Visit Canterbury
Things to Do, Eat & See in Canterbury
About Canterbury
Set in the heart of Kent, Canterbury is one of England’s most historic cities.
Famous for its magnificent cathedral, medieval streets, and literary heritage, it remains one of the UK’s top cultural destinations. Whether you’re interested in history, theatre, shopping, or food, Canterbury offers the perfect city break with easy connections to London and the Kent coast.
History of Canterbury
Canterbury has been a major settlement since Roman times, but its fame grew in the medieval era as one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage sites, immortalised in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
The city is still dominated by Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Today, Canterbury combines its medieval character with vibrant student life, theatres, and modern shopping, making it both historic and cosmopolitan.
Things to do in Canterbury
Visit Canterbury Cathedral
Explore Canterbury’s world-famous cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Gothic architecture.
Book Tickets ➔
Canterbury Walking Tour with Green Badge Guide
Explore medieval streets, historic sites and hidden corners with a qualified Green Badge guide.
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River Stour Punting Tour
Enjoy a scenic punting tour past gardens, bridges and medieval buildings in the heart of Canterbury.
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Canterbury and White Cliffs of Dover Day Trip
A full-day guided tour combining Canterbury’s history with iconic coastal views at Dover.
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Classic Afternoon Tea
Relax with tea, cakes and artisan sandwiches inside one of Canterbury’s boutique tea rooms.
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St Augustine’s Abbey & St Martin’s Church
Visit two of the oldest Christian sites in Britain, both part of Canterbury’s UNESCO World Heritage status.
Book Tickets ➔Popular Pubs and Restaurants in Canterbury
Canterbury has a thriving dining scene, with lots of pubs, restaurants and places to drink coffee in town.
Some of our top recommendations include Fringe + Gringe for a caffeine hit and a tasty pastry, as well as The Foundry Brewpub for a refreshing pint after exploring Canterbury’s sights and things to do. Explore all our recommendations below in our guides.
Getting to Canterbury
Train Travel
Canterbury has two stations — West and East — with direct High-Speed 1 trains from London in under 1 hour. Both stations are a short walk from the Cathedral.
Book Trains to Canterbury ➔Surrounding Areas and Villages Near Canterbury
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Whitstable
Just a short drive north, Whitstable is a well loved seaside town in Kent that has lots of great places to eat and drink - as well as wonderful beach walks.
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Deal
Further east of Canterbury you’ll find Deal, one of our favourite destinations in Kent. A port town with rich history, this is quickly becoming one of the most highly recommended foodie places in the county.
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Margate
Another well-know beach town in Kent, Margate has undergone a rennaissance period in the past few years. Now a bustling town of culture and hub for young people, it boasts some great beaches, entertainment and great festivals in the Summer.
More Things to do in Canterbury
The festive season is on the horizon so it's time to have a look at the best things to do in Kent this Christmas.