This classic one day itinerary for Canterbury will take you on a tour that encompasses the magnificence of this historical city.
Morning
What better way to start the day with a river tour where you will discover hidden secrets of the River Stour, a focal point of the city's heritage.
Alternatively why not take a walking tour of the city. Choose from a guided tour or a self guided tour.
Flowing through the heart of historic Canterbury, the river is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of one of the country's busiest city centres.
Escape the busy pavements and lay back into the cushions, meander down the river and see the City as you never could on foot. Listen to historic Canterbury's rich and fascinating story as you sip champagne and view medieval buildings.
Enjoy a fascinating 90 minute tour of historic streets AND Cathedral Precincts with knowledgeable, entertaining guides to address your questions and special interests. All for £6.50 or less! Tours daily from the Buttermarket.
The perfect way to explore some of the well known historic sites of Canterbury, plus some of the hidden gems - available in 8 languages. Enjoy an audio tour & travel at your own pace. 20 attractions and local city landmarks are featured.
Lunch
Choose from a variety of restaurants that cater for all appetites and tastes. From sandwiches to pizzas and three course meals, you will find many restaurants serve fresh and local produce from Kent.
Afternoon
Refreshed from lunch a real must is a visit to Canterbury Cathedral, a World Heritage Site and one of the world's most important pilgrimage centres. The Cathedral dates back to 597AD when St Augustine became the first Archbishop establishing his seat in Canterbury. You will see where its most famous Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170 and view the numerous tombs and monuments including those of Edward the Black Prince and King Henry IV. Marvel at one of the cathedral's greatest glories; the stained glass collection which dates back to the 12th and 13th century, depicting miracles, royal connections and biblical stories and regarded as the finest in the country. For a guided tour allow 90 minutes.
The Canterbury Tales is ideal for all the family. Join Chaucer and his colourful band of Pilgrims on their journey from London to Canterbury in this entertaining re-creation of life medieval England. Allow 45 minutes.
After this visit you may wish to wander at your lesure. If you like shopping or want to buy some souvenirs there is a choice of venues from the modern Whitefriars centre to the old charm of the Buttermarket and niche shops along The King's Mile, Palace Street and St Margarets Street.
If you crave more culture there are several museums to visit; the Roman Museum takes you underground to the level of the buried Roman town of Durovernum Cantiacorum and the Museum of Canterbury that incorporates Rupert Bear Museum. Alternatively you may wish to relax over a drink at one of the numerous cafés or pubs situated in the heart of Canterbury.
You can save money by purchasing an Attractions Passport Ticket, which gives you free entry into Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, the Canterbury Tales and one of the city's museums (Museum of Canterbury with the Rupert the Bear Museum, the Roman Museum or the Westgate Towers).
Motherchurch of the Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop. Stunning stained glass. Eleventh Century Crypt, Twelfth Century Quire, Fourteenth Century Nave.
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.
You can save money by purchasing an Attractions Passport Ticket, which gives you free entry into Canterbury Cathedral, the Canterbury Tales, Canterbury Heritage Museum and the Canterbury Roman Museum.
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral has a tradition of visitor welcome that reaches back to the days of medieval pilgrimage. To all visitors we extend a warm welcome and hope that they too will enjoy sharing with us the beauty of one of the great holy places of Christendom.
Canterbury Cathedral, together with St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church make up Canterbury's World Heritage Site.
The Cathedral and its history:
St Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory the Great, arrived in 597AD as a missionary and became the first Archbishop, establishing his seat (or 'Cathedra') in Canterbury. In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the Cathedral and ever since, the Cathedral has attracted thousands of pilgrims, as told most famously in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
The Cathedral houses a Romanesque Crypt, dating back to the 11th century, a 12th century early Gothic Quire and a 14th Century Perpendicular Nave. Beautiful medieval stained glass windows illustrate miracles and stories associated with St Thomas.
Visitor facilities range from guided tours and audio tours to private evening tours and 'behind the scenes' tours to the Stained Glass Studio, Archives and/or Library.
The Cathedral is very much part of the local community. It is used regularly for local, regional and/or national services and events. Some or all of it may, therefore, at times be closed for general visiting. Please contact the Cathedral Visits Office before visiting to check up-to-date opening times and possible closures.
Please note that the east end of the Cathedral, including the Quire, will close every day in preparation for Evensong from 16.30 (Monday-Friday) and from 14.30 (Saturday & Sunday).
For information on Cathedral closures please visit the website or view the pdf.
See location on Google maps.
Map reference: TR 151578 Lat: 51.27878 Long: 1.08343 The Cathedral is located in the centre of Canterbury, within walking distance of both Canterbury East and West stations. Canterbury is only 30 minutes drive from Dover (continental ferries) and Folkestone (Eurotunnel), making it an ideal stop-over en route to London. Fast speed trains bring passengers from Canterbury to London within 56 minutes.
Public Transport : 1 mile from Canterbury East/West station