Kent, the county known as the Garden of England is also home to the historic Roman city of Canterbury. Wandering the charming streets lined with half-timbered houses and olde-worlde pubs is almost like stepping into a bygone era. The picturesque cathedral city has been attracting visitors since the middle ages as a place for pilgrimage. It’s where Thomas Becket was murdered by Henry II’s knights and where the pilgrims from London in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales travelled to visit his shrine.
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The cathedral still remains a big draw, but visitors have so much more to see and do today. With a great mix of history, culture, and food here is a weekend guide to Canterbury to help navigate the city and the surrounding areas.
Here are some of the must-see places to visit in Canterbury, Kent.
Located in the heart of Canterbury, the tall towers of Canterbury Cathedral dominate the city’s skyline while the interior is one of the finest examples of gothic architecture. The original church dates back to 597 AD and visitors can take in its incredible 1400 years of rich history on a visit. It’s also the seat of the head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Throughout its history pilgrims from all over Europe have travelled to the site for the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket at the cathedral in 1170. You can stand on the very spot where Thomas Becket was murdered, and look at the crypts, tombs of Henry IV, and the medieval stained glass windows which are the oldest in Britain. The breathtaking building is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to visitors from 10 am – 5 pm.
Canterbury Cathedral | Cathedral House | 11 The Precincts | Canterbury | CT1 2EH | Website
The 60-foot height western gate of the city wall was built in 1310 and is England’s largest surviving medieval gateway. The Westgate Towers are well preserved and still in use today with traffic still passing between its drum towers. Head to the top for spectacular views over the city from the battlements. Visitors can also enjoy the Westgate Towers Museum. They can also try their hand at escaping the towers with historically themed escape rooms.
Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint | 1 Pound Lane | Canterbury | CT1 2BZ | Website
The tranquil area of Westgate Gardens lies on the River Stour and is home to an array of wildlife and watermeadows. It’s one of the most beautifully picturesque places to visit in Canterbury and when the flowers are in bloom, you could be easily mistaken for being in the English countryside. Enjoy a stroll or a picnic on the grounds, explore the wooded areas and Tannery Fields lookout for the 200-year-old Oriental Plane tree and a Norman arch thought to have been moved from the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey.
One of the most popular things to do in Canterbury during the warmer months is to take to the water and see the city from a different perspective. Canterbury Historic River Tours offers relaxing guided boat tours with a friendly tour guide. The tour takes you under the King’s Bridge. one of the working road bridges in Britain and will pass sites like Greyfriars Island and the 16th-century Old Weavers’ House. It’s the perfect way to explore the historic city.
Canterbury Historic River Tours | The Kings Bridge | St Peter’s St | Canterbury | CT1 2AT | Website
Canterbury’s central museum, library and art gallery occupies a beautiful Tudor Revival house on the High Street. Built during the late 1800s it’s named after Canterbury-born surgeon James George Beaney who emigrated to Australia and left £10,000 upon his death to Canterbury to build a museum.
James George Beaney, the Canterbury-born surgeon who emigrated to Australia and had a political career before leaving £10,000 to Canterbury to fund a museum. Recently modernised, it’s full of antiquities, and Greek and Egyptian artifacts including a mummified cat and a room of paintings by local artists, such as Thomas Sidney Cooper. There are regular special exhibitions featuring big-name artists, and regular community events and activities.
The Beany House of Art & Knowledge | 18 High St | Canterbury | CT1 2RA | Website
The city is easy to navigate on foot and the small alleys that run off the main streets are definitely worth exploring for some of the prettiest buildings and charming hidden spots. One of the most photographed historic buildings is Old Weavers House, a beautiful half-timbered building on the River Stour – and now a popular restaurant.
Another great photo opportunity is The Crooked House also known as Sir John Boys House. The wonky 17th-century half-timbered three-storey building looks like it’s about to fall over. Now it’s a second-hand bookshop – Catching Lives fund-raising for a homeless charity and is run entirely by volunteers.
Tip: Butchery Lane just off the High Street is a great photo spot with a viewpoint of the cathedral through the shopfronts of a picturesque alleyway.
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One of the best ways to discover a new city is to jump on a guided tour. CT Tours offers a range of themed tours from Classic Canterbury and Canterbury Stories to family interactive ones. For more details, check CT Tours.
