Things to see and do at St. Augustine's Abbey
Visiting St Augustine’s Abbey will give you an amazing insight into the early years of Christianity in this country. As well as exploring the ruins, you can immerse yourself in the site with an excellent audio tour, browse the museum, relax in the grounds and pick up a treat in the gift shop.
Explore Abbey Ruins
Stroll around the impressive remains of this great abbey, founded shortly after AD 597 by St Augustine and marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England.
An excellent audio tour is included in the admission price, in English, French or Japanese. It describes the history of the abbey from St Augustine's arrival in Kent and the founding of the monastery, to the Dissolution under Henry VIII, the abbey's decline and then its revival in the 19th century.
Browse the Museum
Discover finds unearthed during archaeological work at this former burial place for the Anglo Saxon Kings of Kent.
The museum at St Augustine’s Abbey contains artefacts and stone carvings found at the Abbey during excavations.
There’s a wide range of objects covering many centuries, including a skeleton and the costumes worn by actors playing King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha of Kent in a celebration of St Augustine's arrival in Kent.
Don’t miss the short video which gives details of the different phases of building on the site accompanied by reconstructions.
Play some games
Try out our games and hands on activities in the Abbey museum. Kids can try on monks robes for size, or can challenge each other to a game of snakes and abbots.
Try our VR Exhibit
Pop on a headset and see the Abbey brought to life before your eyes with our virtual reality exhibit. Our recreation will let you see what the Abbey might have looked like in its heyday.