Planning your visit to Canterbury soon, and not sure where to start? We’ve put together a list of the Best Things to See in Canterbury just for you! With its medieval architecture, charming cobbled streets and the iconic Canterbury Cathedral in the centre, Canterbury is a hugely popular tourist destination all year round. Some visitors come for the history, some for the religious pilgrimage, others for the canals and punting – there is something to do here for everyone. And if you cannot wait to book your trip, you can reserve your place on our Day Tour to Dover and Canterbury right now!
The King’s Mile
With the Cathedral towering above, the streets of the King’s Mile are the perfect place to discover the authentic Canterbury. Both locals and tourists alike roam up and down, exploring everything the shops, bars, cafes and restaurants have to offer. Browse handcrafted jewellery, arts, crafts, fashion, games and gifts to track down your perfect souvenir, or take a break in one of the charming cafes to watch the world go by. Highlights of the King’s Mile include: the Fudge Kitchen, a handmade fudge shop; Smile Labo, home of Japanese food replica culture; Siesta, for fair-trade and ethical goods; and so much more!
The Crooked House
Looking at the lean on this charming building, you will see exactly how it earned its name! This house had the chimney breast slip out of place during construction in the early 1600s, but thankfully it was stabilised and has survived, a little skewed but all the more memorable for it, for the last 400 years. It is one of Canterbury’s few surviving half-timbered buildings, and charmed the Victorian author Charles Dickens so much during his stay in the city that he made reference to it in one of his books, David Copperfield. Nowadays, its literary legacy lives on, for it is a bookshop, selling second-hand books to raise money for the homeless.
Marlowe Theatre
The Marlowe Theatre is named for one of the most famous playwrights to come from Canterbury, Christopher Marlowe. Born in Canterbury in 1564, Marlowe lived in the city up until he left for Cambridge University, going on to become one of the most important English dramatists of his time – it is said that he paved the way for William Shakespeare, and some people believe the two may have even worked together on some of their plays. His most famous work is The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. Unfortunately, Marlowe died in suspicious circumstances in 1593, just 29 years old, but his legacy lives on in this theatre where his plays are still performed to this day.
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the city, standing at 72m and towering over most of the other buildings. One of the oldest Christian structures in England at over 1400 years old, it was founded in 597 AD by St Augustine who was sent to convert the Anglo-Saxons of Britain to Christianity. It rose to international fame in 1170 after the murder of Thomas Becket, the archbishop of the time, and became a pilgrimage destination for Christians from all over Europe. It has received a steady flow of visitors ever since. Nowadays, people come as both pilgrims and tourists to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket, explore the peaceful and ancient crypt, admire the stunning architecture and soak in the unique atmosphere.
Tiny Tim’s Tearoom
Of the many little cafes lining the streets of Canterbury, Tiny Tim’s Tearoom is a favourite of locals and tourists alike. There are many sweet and savoury treats offered on their menu, but the most famous of all is definitely their amazing cream tea. A traditional English snack made up of scones, cream and jam served with a pot of tea, Tiny Tim’s puts their own twist on it – their scones are over double the usual size! There’s also rumours of a possible ghostly encounter on the upper floor of the tearoom, if you’re feeling brave! It is located just off the High Street in the heart of the city, so the next time you’re in Canterbury and feeling peckish, pop in to try out their tasty treats.
Beaney House of Art and Knowledge
The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is named after Dr James George Beaney, who was born in Canterbury and went on to study medicine before moving to Australia, where he became very successful. Upon his death in 1891, Dr Beaney generously left money to Canterbury to build an ‘Institute for Working Men’, to support men from poor backgrounds like he himself had been. Now, this building functions as a museum, library and information centre, with several exhibition galleries, educational facilities and many cultural events – free to enter, and open to all.
West Gate Gardens
Of all the photo hot-spots in Canterbury, West Gate Gardens are probably the most Instagram-worthy of them all! Consisting of flower beds along the banks of the serene canal, they make for a perfect snapshot, picnic spot or stroll along the riverbank. They are located by the West Gate itself, part of the medieval city wall that used to enclose the entire city, as was the tradition. Built around 1379, this 18m-high gatehouse is the largest surviving city gate in England. Although Canterbury used to have seven medieval gates, this is now the only one that remains to this day. It houses the West Gate Towers Museum as well as several historically themed escape rooms.
Canals and Punting
Stretching throughout the city in every direction, the canals are an integral part of the city, and in the summer, they are filled with punters. Punting is a traditional water activity, most often done on lakes, canals and rivers, and consists of boaters pushing themselves along the riverbed with a large pole. There are several punting companies in Canterbury, all operated by experienced boaters who offer tours from the water, telling you about the history of the city as you glide leisurely along, letting you see Canterbury from a whole new perspective. Whether you want to wander the waterside on a relaxing stroll, or see the city from the water yourself, the canals and punting boats are an unmissable part of the city.
Book your tour with us today!
No matter what you decide to do during your stay in this lovely city, you are sure to have a great time. We hope this guide has been helpful and that you enjoy your visit. And if after reading this you just cannot wait to see these places yourself, come with us on our amazing Day Tour to Dover and Canterbury. We hope to see you soon!
