Day Trip to Canterbury – A Perfect Day in Kent’s Historic Town

Escape the hustle and bustle of London by taking a day trip to Canterbury, the historic gem of Kent. Steeped in history dating as far back as the Roman times, Canterbury has some of the oldest churches and buildings in all of England! Take a step back in time as you stroll through the picturesque cobbled streets lined with timber-framed Tudor style buildings.

Canterbury is conveniently located 1 hour by train from London’s St. Pancras station making it the perfect day out in Kent. Packed with quaint old pubs, loaded with stunning photography spots, and enough history to blow your mind, this ancient town takes its place as one of my top picks when it comes to day trips from London.

After having spent the last 2 years of my life living in Ashford, Kent (15 mins from Canterbury by train), I’ve taken many little day trips to Canterbury and seen something new and exciting each time. I’ve found it to be the perfect place to immerse myself in old English history and culture.

➤Looking to see the best of Canterbury with limited time?

Check out this tour that organises every detail of the day for you and includes more famous stops in Kent!

The Top 10 Best Things to do on a Day Trip to Canterbury

After exploring and learning about this beautiful town over the years, I’ve put together the perfect guide with everything you could possibly need to know to have the best day trip to Canterbury!

When travelling from London, the train will drop you off at the Canterbury West station. Starting the day off with the closest attraction to the train station, make your way over to the Westgate Gardens.

Westgate Gardens

A short 8 minute stroll from the Canterbury West train station will take you to the lovely Westgate Gardens which is one of the oldest parks in England. Apart from being really old, it’s also very scenic and the perfect place to ease your way into a day of sightseeing.

These gardens are situated at the entrance to the old town along the Great Stour River and they’ve been a public space since the middle ages. Enjoy the peaceful nature and the historic buildings and ruins that are present among the gardens.

As you walk through the gardens, you will come across the remnants of a medieval archway which is thought to have been brought here from the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey.

Westgate Towers Canterbury

After the gardens, head straight over to the well preserved medieval gatehouse that stands at the entrance to Canterbury’s high street. This epic tower dates back to the 14th century and is the largest surviving city gate in all of England. This impressive gatehouse is actually a replacement from the original Roman wall that circled the city around the year 300 AD.

Explore the museum inside the towers to learn all about their defense role during the wars over the centuries. Enjoy spectacular city views from the battlements at the top of the towers. Tickets for the Westgate museum cost £4 per person.

The Old Weaver’s House

One of the most iconic buildings in Canterbury which you will inevitably walk past as you wander down the high street. The Old Weaver’s House is a classic timer-framed Tudor style house perfectly placed next to a canal. Its name comes from the Flemish weavers who fled France to escape religious persecution in the 16th century.

It’s now home to a popular restaurant where you can dine on the patio outside next to the river. During the summer months, they offer a special of £20 for a traditional English lunch followed by a 40 minute river tour. Boats depart directly from the restaurant and take you around the canals in traditional punting style.

Canterbury River Cruise

One of the highlights of your day trip to Canterbury will be taking the historic river cruise. This is probably the most popular attraction of the city so you won’t want to miss out on this enjoyable experience!

Escape the bustle of the high street and embark on a journey through time as you cruise along the River Stour passing beautiful, ancient buildings. You’ll learn the most fascinating history and stories told by your guide who will also be the chauffeur.

Canterbury boat tours run between 10am and 5pm daily and operate between April 1st and November 7th. You can find the Canterbury Historic River Tours staff located on the Kings Bridge right next to the Old Weaver’s House. The boat tours run throughout the day and you can either show up on the day or reserve your ticket online in advance.

Click here to find prices and book your tickets online. It doesn’t hurt to book the river cruise online in advance especially during the high season when it gets quite busy.

Crooked House of Canterbury

”..a very old house bulging over the road…leaning forward, trying to see who was passing on the narrow pavement below…” Charles Dickens, 1849

A short walk from the high street will take you to the famous crooked house of Canterbury which is a must on your day trip itinerary! The 17th century crooked house is also known as Sir John Boy’s House, named after an MP and the first recorder of Canterbury from the 1600’s. Its skewed façade makes it look like the building could collapse at any given moment.

