10 great reasons to visit Canterbury
We take a look at all there is to see and do in historic Canterbury – perfect for adventure-filled days out or relaxing meals with friends or family.
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Canterbury is a city rich in history, making it a wonderful location to spend days out – for young and old alike. A cathedral city, it became the site of pilgrimages in the Middle Ages following the martyrdom of Thomas Becket in 1170. It is such pilgrimages from London to Canterbury that formed the basis for Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, a collection of 24 stories written in Middle English.
Canterbury is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is made up by Canterbury Cathedral (home to the principal leader of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury), the Church of St Martin (which is the oldest church in the English-speaking world) and the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey. With one million visitors per year, it is one of the most visited places in the country.
Popular with tourists, the city also has a large student population due to the number of schools and universities it offers, as well as having numerous sporting clubs, including Kent County Cricket Club, based at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury City FC and Canterbury RFC, who play at The Marine Travel Ground. The city also has one of the largest hockey clubs in the country – Canterbury Hockey Club.
Points of interest
It may seem obvious, but Canterbury Cathedral really is a must on your visit to the city, where you can discover the precincts, gardens, and history of the Cathedral with their tours. The Inside Story tour will tell you the history of the cathedral as you get to marvel at its architecture, effigies and stained glass, while they also have a Precincts Tour and one on the historis graffiti that can be found throughout the cathedral.
Also worth a visit is the part Roman, part Saxon, St Martin’s, which is the the oldest church in continuous use in the English-speaking world having been there since before 597AD. It was built during the Roman occupation of Britain, set up by St Augustine when he arrived from Rome to convert the English and contains many reused Roman bricks and walls of Roman tiles. Located just outside the city centre, it is part of a World Heritage Site alongside Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey. This Grade I listed building also has the remains of a Roman tomb at its core which were integrated into the structure. In its churchyard you will find the graves of artist Thomas Sidney Cooper, and Mary Tourtel, the creator of Rupert Bear.
Another must is a trip to Westgate Towers Museum and Viewpoint where you can uncover the story of England’s largest surviving medieval gateway and get to enjoy spectacular views of the city of Canterbury from the battlements viewpoint. Their exhibits cover four themes: City Wars, Crime & Punishment, Westgate Through History and Magna Carta & The Maquettes. While you are there – if you dare – head to their Escape Room set within the original felons' cells and former WWII communications post!
For a chilled out day, head to the River Stour where you can walk or cycle along its banks and admire the beauty of the wildlife that surrounds it. Or of you are looking for a more leisurely way to sightsee, then why not take a guided trip along the river with award-winning Canterbury Historic River Tours? Here they say you can learn about “Canterbury’s rich history told with insight and humour” or on a Chilling Tales tour you can hear gruesome stories from Canterbury’s darker past!
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Things to do
Immerse yourself in more than 2,000 years of history at The Canterbury Roman Museum offering “a fascinating and family-friendly insight into life in Roman Britain”. On a visit to the Kent’s only Roman museum you can explore the city’s history while you wander around the remains of an original Roman town house and Scheduled Ancient Monument. You will also get to see the UK’s only remaining in situ Roman pavement mosaics.
Or why not head to a show at The Marlowe? The theatre, which reopened in October 2011 after an extensive rebuild, has "since become one of this country’s leading regional theatres and an influential creative voice in our region”. There is a show for everyone, from stand ups to orchestral performances and dance to West End theatre, and when Christmas approaches there is of course the festive panto, perfect for all the family!
Located in a beautiful building on the High Street, is The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, where you can discover its exhibitions, events, workshops and activities that change throughout the year. Entrance is free, however a charge may apply for certain special exhibitions and events.
For an exciting day out for all the family in Canterbury head to Howletts Wild Animal Park – Kent's original wildlife park and award-winning attraction. You can explore a 90-acre adventure in beautiful ancient parkland at Howletts, which is home to over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas, leopards and monkeys than any zoo in the county – there are so many rare and endangered animals waiting to meet you.