When spending a weekend in Canterbury, consider these lovely eating spots and old pubs in Canterbury.
This quintessentially English, Tiny Tim’s is the most famous tea room in Canterbury. Located just off the High Street, the old building is supposedly haunted by three ghostly children, but don’t let that put you off. The freshly baked goods, in particular, the saucer-sized scones are not to be missed.
Tiny Tim’s Tea Room | 34 St Margaret’s St | Canterbury | CT1 2TG | Website
Canterbury is full of atmospheric old public houses and it’s hard to pin it down to one. I personally suggest a Canterbury pub crawl. However, The Parrot in Canterbury is well worth a visit as it’s the oldest pub in the city. Built on Roman foundations in the 14th century while the city’s famous cathedral was under construction, it holds on to many historical features. Enjoy modern food with a British twist under the exposed wooden beams and open fireplaces or a beautiful courtyard beer garden.
The Parrot | 1-9 Church Lane | St Radigunds St | Canterbury | CT1 2AG | Website
Canterbury is also home to craft beer bars and one of the most popular is The Foundry Brew Pub. It’s a unique craft brewery, distillery, restaurant, and bar located very close to the High Street. They offer 16 handcrafted, locally produced ales as well as 9 spirits distilled on-site. Book a brewery tour and learn about the craft process of handmade grain-to-glass while sampling a selection of ales and spirits.
The Foundry Brew Pub | 77 Stour Street | Canterbury | CT1 2NR | Website
Café des Amis is a very popular Mexican restaurant in Canterbury and a favourite of Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom. Born and bred in Canterbury (his parents are still residents), he claims – The food is outstanding – the best Mexican you’ll ever eat.
In a prime location, the quaint, old building overlooks the River Stour and Westgate Towers. They serve up Mexican cuisine with a Mediterranean twist and it’s all about sharing. Make sure you order the frozen margaritas!
Café des Amis | 95 St. Dunstans St | Canterbury | CT2 8AA | Website
Canterbury is a great base to explore Kent’s beautiful coastline and countryside. When planning an itinerary I’d highly recommend adding on extra days to experience the surrounding areas.
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Only twenty minutes from Canterbury is the bohemian seaside town of Whitstable, famous for its oyster trade, shingle beaches, and colourful beach huts. The Crab and Winkle Way is a great mainly traffic-free route between Canterbury and Whitstable. You can either cycle or walk the 7.5 miles which pass through stunning countryside and woodlands. Once you arrive there is so much to do in this Kent coastal town, so here are a few favourites:
The working harbour built in 1832 is known for its oysters and used predominantly by the whelk and oyster fishermen. In July they also celebrate with the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival which ends with crowning an Oyster King and Queen. The Harbour village is also a destination in its own right, the series of huts is home to handcrafted goods and fine art from artisans and food producers. Don’t miss out on trying the food offerings from the micro eateries, you’re spoilt for choice with fresh wraps, burgers, Thai and of course delicious fresh fish and oysters!
Take a stroll along the working harbour and visit one of the last oyster sailing yawls built in Whitstable. Part of a fleet of over 70 vessels that used to sustainably dredge for oysters, the Gamecock is now a registered National Historic ship. It is being slowly restored by volunteers using like-for-like materials and traditional techniques. It’s fascinating to see it return to its former glory and once completed will be used for sail-training, education programmes and support the local economy as part of Whitstable’s new Coastal trail.
One of the best ways to see the Kentish coastline is to hop aboard a coastal cruise. Whistable Vintage Lifeboat Trips is a local family business that offers amazing trips on an ex-Royal National Lifeboat called The Chieftain. Originally built in 1948 on the Isle of Wight, the beautiful vessel served for 33 years in Barmouth, Wales saving 132 lives.
The relaxed and friendly trips around the bay are thirty minutes and only £10 per person, five’s and under are half price. Longer Seal Safari trips are also available at £30 per person but are subject to weather and tide times.
A hotspot for independent boutiques and gift shops, a wander along the charming street lined with pretty little shopfronts is a must. The buildings have barely changed in over a hundred years, look closely and spot the original taxation stamps carved into the walls. Basically, a sign for the fire services back in the day to know which buildings to save in case of emergency.
