Discovering the Past

For incomparable heritage explore the medieval city of Canterbury. Discover the excellent range of shops, restaurants, museums and other attractions, including the spectacular Cathedral forming part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Morning

Start your day by discovering where it all began. The birthplace of Christianity in southern England is a World Heritage Site consisting of St Augustine's Abbey, St Martin's Church and Canterbury Cathedral. Now the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion the Cathedral is central to the historic city and the Christian Church.

St Augustine's Abbey

This great Abbey, marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England, was founded in AD 597 by St Augustine.

St Martin's Church

St Martin's Church is the oldest in England still in use as a parish church and is part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site.

Canterbury Cathedral

Motherchurch of the Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop. Stunning stained glass. Eleventh Century Crypt, Twelfth Century Quire, Fourteenth Century Nave.

Afternoon

Once you've explored the extraordianary religious heritage of the city why not step back in time and explore one of the Canterbury Museums. Whether you chose to visit the superb Canterbury Heritage Museum or the underground Roman Museum.

Canterbury Heritage Museum

Discover Canterbury's history, from millions of years ago to the present, explored through interactive displays in an amazing medieval building.

Canterbury Roman Museum

Explore the Roman town beneath your feet. Canterbury's underground Roman Museum is built around the remains of a Roman town house with mosaics preserved where excavated.

Canterbury Roman Museum

Descend 100 years with each step or by lift to the Roman street level. Stroll through the marketplace, look inside recreated Roman rooms, and discover amazing finds including a hoard of hidden treasure.

See how little has changed since Roman times when viewing rare tools, or how much could be made of simple items like bones. Be amazed by collections of intricate Roman glass flasks and bottles, jewellery and a silver spoon hoard.

Handle, sort and classify real Roman pottery fragments and other objects relating to Roman:
- everyday life
- building materials
- rubbish
- mosaics

Museum highlights include Roman:
- mosaic floors preserved where excavated
- hypocaust (underfloor heating system) preserved where excavated
- digital reconstruction of a Roman town house
- rare cavalry horse-harness fittigs, one of only two sets in the world
- rare tools - Roman spade, carpenter's square and mason's trowel
- gateway hinge, part of Canterbury's Riding Gate on Watling Street to Dover
- building materials including roof tiles with Roman dog-paw prints
- painted plaster fragments with flowers, patterns and dancer's feet
- finds from Canterbury's Roman baths, including gaming counters, toiletry items and bath lining
- figurines of gods including horse goddess and Gaulish male
- metal vessels, ewers and dishes used in religious ceremonies
- pottery, imported fine Samian ware and locally-made pots

The impressive pillared entrance is in Butchery Lane and very close to the Cathedral.

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Contact

Canterbury Roman Museum
Tel: 01227 785575

museums@canterbury.gov.uk

View the Canterbury Roman Museum website

www.canterbury-museums.co.uk
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Venue

Canterbury Roman Museum

Longmarket, Butchery Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2JR

CT1 2JR www.canterbury-museums.co.uk

See location of Canterbury Roman Museum on Google maps. See location on Google maps. Map reference: TR 150577
Lat: 51.27873 Long: 1.08139
The Canterbury Roman Museum is located off the High Street and very near the Cathedral.
5 minutes walk from the City Centre
10 minutes walk from Canterbury West
15 minutes walk from Canterbury East
10 minutes walk from the City's Park & Ride terminal and bus station.