The city of Canterbury is like a beacon set among beautiful Garden of England scenery. From any approach, the first glimpse is usually of its magnificent cathedral – a reminder that people have been making pilgrimages here for centuries. UNESCO have recognised Canterbury as a World Heritage Site, showcasing milestones in the history of Christianity in Britain, but it is not just this that they come for. Bustling and compact, Canterbury has all the advantages of a modern city with shops, pavement cafes, pubs and restaurants sitting side-by-side with stunning Gothic architecture, great museums, medieval timbered buildings, peaceful parks, historic churches and a beautiful river at its heart.
Travel from Dover Terminal: Approximately 30 mins, 19 miles
Coach Parking: 48 spaces at Kingsmead Road Car Park; £15 for 12 hrs
Allow: Up to 2 hrs
Canterbury is packed with fascinating architecture and history which is best explored on foot. Circling the city are parts of the medieval walls, including the impressively intact Westgate Tower, a medieval gateway which houses a small museum. More of the city’s history is revealed at the Canterbury Roman and Heritage Museums while the Canterbury Tales visitor attraction brings Geoffrey Chaucer’s literature to life. Step outside the city walls to visit St Augustine’s
Abbey and St Martin’s Church, the oldest church in England, which together with the cathedral form part of a World Heritage Site.
CANTERBURY HISTORIC RIVER TOURS
Canterbury Historic River Tours offer guided trips on the River Stour which flows through the
city and passes some of its most interesting buildings and sights. Passengers can sit back and
enjoy the ride as a knowledgeable guide and oarsman reveals points of interest from the 13thcentury
chapel of Greyfriars, the oldest example of Franciscan architecture in the country, to
the modern Marlowe Theatre. The tour also passes under two 12th-century bridges and
medieval industrial buildings including the timbered Old Weavers Cottage, offering a new
perspective on the city.
Allow: 1 hr 30 mins
The city of Canterbury revolves around its World Heritage-listed cathedral. Visitors enter the cathedral precincts through the ornate Christ Church Gateway to see the full splendour of this impressive building. It is the oldest cathedral in England, the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and has been one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage sites since the middle ages
when the then Archbishop Thomas Beckett was murdered there. Visitors can stand in the spot the murder took place in the Martrydom, view England’s most important collection of early medieval stained glass and marvel at the ornate carvings in the Cloister.
For a full day trip, allow more time to explore the city or combine with a visit to the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham?
10 Best Lane Canterbury Kent CT1 2JB