If there’s one thing England does really well, it’s old historic cities. Cobblestone streets, leaning buildings that look like they’re about to fall at any minute, the timber frames standing stark against the white painted buildings. Cathedrals are dotted in cities that just seem too small to warrant one, and they usually have some kind of old city walls or gate to enter the city.
And Canterbury is no different. It’s one of the old English cities built by the Romans, and even just the cathedral dates back to 597AD. It’s charming, compact and a day trip to Canterbury is a great choice! Read on to find out what there is to see and do in Canterbury, where to find the best coffee shops to recharge and how best to get around the city.
Where is Canterbury?
Located in the English county of Kent, Canterbury sits in the luscious greenery of the South East of England. This part of England is made up of lots of small towns and villages, with typically British seaside towns lining the coast. Canterbury is one of, if not the, largest city in the area, despite still not being overly big itself.
Top Sights to See in Canterbury
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is definitely not a ‘hidden’ gem in this historic city and is instead an essential stop on your day trip to Canterbury.
Founded in 597 AD by St. Augustine, it has been the spiritual centre of the Church of England for centuries. The cathedral’s stunning Gothic architecture, epic spires, and gorgeous stained glass windows will no doubt captivate you once you make your way in.
Inside, you’ll find intricate stone carvings, serene cloisters, and the site of Thomas Becket’s martyrdom in 1170, which has made the cathedral a pilgrimage destination.
It’s quite pricey to visit inside Canterbury Cathedral,
but if you’re on a budget then it’s still worth checking out the outside.
You can turn up and buy tickets on the day, or book in advance on the cathedral website to secure your slot and skip the queue. Or, enjoy a self-guided tour around the cathedral with the audio guide for a deeper appreciation of the rich history and explore the hidden corners. There’s more to visit than just the cathedral itself, the surrounding grounds offer calming gardens and quaint pathways, perfect for a stroll.
The Crooked House
The Crooked House in Canterbury is a charming 17th-century building famous for its slightly concerning tilt. You’ll find it on Palace Street, not far from Canterbury Cathedral, and it’s certainly a sight to be seen on your day trip to Canterbury.
From the outside, you may find yourself wondering how on earth it is still standing, but also what happened to cause it to lean so much. If you’re not from the UK then just to confirm, we don’t intentionally build our buildings in this way! The lean of the Crooked House was caused by an internal chimney slipping, but it has been reinforced with a steel frame to keep it sturdy and safe. Just check out that doorway though!
Although this is a quick and easy sight to see from the outside as you pass between other places in the city, it’s also worth popping inside. The building has changed hands a number of times over the years. Having lived a life as a gallery, music shop and clothing store, these days it’s home to Catching Lives Bookshop, a bookstore (surprise!) that sells second-hand books in support of the homeless community.
Canterbury War Memorial
The Canterbury War Memorial, sitting just outside the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral grounds, stands as a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives in the first and second world wars. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and unveiled in 1921, it’s been a constant landmark in Buttermarket Square despite the vandalism efforts over the years.
Buttermarket is a lovely square to pass through and check out, surrounded by historic architecture and bustling with life at most times of the day. When the weather is nice you’ll often find a busker in front of the memorial, and the walking tours crowding by as they stop to admire it on their way to tour the cathedral.
Shopping
You’re probably not coming to Canterbury for a day trip to do a spot of shopping, but you’ll find a mix of a shopping centre and charming independent shops across the city centre. The typical high street chain stores are all located within Whitefriars Centre, a mostly outdoor collection of shopping lanes.
Further into the city centre you’ll find the independent shops that are smaller and a bit more quirky.
Canterbury Historic River Tours
Not so much a sight to see in Canterbury, but a relaxing alternative to walking everywhere while still getting to see a different side to the city.
The traditional punts – that’s the boat – are steered along the canals by the knowledgable guides. You won’t see any of the ‘big sights’ from the canal tours, but the scenery is really pretty and you get to pass under a few picturesque bridges.
Tours are usually around 45 minutes long, and the thought of gliding along the calm rivers on a warm, sunny day sounds like the perfect way to spend the time!
Westgate Towers & City Walls
Take a stroll along Canterbury’s ancient city walls and make your way to the iconic Westgate Towers, the city’s most prominent medieval gatehouse. Dating back to around 1380, it’s the last remaining gate in the city from the seven which were originally built hundreds of years ago.
Visitors can climb to the top for stunning panoramic views of Canterbury, visit the modest museum or enjoy a drink in The Pound, a nod to the towers’ history as a jail.
St. Augustine’s Abbey
Explore the ruins of St. Augustine’s Abbey just outside the city walls, once a thriving Benedictine monastery and a symbol of England’s Christian heritage. It’s part of the Canterbury World Heritage site, and offers visitors a chance to wander through the tranquil grounds, marvel at the remains of the abbey church, and soak in the relaxing atmosphere of this historic site.