It is said that the house gets its crooked appearance from chimney alterations gone wrong which caused the entire building to slip sideways. After attempts to fix the slippage, the building became even more crooked and is now internally stabilized by a steel frame.

The house has seen many different owners over the years but as of today, it is a book shop and is open to the public. Stop here briefly to snap some photos and stick your head inside for quick look, you’ll notice that it’s just as crooked on the inside! Take note of the extremely crooked door which adds to the quirkiness of the house.

Not too far away from the crooked house is the Parrot Pub, where we recommend making your way to for lunch.

Have Lunch at the Parrot

Stop for a lunch break at Canterbury’s oldest pub, established in the year 1370. The Parrot is not only the town’s oldest pub but it’s is also one of the oldest buildings in Canterbury built on Roman foundations in the 14th century. Stepping into this pub really feels like taking a step back in time with its huge medieval beams and oak floorboards.

We stopped here to have lunch in their outdoor patio area one sunny afternoon and really enjoyed it. We ordered gourmet sandwiches and they were both delicious. The staff were very friendly and service was quick even though it was a busy day when we visited. This is our top pick for pubs in Canterbury and definitely worth a stop for the history and great food.

Canterbury Cathedral

A day trip to Canterbury is not complete without visiting it’s most iconic symbol, the incredible Canterbury Cathedral which is one of the oldest and most important Cathedrals in the history of Britain. During the middle ages, Canterbury Cathedral became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. I wasn’t lying when I said Canterbury is packed with fascinating ancient history!

The cathedral’s origins can be traced back to the year 597 AD when St. Augustine first arrived on the shores of Kent and established a church on the site. He was sent by Pope Gregory the Great from Rome as a missionary to England and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

Over the centuries, the Cathedral has seen many changes to its appearance, eventually taking shape as the Cathedral that we see today. As of present day, it has been under serious restoration since we first arrived in the UK in 2017. Other than the obvious scaffolding placed around it (sadly ruining any photos from the outside), the restoration doesn’t stop visitors from entering the Cathedral.

Tickets: £17/adult, free/child

Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm daily (11:30am – 4pm on Sundays)

➤Get your ticket to Canterbury Cathedral + audio guide online before you go

Canterbury Roman Museum

The history of Canterbury stretches far back beyond the medieval times to the days of Roman invasions of Britain late in the 1st century. The Romans took over an existing Celtic settlement and built a new town calling it Durovernum Cantiacorum. In Roman Canterbury, there were temples, public bath houses, a theatre, a town hall and streets laid out in a grid pattern protected by a town wall with 7 gates.

In the 19th century, workers made an exciting discovery while digging trenches for a drainage system. Below the street level, they found a well preserved Roman floor mosaic! Further discoveries were made after the Second World War uncovering the remnants of a Roman town house, an ancient underground heating system and other interesting findings.

Learn all about life in Roman Britain at the Canterbury Roman Museum located on Butchery Lane just off the high street.

Tickets: £10.50/adult, £5.35/child

Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm daily

Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

Set within a stunning Grade II listed building on Canterbury’s high street, this fascinating museum and art gallery has a little bit of everything. From historic art work to ancient artefacts, the displays are spread out over multiple floors. The museum has a wide variety of exhibits to see ranging from the Egyptian and Greek times to the Anglo-Saxon times and much more.

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge is a great place to stop in for a quick visit as you wander along the high street. It is free to enter, find more info about planning your visit here. There is a café and shop inside as well as a library.

Tickets: Free

Opening Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 4:00pm

Visit the Oldest Churches in England

If you still have time left on your already busy day trip to Canterbury, check out some of the most ancient churches in the history of the entire country! These churches are located just outside of Canterbury’s town centre so it’s understandable if you don’t make it there. If you do have the extra time, they are well worth a visit to learn some fascinating facts about English history.

