Practical guide to visiting Canterbury + local tips
Millions of words must have been written in praise of Canterbury since Chaucer wrote his Canterbury Tales in the late fourteenth century.
And indeed most of them, whether reverential, spiritual or just appreciative, have hardly been misplaced. It is a truly wonderful city – although whether the post war town planners preserved its heart or else embalmed and cut off its lifeblood amid a series of arterial roadways, junctions and contraflows, is quite another matter.
In this practical travel guide to visiting Canterbury I’ve included all the information you need to visit the city for the first time, including how to get there, what to see and my local tips.
I first visited Canterbury about 26 years ago and have been visiting ever since to show the city to my friends, go to the theatre and at one point I spend few months looking for a house to move here too (which incidentally was a great way to explore the town even more!).
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Is Canterbury worth visiting?
Yes, Canterbury is definitely worth visiting! It’s a really cool city with a lot of history and interesting things to see. The Canterbury Cathedral is a definite must see, it’s not just one large church, but a whole complex of buildings, inner courtyards and ruins in the park.
The city has cute, narrow streets with timbered houses, independent handmade gift shops and cafes. You can also walk along the River Great Stour or relax in the beautiful Westgate Gardens. Plus, there are cool museums and historic sites like St. Augustine’s Abbey or the Roman Museum. It’s a great place to explore, and there’s definitely something for everyone.
Where is Canterbury in Kent?
Canterbury is a city in the county of Kent, which is in the southeastern part of England in Great Britain. It’s about 60 miles southeast of London.
If you look at a map, you’ll see that it’s pretty close to the coast, not too far from places like Dover and Whitstable. It’s easy to get to by train or car from London, which makes it a great place for day trips or weekend getaways.
Best time to visit Canterbury
In my experience, the best time to visit Canterbury is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). In spring, the weather is mild, and you can enjoy beautiful blooming flowers, especially in places like Westgate Gardens. Autumn has cooler temperatures and stunning autumn colours, making it perfect for exploring the city’s historic sites.
These months also have fewer tourists compared to the busy summer season, so you’ll have a more relaxed experience. Plus, there are some fun festivals during these times.
In May, there’s the Canterbury Festival, which puts on music, theatre and art. In October, you can enjoy the Canterbury Food and Drink Festival, where you can taste delicious local foods.
If you prefer to visit on a less busy days, choose weekdays over weekends (unless you want to visit one of the festivals or weekend events, of course).
Canterbury is also a university place, so during the main school year, the town is buzzing with college and university students. There are also many English language schools for foreign students, which are very busy during the summer months.
How long do I need for my visit?
You can definitely see a lot of Canterbury in one day, but it might feel a bit rushed. If you have just one day, start early. Visit the Canterbury Cathedral first because it can get very busy when the organised tour parties arrive mid morning. Then, take a walk through the old streets to check out the shops and cafes. Don’t miss the Westgate Gardens for a nice, relaxing stroll.
If you have more time, two days would be better. This way, you can also visit St. Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martin’s Church without hurrying.
You could even take a boat tour on the River Great Stour and explore more of the local museums like The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge. So, one day is good, but two days are even better to fully enjoy everything Canterbury has to offer!
What to see in Canterbury
The must see attraction is the Canterbury Cathedral, but if you don’t want to spend the time (and money) visiting during the day, you can also attend the evening service and stay on to have a look around the grounds (for free).
My favourite thing to do is to just wander through the charming medieval streets and pop into quirky shops and cafes. You can also take a peaceful stroll along the River Great Stour or relax in the beautiful Westgate Gardens. I’ve also enjoyed visiting the St. Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martin’s Church as the history of these places is trully amazing.
The Goods Shed is perfect for grabbing some local produce or stop for a lovely lunch, and if you’re into quirky architecture, the crooked Sir John Boys House is a must-see.
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Tourist Information Centre
The Canterbury Visitor Information Centre is located at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, 18 High Street, Canterbury, CT1 2RA
The opening times are:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
National Trust Properties near Canterbury
Unfortunately, there are no National Trust properties directly in Canterbury or near by.