Walk Part of the Canterbury Camino
Canterbury sits on the path of four different camino routes, each a special pilgrimage undertaken. While not as famous as Spain’s Camino de Santiago, the Canterbury camino routes can stretch between 100km to 1000 miles. Yes, 1000 miles. Of course, you don’t need to commit to the whole 100km or 1000 miles, but if you’re interesting in trying a stretch of the route this is the perfect opportunity!
Best Canterbury Coffee Shops for a Pitstop
The charming cobblestone city is full of coffee shops and cafes to explore, but the two best centrally located coffee shops I stopped at and would 100% recommend are Lost Sheep Coffee and Baker + Barista.
Lost Sheep Coffee is owned by a couple who fell in love with coffee on their Australian travels, and brought a taste of the Aussie coffee culture back to the UK. They roast their own coffee beans in nearby Whitstable, and the coffee is just divine. So much so, I’ve ordered some to enjoy at home, many times! As well as great coffee and baked goods, they also offer a light brunch menu. It’s a small place so not one you’ll pitch up in to work from, but great for a quick bite or takeout coffee.
I loved the coffee from Lost Sheep Coffee so much, their at-home coffee is
now a regular order for me to be able to make their coffee at home!
Bakers + Baristas is actually one of a chain, though the care and dedication they display in the shop doesn’t feel like a chain coffee shop! It’s got a prime location on the main street running through Canterbury city centre, perfect for doing a spot of people watching. There’s a good spread of cakes, bakes and sandwiches on offer, and another place in Canterbury with great coffee.
There are of course plenty of coffee shops and cafes to explore in Canterbury, these are just my tried and tested recommendations.
Cat cafes are a growing trend for cat lovers and animal lovers in general. Canterbury won’t disappoint, as you’ll find a cat cafe in the city centre, close to the cathedral with the wonderfully creative name, Canterbury Tails Cat Cafe.
If you’re more of a tea drinker than a coffee fiend, be sure to check out Teastones on Sun Street. It has more tea blends than you can shake a cup at, and plenty that you can buy to try at home too. There are a few tables inside but it has a real cosy, community feel to it which is lovely.
Where to Eat in Canterbury
Canterbury is a university city, which means many students…and many places to eat. You’ll find a number of chains along the High Street running through the centre, but venture a little off the main high street and you’ll start to find the lesser known chains and independent places.
How to Get Around
Canterbury city centre is very compact and very charming with all the cobble stones, so the best (and probably only) way to get around the city centre is on foot. There are a number of walking tours you can sign up for, or self-guided walking tours are also available if you’d prefer to explore at your own pace but still get the fun and interesting facts about the city.
It’s not really a mode of travel to sightsee in Canterbury, but you can enjoy a boat ride along the river. It’s not quite a gondola ride in Venice, but on a sunny day it’s a lovely way to see Canterbury from a different perspective.
How to Get to Canterbury
Train: Canterbury has two train stations, Canterbury East and Canterbury West. Chances are if you’re coming from London or one of the surrounding seaside towns you’ll be arriving at Canterbury West. It’s a short walk from the train station into Canterbury city centre.
London to Canterbury by train: from 55 minutes to 1hr 45 minutes, depending which London station you depart from, as several have direct overground routes to Canterbury.
Car: It’s a lovely drive to Canterbury through the Kent countryside, and there are car parks located centrally that also serve the city’s shopping centre. There’s also a park and ride service if you’d prefer to park for a bit cheaper, but you can check the car park situation on the local council website.
Coach: It takes between 2 – 2.5 hours by coach from London to Canterbury.
Foot: By foot? Yep, by foot! Canterbury is on the route of 4 different pilgrimage walks similar to the famous Spanish Camino, ranging from London to Canterbury, Rochester to Ramsgate (via Canterbury) all the way to the big one, 1000 miles along the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. Let’s just say, it’s not impossible to reach Canterbury by foot but also not for the faint hearted!
When to Visit Canterbury
A city that is great to explore in the sunshine, and still pretty in the rain, there’s not really a bad time to visit Canterbury.
Spring and autumn in the city bring mild days, better chance of nice weather and comfortable temperatures to wander the streets during the day. Winter may bring the cold and higher chance of rain, but there is also the pull of the Christmas market and lights. And of course, summer will give you the best chance of good weather, t-shirt temperatures and the opportunity to enjoy coffee in the sunshine.
Got Longer Than a Day?
If you’ve got the weekend free and want to use Canterbury as a base to explore the Kent area, there are plenty of cool towns along the coast to explore. Easily accessible by train are Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate, while towns such as Whitstable and Herne Bay on the north coast of the Kent area are easily reachable by bus and are also charming English seaside towns.
Could you spend 2 days in Canterbury instead? Sure, but you can easily see most of the city centre in one day and it’d probably be a lot of coffee shop stops if you have 2 days in the city.
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