Boarding at Choir House

Introduction

Choir House is reserved for the choristers of Canterbury Cathedral, and is a delightful and historic building within the Cathedral Precincts. It is again overseen by resident house parents, assisted by a resident matron and tutors.

Boarding is full time for the choristers of the "XVI", in keeping with their commitments as part of the Cathedral Choir, whilst probationer choristers can have the option of weekly boarding.

Choir’s Return Home Hits Right Note

After more than a year of living away from the Cathedral Precincts, the Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral have been able to return to their home, Choir House.

Work on the restoration began more than three years ago and involved detailed discussions between the Cathedral, the School and architects Purcell Miller Tritton about the scope of the work. Planning permission and Listed Building consent were also needed from English Heritage and Canterbury City Council, owing to the architectural and historical importance of the building before the building programme could begin.

The complexity of the renovation was considerable due to the age of the property and included re-ordering the internal layout of the building, providing new accommodation for the housemaster’s family; building new music practice rooms; improving the fire escapes; renewing all the internal heating, plumbing, and electrical wiring; upgrading the sleeping and washing facilities; re-landscaping the garden, and carrying out a complete programme of redecoration.

The refurbishment work was carried out by W W Martin of Ramsgate and the refurbished building was officially re-opened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, on the 27th April 2008.