Cathedral Cloister Buildings

The Cathedral Cloister Buildings are the ruins of the claustral buildings from the cathedral priory of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, primarily dating from the 12th century, with some modifications from the early 13th century. Uniquely, the cloister is located adjacent to the southern parts of the eastern end of the cathedral rather than the southern nave aisle and main transept. The structures are mainly built of ragstone, but little remains above ground level of the southern range except for the Cloister Gate.

To the south lies the site of the Refectory, featuring round-headed openings, and immediately adjacent is a small two-bay vaulted 13th-century Lavatorium, which is accessed through a pointed arch adorned with a cusped inner order and decorated with dog-tooth motifs, supported by keeled shafts. These remains, along with the associated walling that may include Roman materials, are situated beneath and partially support the 19th-century Garth and Cloister Houses.

To the east, there is intersecting blank arcading and a doorway leading to the former Dormitory from the middle third of the 12th century, which features Tournai marble shafts—a rare sight in England—and a weathered relief depicting the Sacrifice of Isaac. To the left is a tripartite entrance to the Chapter House, which has lancets above connected by blind niches. The Chapter House is rectangular in plan and includes intersecting wall arcading with some alterations from the 15th century. It is also connected to the King's School. For a detailed description and evaluation, refer to Newman’s "West Kent and the Weald, Buildings of England."