TIP: Right next to Habour Street on the High Street is possibly the most photographed shop front in Whitstable, Wheelers Oyster Bar. The town’s oldest restaurant with a tiny oyster parlour and seafood bar, serving market-fresh seafood.
Carry on along the Whitstable front and you’ll stumble upon the suburb of Tankerton. Less known and therefore less crowded, this is where the locals hang out. The grassy banks slope down to the shingle beach lined with vibrant beach huts. At low tide walk along The Street which can take you right out to sea and explore the rock pools and sea life. Check out Jojo’s, a family-run meze and fish restaurant along the seafront serving freshly cooked homemade food with a Mediterranean influence. Their Greek-influenced meze platters are worth a try!
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Two miles east is the classic seaside town of Herne Bay, it dates back to 1100 when it was known as Hyrnan. Today it’s full of all the traditional seaside trappings to make a perfect family day out. Be sure to add these places to your visit:
The main attractions revolve around the shingle beach and pier. The typical Victorian seaside-style pier attracts thousands of visitors a year. It was once the longest pier in England until a storm in 1978 left it isolated out at sea. Enjoy the traditional rides from the carousel to helter-skelter, retail huts, and amusements. Try your hand at crabbing off the pier, pick up a kit from the many stalls, and grab a ‘how to’ guide. You’ll be a pro before you know it.
The Victorian bandstand houses the Visitor Centre and also where you’ll find musical events and children’s entertainment. Mind you nothing beats a traditional walk along the promenade with an ice cream in hand. Admire the seafront gardens alongside the striking Herne Bay clocktower, one of the tallest in the country.
Set on the edge of a cliff is Reculver Towers, the striking pair of 12th-century church towers are the oldest remains on the Herne Bay coast. Preserved as a landmark for sailors, they are visible for miles around. There are also earlier ruins on the site as the church was built on an old Roman fort, dating back to 200 AD. Parts of the east wall are still visible today, along with the ruins of a small guard chamber.
Reculver Tower and Roman Fort | Reculver Rd, Reculver | Herne Bay | CT6 6SS | Website
Kent is also home to some of the most picturesque wine estates in the country. The county’s south-facing chalky soil and mild climate provide excellent wine-growing conditions and are similar to the Champagne in France. In fact, Champagne producer Taittinger has landed in Kent, producing English sparkling wine.
Close to Canterbury is the Simpsons Wine Estate with 90 acres of vineyards in production in the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The owners have already been making award-winning wine in Southern France, but in 2012 bought their expertise back to the UK. Book a 2-hour vineyard tour and tasting, which begins with a walking tour of the idyllic Roman Road vineyard.
Learn about how the vines are planted, nurtured and harvested. Before returning to the state-of-the-art winery where you will see the wine-making process. The tour ends in the Glass House Tasting Room overlooking the winery whilst you enjoy tasting an array of English still and sparkling wines. Tastings are available at weekends for £25 per person.
Simpsons Wine Estate | The Barns | Church Lane | Barham | Canterbury | CT4 6PB | Website
Only 60 miles from London, Canterbury is a great option for a day trip or weekend stay. There are plenty of options suitable for all budgets.
The quickest and easiest way to reach Canterbury is on a high-speed train which takes just under an hour from London. Trains depart regularly from St Pancras International direct to Canterbury West. Trains also depart from Charing Cross and Victoria to either Canterbury West or Canterbury East.
Check availability and book train tickets
For more flexibility driving is also a good option. Driving from London to Canterbury taking the A2 and M2 takes 1.5 hours. Parking can be tricky if your accommodation doesn’t have a car park. If on a day trip consider the local park-and-ride scheme.
Check Prices and Book Hire Car
The cheapest and also the slowest option. Coach trips to Canterbury leave from London Victoria Station and take around 2 hours. Recommend if you’re on a budget and have time to spare.
Check availability and book coach tickets
Day trips from London Canterbury are a great option. Here are some guided tour picks which include more of the county:
Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, Dover, and Greenwich
Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and White Cliffs
Private Full-Day Tour: Kent, Canterbury & Dover from London
For more information on Canterbury head to the Visit Canterbury website.
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There are some great accommodation options in Canterbury. Below are some top picks.
Please note, this site contains affiliate links whereby I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps with the costs of running my blog so I can keep my content free for you. Thanks as always for your support!
See my full disclosure here.
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