Eating out
If you are looking for somewhere to stop off and get some refreshments and a well-earned rest during your day out, head to The Goods Shed which offers a “compact, seasonal menu which constantly changes, using the best local ingredients the market has to offer", with dishes prepared and cooked from the open kitchen, or outside on the grill. While you are there head down to the farmers market showcasing local produce and fine foods from an variety of independent suppliers and take some tasty treats home with you!
Another popular choice in the city is Café St Pierre, a small friendly establishment selling fresh French snacks, cakes and drinks.
Canterbury has a wide selection of restaurants to choose from, but why not try out The Corner House – a 16th Century former coach house overlooking the city walls offering a stylish restaurant that retains lots of its original character. Its menus change regularly to incorporate the best seasonal, local produce available.
For a slice of Italy in Canterbury head to Il Posticino – a cosy, rustic and friendly authentic Italian restaurant, where you can “delight your palate with traditional regional Italian flavours”. The food is freshly prepared and cooked using the best quality ingredients sourced locally where possible or imported directly from Italy for authenticity.
For a great cup of coffee head to Micro Roastery on Margaret Street. Here in the heart of Canterbury city centre they serve fresh roasted coffee to give you a boost on your travels, and you can also enjoy it once you are back home by picking up some of their beans to take with you. While their plan was to roast coffee in the shop whilst also selling fresh coffee and beans in one place, they soon needed more room, and while the roastery has moved to Aylesham its origins can still be seen on a visit to the coffee shop through its pipe system and “trusty little roaster” from when they first started out upstairs.
Another independent coffee shop to put on your list when visiting Canterbury is Lazix on Butchery Lane. At this coffee house and patisserie you can also enjoy a breakfast or brunch, gourmet sandwiches and bagels, a tasty salad or alternatively delight in a spot of afternoon tea.
Upcoming events in 2024
Canterbury Wine Festival: 17th & 18th May 2024
Immerse yourself in the world of Kent’s award-winning wines – meet its renowned vineyards, from all corners of the county, taste over 45 wines and take your favourites home, for an unforgettable wine-tasting experience. Discover the diversity and splendour of Kent wines, a unique experience under one roof at Westgate Hall’s two-day tasting event where you can sample the best of Kent’s wide-ranging viticulture.
• Visit westgatehall.org/canterbury-wine-festival/
Pride Canterbury: 8th & 9th June 2024
Pride Canterbury is a spectacular celebration of LGBTQ+ identity for the whole family. Featuring a parade through Canterbury High Street, followed by a diverse artist line-up, entertainment, marketplace, food, drink and more. Join tens of thousands in Canterbury for Kent’s biggest two-day pride event celebrating diversity, equality and progress.
• Visit pridecanterbury.com
Canterbury’s Medieval Pageant and Trail: 6th July 2024
An established highlight of the city’s summer season, this event will see thousands of spectators and participants descend on the city for a fun day in which you can explore all it has to offer.
• Visit canterburybid.co.uk/canterbury-medieval-pageant/
bOing! Family Festival: 24th & 25th August 2024
Kent's International Family Arts Festival offers lots of free outdoor performances and activities as well as ticketed indoor events. More details to be announced.
• Visit boingfestival.com
Canterbury Festival: 19th October – 2nd November 2024
Kent’s largest multi-arts festival showcases the best local, national and international acts in a fun-filled atmosphere, presenting an extravaganza of classical and contemporary music, theatre, comedy, talks, family events, science and more. This year marks the charity’s 40th birthday and events will take place at venues across the city including Canterbury Cathedral, The Malthouse, Kent College’s Great Hall, Westgate Hall and Canterbury Christ Church University. The full programme will be announced on 22nd July.
• Visit canterbury.co.uk/events/canterbury-festival-2024 & canterburyfestival.co.uk
So whether you are looking for a day out, a long weekend, or are a local who has just never fully explored the city, there is so much to enjoy in beautiful Canterbury.
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