Canterbury - Best Attractions in Kent's Most Historic Town

Canterbury is a medieval cathedral city in East Kent, which is renowned for its deep rooted Christian history and Roman Rule. The historic city is situated on the scenic banks of the River Stour. Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited cities in England. Cobblestoned streets lined with historic buildings, shops and cafes fill the city center. While the lush green riverside and ancient city walls provide calmness.

*View of the River Stour and the Westgate Tower in Canterbury, Kent*

The Canterbury Cathedral and the Roman Ruins of St Augustines Abbey give a historic background to England's medieval past. The city has so much to explore and in this post we're going to take a look at its best sights and rich history.

The History of Canterbury, Kent

The history of Canterbury is steeped in Roman Rule and has always had a strong connection to the Roman Catholic Church. In the 1st Century AD, the Romans captured the small settlement known today as Canterbury. They transformed Canterbury into a town by building its own theatre, baths, temple, and forum.

*St Augustine’s Abbey, an ancient Christian Monastery*

The Romans later left Canterbury after being unable to defend the town against barbarians. Hundreds of years later the Roman Pope Gregory the Great sent his monk named Augustine back to England. His mission was to convert King Ethelbert to Christianity.

The Romans had denounced their pagan past and converted to Christianity, they wanted to spread the word of their new religion and England was once again their destination.

*Ancient ruins of St Augustine’s Monastery*

Augustine was successful in his mission and he and King Ethelbert decided on Canterbury to be home to one of the greatest cathedrals in Britain. Thus, Augustine was made the first Archbishop of Canterbury, cementing Canterbury as one of the most vital towns to England's Christian and Roman history.

Getting to Canterbury

Trains from Kings Cross Station, London will take you directly to Canterbury West train station. The journey is very fast and only takes around 1 hour. If you are traveling from London to Canterbury by car it is just under 2-hours drive to reach this beautiful Kent town. Both forms of transport are convenient.

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most significant religious sites in England. The Archbishop of Canterbury has long been the leader of the Church of England and each newly appointed Archbishop has been designated to the city of Canterbury and its historic cathedral. The cathedral was built in 597 AD and was later rebuilt several times over the years.

Today, Canterbury Cathedral stands tall in the city centre and attracts countless local visitors and tourists. People flock to the World Heritage Site to see its magnificent architecture and stained glass windows.

Visiting the cathedral requires a ticket which you can either book online or buy on the day. If you would like to experience medieval Canterbury and its Christian roots then this incredible cathedral is a must-see.

City Wall

The ancient city wall of Canterbury is an historic landmark originally built by the Romans around 270 AD. The city wall was later rebuilt several times throughout history in an attempt to kea the town of Canterbury safe.

During the second world war the walls were bombed with parts of the wall taking damage. Despite this, much of this ancient wall is still standing today and is a symbol of the resilience that Canterbury showed throughout history.

Westgate Gardens

Westgate Gardens is a historic park situated along the banks of the River Stour. It is thought to be one of the oldest parks in England and is located right outside the ancient city walls. The park is a great place to have a picnic and relax.

The scenic views here are beautiful and the surroundings of the old city walls give you the feeling of being in ancient Canterbury.

Westgate Towers

The Westgate is an ancient city gate positioned along the city wall of Canterbury. The large gate tower was built in 1379 and stands 60 feet high. The gate is a prominent landmark of Canterbury and sits just outside the old town making it the main gateway to the historic city centre.

The Westgate Towers is the highest surviving medieval gatehouse in England. The gate is an impressive structure and a worthy place to visit.

Westgate Museum

Visiting the West Gate Museum is a must for those looking to immerse themselves in Canterbury's history. The West Gate Museum is located inside the Westgate Towers and gives visitors an insight into how old Canterbury functioned and what kind of role it played in medieval Britain.

The museum even details recent Canterbury's recent history. The tower is said to offer excellent views of the old town, presenting an opportunity to take some great photos.

Canterbury Tales Museum

The Canterbury Tales is a series of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer. The stories are told from the perspective of a group of Pilgrims that travel from London to Canterbury embarking on a mission to see the Shrine of Saint Tomas Beckett.