The closest place is Sissinghurst Castle Gardens which are about 32 miles (50 km) and about 60 minutes drive cross country (as there are no direct large roads). A similar distance is to Smallhythe Place or the White Clifts of Dover visitor’s centre and the South Foreland Lighthouse and the Fan Bay Deep Shelter.
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English Heritage Properties near Canterbury
The good news is that there is English Heritage property right in Canterbury and it’s the historic St.Augustine’s Abbey (payable) and also St. Augustine’s Conduit House (free).
There are also plenty of other English Heritage properties near Canterbury, such as the Reculver Towers & Roman Fort (9 miles), Richborough Roman Fort & Amphitheatre (11 miles), Deal Castle (15 miles), Walmer Castle (15 miles) and Dover Castle (15 miles)
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Pretty villages near Canterbury
If you’re looking for some pretty villages close to Canterbury you should check out Chilham Village, which has a picturesque square and Chilham Castle. Wye is another charming spot with beautiful countryside and the North Downs Way. Elham has quaint cottages and scenic walking paths.
Bridge is lovely with traditional pubs and a beautiful church, plus it’s near the Kent Downs. Ickham is known for its attractive houses and the Little Stour river.
Patrixbourne features historic buildings and St. Mary’s Church with its cool Norman architecture. Lastly, Fordwich is the smallest town in Britain and has charming riverside views and historic sites. All these villages are just a short drive from Canterbury and show off the best of the Kent countryside.
How to get to Canterbury
By Train:
- From London: You can take a train from London Victoria, London Charing Cross, or London St Pancras International. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- London Victoria to Canterbury East: Direct trains run frequently.
- London St Pancras International to Canterbury West: High-speed trains are available, reducing the travel time to around 55 minutes.
By Car:
- From London: Take the M2 motorway and then the A2 road, which leads directly to Canterbury. The drive typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic.
- From the South Coast: Use the A2 road if coming from Dover or the A28 if coming from Ashford.
By Bus:
- National Express: Offers coach services from London Victoria Coach Station to Canterbury. The journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Local Buses: Stagecoach operates local bus services connecting Canterbury with nearby towns and cities.
By Air:
- From Gatwick Airport: Take a train from Gatwick Airport to London St Pancras International and then transfer to a high-speed train to Canterbury West.
- From Heathrow Airport: Take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington, transfer to the London Underground to reach St Pancras International, and then take a high-speed train to Canterbury West.
By Ferry:
- From Dover: If arriving by ferry, Canterbury is a short drive away via the A2 road, taking about 30 minutes.
Park & Ride at Canterbury
When we visit we usually park at the Park & Ride Wincheap car park and get the bus directly to the centre. The whole day parking and the return journey by bus for up to 6 people is £4, which is super good value.
Canterbury, Kent, has three Park & Ride car parks and they are ideal if you are coming to Canterbury for the whole day.
Each Park & Ride location has frequent shuttle buses to and from the city centre from early in the morning until 7-8 pm. If you are staying in Canterbury later than that, you’d need to get a taxi (or walk) to get to your car. Most Park & Ride parks will allow you to park the car until early evening, but you can leave any time as the car parks don’t close down over night.
New Dover Road Park and Ride
- Address: New Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3EJ
- Facilities: 1,000 parking spaces, including disabled parking, toilets, and electric vehicle charging points.
Sturry Road Park and Ride
- Address: Sturry Road, Canterbury, CT1 1AD
- Facilities: 450 parking spaces, including disabled parking, toilets, and electric vehicle charging points.
Wincheap Park and Ride
- Address: Ten Perch Road, Canterbury, CT1 3TY
- Facilities: 600 parking spaces, including disabled parking, toilets, and electric vehicle charging points.
Is Canterbury easy to walk around?
Canterbury is super easy to walk around. The centre is very flat and fairly easy to navigate. If you get lost, you usually end up at the busy road that goes around most of the historic centre and you know you need to turn back. Most attractions, apart from St.Augustine’s Abbey (which is just across the busy road) is within the city walls and the centre.
The streets in the centre are quite often narrow and have a cobbled tiles and stones, so a good comfortable trainers or similar type of shoes are the best.
This blog post was originally published on 17 February 2015 and last updated on 4 November 2024
