Destination guide
Canterbury
United Kingdom
Canterbury is a cathedral and university city in Kent, in the South East of England. Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and hence the Primus inter pares of the primates of each national church in the Anglican Communion and spiritual leader and senior clergyman of…
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When visiting the Cathedral, keep your ticket after your first entry; it is valid for repeat visits throughout the year, allowing you to return on quieter days to see the crypt and precincts without rushing.
Prioritize a river tour early in your visit; the view of the city's architecture from the water provides a completely different perspective than walking the high street and helps orient you to the city's medieval layout.
Seek out the Goods Shed near the station for your main meal; because it is housed in a converted engine shed and functions as a farmers' market, the menu relies on seasonal ingredients that change based on what is locally available.
Do not plan your itinerary around the Norman castle ruins, as the site is subject to closures for structural masonry repairs; instead, head to the West Gate Towers for a reliable elevated view of the city.
Look closely at the flint walls of St Martin's Church; the red bricks embedded within are remnants of Roman construction, marking this as the oldest parish church in England still in constant use.
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A Perfect Day in Canterbury: Medieval Streets, History & Stunning Views
🇬🇧 Canterbury City Guide: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go!
Canterbury England Travel Guide: 14 BEST Things To Do In Canterbury, UK
8 Top things to do in Canterbury on a Canterbury Day trip from London
Best Things To Do & See In Canterbury, England
Best time to go
Best window: May–October
Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By bus
Canterbury is well-served by buses which terminate at the main bus station at the end of the high street. Buses serve most destinations in East Kent.
On foot
It is recommended to walk as the town centre is quite compact; it takes only 10 min to walk down the semi-pedestrianised high street.
By taxi
Taxis in Canterbury are regulated by the city council. Charges are imposed uniformly by this regulation. Thus, £2.50 is the minimum charge for all taxis operating under the City Council of Canterbury.
By bicycle
Cyclists are welcome in Canterbury; the first stage of the 2007 Tour de France finished in the city. However, dedicated cycle paths are relatively few.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Canterbury Cathedral
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A UNESCO World Heritage cathedral where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170, marked today by a flickering candle and modern altar at the Martyrdom spot.
Vetted sources
St Augustine's Abbey
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
The ruined 6th-century abbey founded by St Augustine, part of the same UNESCO listing as the cathedral, where England's Christian conversion began.
Vetted sources
St Martin's Church
10-min walk, E from the centre, via Longport· Free
It is a part of the World Heritage site (Roman Shrine). It is the oldest parish church in England still in constant use. If you look at the flint walls, you can still see the red brick that was used by the Romans. Worth seeing.
Vetted sources
Canterbury Castle
· Free
The ruins of a Norman castle built in the 11th century. As of Nov 2023, it is closed to repair dangerous masonry.
Vetted sources
West Gate Towers
· Cheap
a small but fascinating collection of material about the tower and the history of Canterbury. The view from the open roof top is also excellent, allowing you to see up the high street all the way to the Cathedral.
Vetted sources
Cathedral Close
a roothed passage leads from the N side of the Cathedral to the Green Court
An area surrounding the Cathedral around Green Court, including:
Vetted sources
What to do
Canterbury Tales attraction
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A walk-through recreation of Chaucer's medieval pilgrim tales set inside a former church, animatronics and all, in the city Chaucer's pilgrims were heading to.
Vetted sources
River Stour punting tour
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A gentle punt along the River Stour under Canterbury's medieval bridges and past the backs of half-timbered houses.
Vetted sources
Bison Safari
Wealden Forest Park, Canterbury Rd, Herne Common CT6 7LQ
A collection of British animals in natural enclosures. Five European Bison were imported in 2022 as part of Blean Wilding Project, to act as ecosystem engineers.
Vetted sources
Kent CCC
A mile southeast of centre
Kent CCC were relegated in 2024 so they play in the Second Division of the County Championship. The limited-overs team is known as Kent Spitfires.
Vetted sources
Canterbury Historic River Tours
in the centre of Canterburys main street, by The Old Weavers Restaurant· Cheap
Guided river tour providing a light hearted commentary discovering some of Canterbury’s finest architecture set against outstanding views of natural scenery.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Goods Shed
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Station Rd W, CT2 8AN
Housed in an airy converted engine shed, the adjoining farmers' market reassuring the visitor that the traditional cuisine will be of the best quality.
Vetted sources
Thomas Becket
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
21 Best Ln, CT1 2JB
A small traditional pub in the city centre, offering excellent traditional British food.
Vetted sources
The Goods Shed
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A daily farmers' market and restaurant inside a Victorian railway shed, where the kitchen cooks whatever the stallholders sold that morning.
Vetted sources
Cafe Des Amis
over the roundabout from the Westgate towers· Moderate
A brilliant Mexican restaurant (with a French manager). A variety of fantastic Tex-Mex meals and very good frozen cocktails. Meals are not too cheap (starting for one course (or ~for breakfast/lunch), but are very much worth it.
Vetted sources
Old Weavers Restaurant
1-3 St Peter's St, CT1 2AT
A small restaurant located in an area that is sometimes referred to as "Little Italy". The Old Weavers is delightfully situated by one of the spurs of the River Stour and has patio area seating.
Vetted sources
The Ancient Raj
26 North Lane, CT2 7EE
A very nice curry house, with excellent, friendly staff housed in a converted tudor building. They have a live musician on Saturday nights. Note that the curries are very tasty, but not too hot (unless you ask for them hot!).
Vetted sources
Burgate Cafe
43 Burgate, CT1 2HW
Artisanal cafe in the Cathedral Quarter with vegan and gluten-free options.
Vetted sources
Where to stay
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
within Cathedral precinct· Expensive
Tranquil comfy B&B. Five rooms are in the Burgate building, on second floor with no lift and no cathedral view. No dogs.
The Pig at Bridge Place
5 miles southeast of city· Expensive
Stylish member of the Pig group with 30 rooms - 7 are "hop pickers huts" on stilts by the river. Great service and cuisine.
Vetted sources
The Dog at Wingham
7 miles east of Canterbury· Expensive
Restaurant and country pub with 8 rooms. Some noise from within and from busy road outside. Dogs welcome throughout.
Vetted sources
Ebury Hotel and Serviced Apartments
ten minute walk south of Canterbury· Expensive
Family owned hotel with indoor pool and serviced apartments, parking, gardens and restaurant.
Vetted sources
Canterbury Youth Hostel
Ellerslie, 54 New Dover Road, CT1 3DT· Moderate
69-bed hostel about a mile from the city centre.
Vetted sources
Art House Bed and Breakfast
ten minute walk north of Westgate· Expensive
Converted fire-station just outside of the city.
Vetted sources
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.