St Martin’s Church – St. Martin’s Church is the oldest church in the English-speaking world still in use today! Dating back to the early 6^th century, this ancient church is a 10 minute walk from the town centre. It was a place of worship during the Roman occupation of Britain and the church was built upon Roman ruins that you can still see today.

St Augustine’s Abbey – Located just outside of the town centre near St. Martin’s Church, these fantastic ruins and museum are often overlooked by tourists. St Augustine’s Abbey was originally a burial site for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent and then the abbey was founded by St. Augustine himself around the same time as the Canterbury Cathedral in 597. It served as a monastery until the English Reformation in the 1500s.

You can visit the abbey museum and take a virtual reality tour through the site to see the abbey as it appeared in the 16th century. For prices and opening times click here.

Best Canterbury Day Tour from London

Duration – 10.5 hrs

Included – Entry to Dover Castle, entry to Canterbury Cathedral, guided tour of Canterbury, visit to the White Cliffs of Dover, experienced tour guide/driver, transportation by coach.

If you don’t like the idea of navigating train schedules and maps on your own, perhaps taking an organized day trip to Canterbury from London would be the best option. The day trip that I recommend also includes a stop in Dover to see the White Cliffs and Dover Castle.

The tour will pick you up in London first thing in the morning and take you straight to the White Cliffs of Dover where you will enjoy a scenic walk. Afterwards, you will explore the incredible Dover Castle, one of England’s oldest and most important fortresses.

In the afternoon, you will carry on to Canterbury for lunch followed by a guided tour of the town. You will also be given time to see the Cathedral before heading back to London.

The total time spent in Canterbury on this tour will be about 2.5 hours so you won’t be able to see everything I’ve listed above. The bonus is that you can also tick off some other awesome attractions in Kent!

→Find prices and availability for the full day Canterbury tour←

Best Photo Spots in Canterbury

There is no shortage of incredible photography opportunities to be discovered around Canterbury. Besides the obvious ones like the Westgate Towers or Canterbury Cathedral, I’ve listed my favourite little spots that could easily be overlooked on a typical sightseeing day.

Westgate Gardens – Once you are inside the gardens, head to the medieval archway ruins where you can catch a lovely view looking back toward the Westgate Towers. This perfect photo spot allows you to capture the river, gardens, towers, and bridge all in the same shot.

Old Weaver’s House – While the Old Weaver’s house is one of the most photographed buildings in Canterbury, don’t just take a photo of it from the front and move on. Make sure to take a peek down the canal next to it to snap the perfect shot. It is really such a picturesque scene, especially with the little boats floating along the river.

The Crooked House – The crooked house of Canterbury aka a prime Instagram spot that cannot be missed! This house can draw quite a crowd of keen photo-takers, especially on weekends and high season so be prepared to wait a bit to get that perfect shot.

Butchery Lane – As you make your way along Canterbury’s high street, make sure to stop at the beginning of Butchery Lane where you will find an awesome photo opportunity waiting for you. Snap a photo peeking down the alley that leads toward the cathedral like the one I took below. Bear in mind that my photo was taken early in the morning so if you attempt to get this shot in the afternoon on a busy day, you may be disappointed with the crowds that you’ll find there!

Cathedral Cloister – I know I wasn’t going to mention the cathedral, but this spot is actually inside the cathedral’s 15th century cloister and I feel like its epic enough that it deserves a spot on this list. The symmetry here is just everything and of course results in the perfect Instagram photo.

Best Pubs in Canterbury

With an abundance of awesome historic pubs around Canterbury, it’s hard to choose which one to stop at for a drink or lunch. There are ancient pubs lining the streets, each one as inviting as the next. Below are few of our favourites and we can highly recommend them based on our experience!

The Pound – While it’s not actually an ancient pub like the rest on this list, The Pound is located within the old Gaol and police station on One Pound Lane next to the Westgate Towers. While the building itself is historic, the interior of the pub is new and serves an excellent range of tasty cocktails, wines, gins and local beers. It has a great atmosphere in the evenings, I have been there a few times and really enjoyed this place!

