Why You Should Visit Canterbury in 2023
If your 2023 goals are to explore more of what is right on your doorstep, make sure Canterbury is on your list.
If you would like to hear more from us with local stories and information, email us here
The medieval city in Kent is the perfect year-round destination, and a great choice for people looking for sustainable ways to reach their staycations. Less than an hour from London on Southeastern’s high speed rail, the historic city is completely walkable and well connected to the coast and countryside.
Blooming with colour in the summer, misty and mysterious in the winter, and sparkling with festive delights at Christmas, you can pop down for a magical mini-break or treat yourself to an easy staycation in the Garden of England.
Here are some of the big things happening in Canterbury this year:
SPRING 2023
Build with a Lego Master
Join professional LEGO® Brick Artists and Designers Kevin Hall and Emily Corl (as seen on TV’s Celebrity Lego Masters at Christmas) for three days of Canterbury Cathedral-inspired LEGO-brick building workshops this February half-term. Running 14th, 15th and 16th February, these workshops will let you show off your awesome skills and the best builds will stay on display throughout the sessions. Free to kids and adults with the cathedral entrance fee on a first come first served basis. Visit https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/what-s-on/events/14-16feb2023-lego-workshops/
120 Years of Peter Rabbit
The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge celebrates the 120th birthday of Beatrix Potter’s beloved character in this special exhibition from Frederick Warne & Co from 18th February to 16th April. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne & Co. (now part of Penguin Random House UK) in 1902, and the “The World of Peter Rabbit™ Storytime Trail” allows visitors to hop into a walkthrough experience. Little bunnies will be able to crawl under the garden gate, hide in a watering can, and see their reflection in a mirror pool, just like Peter Rabbit! Visit https://canterburymuseums.co.uk/events/the-world-of-peter-rabbit-storytime-trail/
Valentine’s Day Ideas
Looking for a romantic short break? Canterbury is packed with cosy corners and cobbled streets for a dreamy stroll, plus there are plenty of jaw-dropping backdrops for the perfect proposal. Canterbury Cathedral is opening its precincts and nave for free especially on Valentine’s Day evening to allow people to propose in the hallowed space, with a themed evensong at 5.30pm and extended opening until 9pm. Visit https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/what-s-on/events/14feb2023-valentines-day-eternal-love/
Or why not book a romantic punt for two along the River Stour with Canterbury Punting Co? Head to herd. for a fillet steak that will set your heart racing. You may not get a table for February, but for a romantic treat any time of year splash out on a Michelin-starred meal at The Sportsman in Seasalter, The Fordwich Arms, or The Bridge Arms in Bridge. Book now!
Canterbury River Stour, © Visit Canterbury
Canterbury’s first Whiskey
Canterbury is distilling its first ever whiskey within the city walls in 2023. The Canterbury Brewers is launching Biggleston Yard, a single barrel, single malt that has been aged in a premium, first fill, ex-Bourbon barrel from Loretto, Kentucky and imparts delicious notes of vanilla and honey. As with everything from Canterbury Brewers & Distillers, it's brewed with the best quality English brewers malt and something extra special – wild yeast from Canterbury's own Saint Augustine's Abbey. More will be revealed at the launch in early March this year – exciting times for local Whiskey lovers!
Easter Extravaganza & Spring Produce
Easter egg hunts, seasonal trails, family activities indoors and outdoors, and plenty of time enjoying the spring weather in Kent – Easter is always egg-citing in Canterbury. Visitors can also try to spot spring arrivals at nearby wildlife parks including now world-famous Wildwood Trust (https://wildwoodtrust.org/) with its brown bears, wolves and free roaming bison (Leonardo DiCaprio is a fan!).