The tales have gained much notoriety over the years but are said to be incomplete by the time Geoffrey Chaucer passed away. The Canterbury Tales Museum will give you an insight into the Canterbury Tales and the legacy that was created through these stories.

The Scenic River Stour

The River Stour is the main river that flows through Canterbury. It is the second-largest river in Kent and is famed for its scenic beauty and tranquil waterways. River walks along the treelined paths are a great way to escape the city centre for those looking for peace and tranquility. Planned walks can be

*The scenery of the River Stour in Canterbury*

If you're in need of another great day activity, there are many popular walks planned out which will bring you through multiple towns and you will find some great pubs along the way.

This will take a couple of hours, but if you enjoy walking and discovering new places then this is a worthwhile way to spend your time in Kent. You can find some planned-out walks through this link.

Boat Tours

Boats are also available for hire for those seeking a riverside experience in Canterbury. Guided river tours offer an insight into the local history while boating through the ancient city of Canterbury.

Guided river tours present a unique way of enjoying the culture and city.

Dane John Gardens

Dane John Gardens is a beautiful public park locate near Canterbury East just a short walk from Canterbury Cathedral. The park was a former Roman cemetery in the early middle ages. In the 11th century, Dane John Gardens was converted into a motte-and-bailey castle (a wooden fortress).

The gardens still have a wooden fortress model built there today so visitors can get an idea of what it was like. Dane John Gardens has some other historical features such as the Dane John Mound. The park is a great place to relax and take in some Roman History at the same time.

Explore the Ancient Ruins of St Augustine's Abbey

St Augustine's Abbey was first built in 598 and served as a burial place for Saxon Kings. Hundreds of years later the ancient Benedictine monastery had been demolished by King Henry VIII which he later rebuilt as a Royal Palace.

*The ancient ruins and buildings of St Augustine’s Abbey*

King Henry VIII spared some of the ancient buildings which still stand today. St Augustine's Abbey is the perfect place to understand more about the Roman Catholic Church and its routes to England and the county of Kent.

St Martin's Church

St Martin's Church is recognized as the oldest church in the United Kingdom that is still open to the public today. The church is also thought to be the oldest in the English speaking world and has seen its way through the middle ages of England.

St Martin's Church was home to St Augustine and the church belonged to him until St Augustine's Abbey was later gifted to him. The historic site is located within walking distance of the city centre. The church is open on most days but sometimes holds services so if you're interested in visiting then check out their website for times

Canterbury Old Town Centre

The cobblestoned streets of the old town centre are exceptionally beautiful and stand out even amongst some of the best historic cities in England. This is the main area of Canterbury city centre and the bustling high street here is packed with shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Beautiful buildings house these stores and the usual array of standard high street shops are available here. The high street is a good place to shop and eat but try to explore some of the side streets too as that is where you will find the real hidden gems.

*Traditional style shopping street in the old town of Canterbury*

The King's Mile is a historic street a stone’s throw away from the high street. It is the place to find small boutique shops selling traditional goods and general nonfranchise stores.

*The King’s Mile, a famous shopping area in Canterbury*

The King's Mile is dedicated to independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. If you like supporting local businesses then the King's Mile is the perfect place to do it while buying some awesome souvenirs, arts, and crafts.

The Old Weavers House

The Old Weavers House is a historic pub located along the River Stour in the old town of Canterbury. This landmark building dates back to the 16th century when it was a fully functioning weaving house. Today this famous building is a pub and a popular tourist attraction.

Visitors come from all over to take photos of the pub and its traditional architecture. This is likely because it is one of the oldest buildings in Canterbury and is located on the King's Bridge in the town centre.

*Traditional architecture of the Old Weavers House along the River Stour*

The Old Weavers House serves delicious food and the restaurant's traditional interior means you get to experience the atmosphere of medieval Canterbury.

Canterbury is a beautiful cathedral city and it is within easy reach of London. This makes it a great day trip for those looking to enrich their knowledge of Christian and Roman history whilst experiencing one of the most beautiful towns in Kent. Canterbury is one of my favorite travel destinations in Kent and is a must-see for anyone who enjoys historic towns.

Canterbury, a Beautiful Historic Town in Kent