The historic city of Canterbury
// Originally written for VisitBritain
The historic English city of Canterbury has been a famous cultural buff for a very long time. Its UNSESCO World Heritage historic centre and world famous Cathedral are just some of the things that makes it the perfect location for all history lovers out there.
Canterbury is located in Kent, Southeast-England, and dates back to the Romans, the Saxons and into the medieval era. It has been a European pilgrimage site of major importance for over 800 years and is rich in history and culture to say the least.
The Westgate Towers and gardens
Located north-west of Canterbury, you’ll find the historic landmark of Westgate Towers. One of the main gates to the ancient walled city and England’s largest medieval gateway. The scenic river Stour runs through the centre of the surrounding Westgate park, which makes it the perfect place to take a quiet stroll and enjoy a cup of coffee.
The city from a different perspective
Not far from Westgate park, you’ll find Canterbury Punting Company. Punting is an old, English tradition and is a fantastic way to see the historic market town from a different angel. Each tour runs through the heart of the city centre, along the river Stour. The route consists of old historic buildings, dating back to 1177 and it also takes you through a 50-yard dark and gloomy tunnel that used to be a mill run. Enjoy 45 minutes of history from a classic hand-built punt and local punters with years of knowledge.
Home to the famous Canterbury Cathedral
A visit to Canterbury is not complete without a stop by one of England’s oldest churches. Canterbury Cathedral is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican community and was one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in medieval England. It is most famously known for the assassination of Thomas Becket in 1170 and houses the tomb of Henry IV., the 1st Lancastrian king.
Founded in 597, the cathedral was completely rebuilt after a fire in 1174, and more recently the cathedral survived bombings during World War II. Firewatchers saved the cathedral by throwing hundreds of burning incendiary bombs off the roof!
Diving deep into history
Canterbury has managed to survive centuries of history which much of its medieval character still intact. So there is more than enough to dig into from the past.
St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, was sent by the Pope in 597AD to re-establish Christianity in southern England. Ruins of the monastery built by Augustine still remain right outside the city walls. It is home to one of the most important religious sites of England.
Other medieval buildings you will be able to find in the town include the Great Abbey Gate, the Canterbury Heritage Museum, the ruins of Canterbury Castle and St. Martin’s Church. The best part about Canterbury is that all important sights are close by and do not require anything else but a little walking.
Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine’s Abbey, and St. Martin’s Church were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1988.
More than just a walk through the past
This beautiful city is filled with cultural sites and is full of history, but there is more to it than just that. Stroll around the picturesque side streets that are home to smaller shops, pubs and restaurants. Visit art galleries and local coffee shops and don’t miss out on the towns local market every Wednesday and Friday. Fine art, jewellery, clothing, crafts and antiques are just some of the offerings to tempt you in Canterbury. It is a small town, where the centre is closed to traffic during daytime, so the streets and attractions are more easily accessible and enjoyed.
Quirky gems
When strolling around town, make sure to take a picture at crooked Sir John Boys House, one of the most photographed buildings in Canterbury. It is located at the end of Palace Street and houses today a bookshop that is free to enter. Just make sure not to tilt.
Another stop on your tour should be Old Weavers House. It dates back to 1500 and is located right next to the river. The story is the Elizabeth I granted refugees, fleeing from persecution in Europe, a chance to set up business and it used to house weavers. Today it is a restaurant and local pub with a lovely garden along the river.
Butchery Lane is also a must see, which reminds us a lot of The Shambles in York. Beyond the lane you can see the 72-meter-high tower of Canterbury Cathedral and the beautiful old buildings filling the lane. Most buildings on the right hand side have been rebuilt however, as the original buildings were damaged in the bombing of World War II.
Mandatory fuel stop
After a trip down memory lane, exploring the historic sites of Canterbury, a well-deserved fuel stop is mandatory. And what’s better than the Moat Tea Room? This quirky building has had many uses over its long and varied history (suitable for Canterbury’s history, don’t you think?). It has been a family home, an antiques shop, a glass repairers and in 1998 it turned into a traditional English tea room. They also have a courtyard garden tucked behind the main building, which is the perfect place to enjoy an Afternoon Tea on a sunny day.
How to get there?
Canterbury is just under 1 hour from St Pancras London with high speed train. If you come directly from an airport, London Gatwick is the closest one. You can also drive from the capital to Canterbury, which takes about two hours.
Lots of love from Henriette Sophia