The Parrot – As I’ve suggested above, The Parrot is our top pick for ancient pubs in Canterbury. Being the oldest pub in town, it’s also one of the top rated in terms of delicious food and drinks and a great atmosphere. Hidden away in a quaint cobblestone backstreet, this pub is definitely one that cannot be missed on your day trip to Canterbury. We had a great time here!

The Dolphin – Tucked away in the backstreets of Canterbury is this lovely old pub with a big outdoor beer garden. This popular place is a short walk away from the high street and it’s a great place to stop in for lunch or dinner. We didn’t actually eat here but we’ve included it because it has high ratings on TripAdvisor with most people writing that the food is amazing.

The Old Buttermarket – The perfect traditional pub to stop in for a pint to break up a day of sightseeing. It’s located in the square outside of the cathedral providing a nice atmosphere and view to sip your drinks on a sunny afternoon. They serve traditional British food with a range of wines, ales and beers on tap. We stopped here briefly for drinks before exploring the cathedral.

The Shakespeare – In the heart of Canterbury, a stone’s throw away from the Cathedral and a one minute walk from the high street is the Shakespeare pub. Originally built in the 1504, this building was once a Tudor playhouse. It has since been renovated and turned into a lively pub with a delicious menu, a large range of wines and beers and a fun atmosphere.

The Bishops Finger – A 16th century traditional alehouse with a great old English atmosphere. The charming medieval exterior of this pub is what invites you in from the street. It’s a short walk away from the historic town centre and makes the perfect place to stop for lunch or have a pint in their big outdoor beer garden out back. They serve classic English food and drinks.

Getting from London to Canterbury

London to Canterbury Train – Trains depart regularly from London’s St. Pancras station and run directly to the Canterbury West station. However, there are several routes throughout the day that require changing trains in Ashford.

For a full day trip to Canterbury, it’s best to leave early and catch the morning train that goes direct without stopping in Ashford. See link below for more information.

→View train schedules and purchase your tickets online← 

Driving from London to Canterbury – For more flexibility on your day trip, you might prefer to rent a car and drive there yourself. On the way to Canterbury, you could even make a stop at Leeds Castle. Driving from London to Canterbury takes 1.5 hours and full driving directions and map can be found by clicking here.

 

Where to Stay in Canterbury

If you’re not in a hurry to get back to London, perhaps spending the night in a historic hotel in Canterbury would be a fun idea. Find some of the best old hotels and inns below.

The Falstaff in Canterbury – Dating back to 1403, this historic inn is located near Canterbury’s Westgate Tower. With many original features still intact, it’s the perfect place to stay for a great location and lovely medieval charm. The Falstaff in Canterbury offers a full English breakfast along with a cocktail bar serving cocktails, local beers, wines and spirits. Click here to book your room.

Pilgrims Hotel – Situated in the town centre, this old hotel dates back to the 16th century. It features traditional rooms, a cosy oak-beamed bar and restaurant and includes a full English breakfast. Located directly across from the Marlowe Theatre and only a 5 minute walk from the Canterbury Cathedral, this traditional hotel is in an excellent location and has a very high rating on Booking.com. Click here to book your room at the Pilgrims Hotel.

Cathedral Gate – This historic hotel is located in the very heart of Canterbury and dates back to the year 1438. For an epic experience, stay in the hotel which was also slept in by pilgrims in the medieval times. The Cathedral Gate hotel features wooden beams and sloping floors and it offers a continental breakfast as well as a full English breakfast for an extra fee.

The location of this place could not be any better as it’s directly next to the gateway to the Canterbury Cathedral. Some of the rooms even have beautiful views of the Cathedral. With excellent reviews on Booking.com, this popular hotel is an awesome choice. Click here to book a room at the Cathedral Gate hotel.

Hopefully this guide has helped show you around the stunning medieval town of Canterbury. Living so close to this amazing place was a huge highlight of my time spent in England and one of the things I will miss the most when we leave! I hope you’ve enjoyed Canterbury as much as I have and if you wish to share anything about your experience, please feel free to leave me a comment below 🙂

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• Top 10 Things to do in Ashford
• 20 of the Most Beautiful English Villages

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