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New Time and Tide beer festival to be held in grounds of Canterbury Cathedral

12:07, 16 February 2024

updated: 09:28, 19 February 2024

A beer festival is set to be held in the grounds of cash-strapped Canterbury Cathedral.

Bosses at the Kent landmark have confirmed it will host the two-day event later this year, with the announcement hot on the heels of controversial but highly popular silent discos earlier this month.

The beer festival will be held within the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, at the Cathedral Lodge Hotel’s conference and event centre
The beer festival will be held within the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, at the Cathedral Lodge Hotel’s conference and event centre

The move comes as the Church of England looks for new ways of shoring up funds and bringing people into the holy space.

Time and Tide Brewery will put on the Kent Beer and Food Festival on Friday, November 8, and Saturday, November 9.

However, the Eastry-based beer manufacturer stirred confusion after an Instagram post shared to promote the event was mysteriously deleted.

The festival is expected to celebrate local producers and the county’s brewing tradition in the Cathedral Lodge Hotel’s conference and event centre.

It will be an indoor ticketed event in the auditorium and Kentish Barn, within the Cathedral grounds.

There were huge crowds at the silent discos within Canterbury Cathedral’s nave
There were huge crowds at the silent discos within Canterbury Cathedral’s nave

While details are scarce, more information on the festival is expected soon, alongside guest brewery announcements.

It comes after sell-out silent discos saw revellers take to the Cathedral for ‘90s-themed parties, playing the likes of the Vengaboys, Britney Spears, Spice Girls and Eminem.

Some 3,000 partygoers descended on the landmark across two days, much to the disdain of angry Christians who prayed in protest outside the events.

A petition to halt future events – declaring “the madness must end” – also attracted more than 2,000 signatures.

But the discos proved hugely popular, with Canterbury Cathedral receiving letters of support in abundance.

A spokesperson says they have also not received any complaints or concerns about the beer festival.

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