Canterbury

About

The World Heritage Site of Canterbury in Kent is home to some of the most historic (and best-known) buildings in Britain - from the ancient 6th Century St. Martin's Church to the towering Canterbury Cathedral.

With such character and prestige, it's no wonder that Canterbury is one of the most popular destinations in the south.

Things to do and see in Canterbury

• Don't miss the stunning Canterbury Cathedral – particularly the ancient crypt beneath the monastery.
• Head into the Roman Museum to see a whole range of artefacts and excavations, including a stunning Roman town house, complete with preserved mosaics.
• Poet Geoffrey Chaucer (1345 – 1400) wrote about the antics of a group of pilgrims.  
• Wander around the beautiful, award-winning Dane John Gardens - located right in the heart of the city.

If you're interested in British history, you're spoilt for choice. You can find a Roman city wall (rebuilt in the 14th Century), the oldest school in England (The King's School) and ancient preserved mosaics. Take the city wall trail and it will lead you past dozens of historic buildings and ruins.

Canterbury Cathedral itself is a stunning piece of architecture, as well as a place of worship and pilgrimage. It's these pilgrimages (which began after the murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170) which inspired the timeless Geoffrey Chaucer classic, the Canterbury Tales.

Canterbury also offers a great range of modern attractions, from excellent shops and restaurants, to lively bars and is a great base for touring the surrounding countryside too, with easy day trips to Whitstable and Dover.

Towns & villages near Canterbury

Explore the local area and find out why Kent is acclaimed the garden of England with these places near Canterbury

• Chilham (5 miles)
• Whitstable (6 miles)
• Herne Bay (7 miles)
• Faversham (8 miles)
• Elham (9 miles)