Spring means the city’s much-loved parks and public gardens come alive with colour, and you can enjoy the spoils of The Garden of England at The Goods Shed (https://thegoodsshed.co.uk/). This farmers’ market is open six days a week, and the restaurant offers the best dishes from local suppliers with mini-stalls serving coffee, cocktails, sweet treats, cheese, beer and wine, all under one roof in this former railway goods shed.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Canterbury Listed As One of Britain’s Top 10 Places Driving Positive Change
Canterbury Cathedral Cloisters, © Alex Hare
LOOKING AHEAD…
Summer Splendour
Canterbury Wine Festival is on 20th May – this celebration of some of the finest wines in England will return for its third year to Westgate Hall. Ticket holders will be able to sip and sample award-winning wines from Simpsons, Heppington, Balfour Hush Heath, Chartham and more. Bookings open soon. Visit https://www.westgatehall.org/canterbury-wine-festival/
There are Bank Holidays on 1st, 8th and 29th May! Not one, not two, but three bank holidays will fall in May due to the King’s Coronation, so make the most of the time and book a short break to Canterbury. The city will be in full bloom with plenty of fun-filled events taking place. You can even escape to the coast with a seaside break in Whitstable or Herne Bay
Pride Canterbury is on 10th & 11th June. One of the biggest Pride events in the South East will, for the first time, be a two-day event spread across the city. Details and line-ups are being confirmed, but expect more events, more venues and more sequins than ever before. More than 35,000-plus joined in 2022, so book your stay soon! Visit https://pridecanterbury.com/whats-on
Canterbury Medieval Pageant in on 1st July. Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Canterbury’s Medieval Pageant and Trail returns to the city on Saturday 1st July for plenty of medieval mayhem. Organised by Canterbury BID, this colourful parade and family day out is a magnet for history lovers and promises to be busier than ever this year. Full details coming soon.
bOing Family Festival is on 26th & 27th August. The free-to-enter, two-day international arts festival for families returns to The University of Kent campus in August with free performances, workshops, and activities from world-renowned artists and performers.
Many more events are in the works for the city, including an array of family-friendly events and screenings in the open air Whitefriars Shopping Centre, and the MyCanterbury discount card also promises another summer of lucrative offers and deals for shoppers (free to sign up).
Westgate Towers, © Alex Hare
AUTUMN
Wine & Beer Harvest. September marks the start of the harvest for Canterbury’s wine producers and beer makers, meaning some delicious seasonal beverages will be on offer! It’s the perfect time to visit the local award-winning vineyards as grapes are brought in and tasting events are rolled out in the wineries. And Green Hop Fortnight, led by Canterbury Brewers at The Foundry, celebrates the very limited-edition beers that Kent’s brewers produce using fresh hops at this crucial time of year with a public beer festival and special tourist trails around the city. Full details to be confirmed. Visit https://www.canterburybid.co.uk
Halloween Takeover. Having street names like Butchery Lane and a somewhat famous murder associated with the city's cathedral, is it any wonder Canterbury goes all out for Halloween? Expect giant monsters, trick or treat trails for the family, spooky installations, horror screenings and scary stories galore. Full details will be announced nearer the time.
Canterbury Festival is on 21st October to 4th November. The international arts festival returns for a two-week extravaganza of music, performance, talks, family events, science and more. Full programme to be released soon.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: What's Coming Up For You
Photo © Alex Hare
CHRISTMAS IS CANTERBURY
It’s never too early to think about Christmas. And Canterbury should be on everyone’s list in 2023. Why? A huge traditional Christmas market across three areas, city-wide festive lights against a backdrop of medieval streets and ancient buildings, a vast mix of independent shops and high street brands to cover your shopping needs, Dickensian charm meets gothic splendour, free open-air carol singing and atmospheric cathedral services and festive window competition means businesses go all out on their displays. It's still a hidden gem and easier to reach than other well-known markets in the UK and near Europe.
The annual lights switch on and Christmas Market launch is scheduled for Friday 10th November 2023.
For more information about what to see and do and where to stay in Canterbury, visit www.canterbury.co.uk and follow @visitcanterbury on social media.
Top & Homepage Image Canterbury UNESCO view, © John Hippisley
#VisitCanterbury #ThingsToDoWithTheFamilyInKent #IndexDigital
