterbury Cathedral and Grounds

Walking Tours in Canterbury, England

Create Your Own Walk in Canterbury

Creating your own self-guided walk in Canterbury is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Canterbury Cathedral and Grounds

Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest churches that played a crucial role in English Christianity, stands within its own walled area, surrounded by Medieval buildings and ruins.

At the heart of this ensemble rises the cathedral itself, a magnificent example of medieval architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you enter, you'll pass through the imposing Christ Church Gate, a... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles

Canterbury Introduction Walking Tour

Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the most visited cities in England. Canterbury has a long history and has been occupied since Paleolithic times. It was the capital of the Celtic Cantiaci, Romans settled the area for centuries, and the site was the capital of the Kingdom of Kent.

Saint Augustine arrived in Canterbury in 597 to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

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