Is Canterbury Worth Visiting? Here Are 6 Reasons Why it is

Most people will have heard about Canterbury, especially the Cathedral. However, if you are planning a trip, is Canterbury a place you should put on your itinerary? We think that it is, not only because it has some of the best places to stay in Kent, but also because of the fun things to do. So, let's see, is Canterbury worth visiting? Here are 6 reasons why it is. 

1 Beautiful Architecture

If you love looking at beautiful places and architecture, then you must add Canterbury to your list of places of interest in Kent. 

If you live or work in Canterbury, it is easy to become familiar with the buildings around you. When I first visited Canterbury, I was awestruck by the beautiful buildings that date from Roman times onwards. 

There is also the UNESCO World Heritage Site which we all know about that we will cover later in this article. 

Not only do you have St Augustines Abbey which is now managed by English Heritage, but there is also the old crooked house which defies belief. 

2 Canterbury Cathedral

Ok, so you probably guessed which World Heritage Site we were talking about. No places of interest in Kent would be complete without a walk around this tremendous historical building. 

With parts of the cathedral dating back to the 11th century, it is often in a state of repair at some part of the building. However, that won't detract from the beauty both outside and within. 

The cathedral is also a host to many events throughout the year that will be a must-see if you are visiting at the time. 

There is a small entry fee for entering the cathedral grounds, but there is enough inside to keep you busy for a whole day. 

3 Arts and Entertainment

As you would expect from a city with such culture in its history, plus a thriving student community, there are plenty of entertainment and art events going on. 

One such hub is The Marlowe Theatre which is a stunning contemporary building located in the heart of Canterbury. 

The theatre is always hosting shows and other events that you can catch while visiting other Canterbury tourist attractions. 

You also have The Gulbenkian theatre which is located on the Kent University campus. Both of these venues are just a tiny part of the many arts and entertainment events going on all year. 

4 Food and Drink

You are bound to get hungry and thirsty walking around and seeing the sights. Just as well that there are many wonderful places to eat and drink in Canterbury. 

There is a multitude of choices open to you from fast food to bistros and pub lunches. You can enjoy an authentic cream tea Kent style by visiting Tiny Tim's Tea Room, or you can visit some of the delicious cuisines from around the world such as Asian cooking at The Ambrette. 

5 Tours of the City

Managing to find all of the historic places can be a daunting task. Thankfully, there are guided tours of places such as the cathedral which also gives you the information you won't find just by looking. 

There are also gentle river tours that are guided by people with local history that can tell you about some of the buildings along the river. 

For those that love a scary time, you can also take the Canterbury Ghost Tour. This takes place at night and features the local ghost stories and legends of the area. 

6 Shopping

No trip to Canterbury would be complete without a little retail therapy. Thankfully, there are many shops both local and chains that can help you get your shopping fix. 

There is the sprawling Whitefriars shopping precinct that not only has a multitude of retail outlets but also hosts events and a stunning Christmas market that must not be missed. 

You also have the high street with small roads leading off it to other delightful independent retailers. 

Is Canterbury Worth Visiting?

With so much going on in and around Canterbury, there is absolutely every reason to visit this historic city. Apart from the six examples mentioned here, you also have a city that is dog friendly and has a lot of interesting places for families and kids. 

Final Thoughts

Having lived in the area for over 15 years, I am still stunned by the beauty of the city and how diverse it is. Whether you are a tourist in Kent, or you just haven't been here for a while, a trip to Canterbury is definitely with it. 

Top 5 Dog Friendly Days Out in Canterbury

If you are planning a trip to the historic city of Canterbury, then don't leave your dog at home. There are many places around the city where dogs are allowed and even encouraged. If you are a dog lover and want to bring your pooch to Canterbury, here are the top six dog-friendly days out in Canterbury. 

1 St Augustines Abbey

For a lovely outdoor walk (especially if it's sunny) you can take your four-legged friend to the grounds of St Augustines Abbey. 

Not only is it one of the best known Canterbury tourist attractions, but it also welcomes dogs and even provides water for them. 

The grounds are immaculate and always a pleasure to walk along. 

2 The Miller's Arms Pub

The Miller's Arms has been open since 1826 so it is a lovely place to spend a while enjoying the atmosphere. The food is delicious, but you can also bring your dog inside as well. 

They provide water bowls for those thirsty pups and this makes it one of the great places to visit in Kent for families. 

3 The Dog and Duck Pub 

Not sure if they allow ducks, but they do allow dogs inside this lovely pub. They have water bowls available, plus a doggy scrap tin so you can enjoy the food as well as your dog. 

The pub located at Plucks Gutter is now also sporting a new menu and extended food hours. 

4 Dane John Gardens

The Dane John Gardens sits in the heart of Canterbury and is a beautiful location for many people to spend their lunch hour. 

As well as being a lovely park, it also plays host to some of Canterburys events such as the Food Festival. This makes it a unique place to visit in Kent, plus it is dog friendly. 

5 The White Heart

Ok, so this is another pub, but, it also means there are plenty of places in and around Canterbury that will let you eat while your dog looks lovingly at your plate. 

As well as allowing dogs, they also offer live music and are family friendly as well. 

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the places that dogs in Canterbury can go. If you have found somewhere that allows dogs that is not on this list, comment below. Also, let us know how you and your pooch got on in Canterbury. 

6 Best Places to Visit For Free in Kent

 If you are thinking of visiting Kent this year, then you may want to come for a short stay, or perhaps a longer holiday. There are many places to visit in kent, but not all of them are free. With the cost of living going up, finding a budget holiday is now more important than ever. To help you, here are the six best places to visit for free in Kent.

1 Turner Contemporary

The beautiful seaside town of Margate is the backdrop for the Turner Contemporary. You can see some of the most cutting edge artwork in the area, most of it award-winning. 

Best of all it is free to enter and there are lots to explore. When you have finished, you can take a lovely stroll along Margate beach and enjoy the scenery. 

2 Crab and Winkle Way

If you love bike riding, then you will enjoy a nice trip down the Crab and Winkle Way. it is one of the nicest places to visit in Whistable and it will take you all the way to Canterbury. 

You can take a gentle ride one way, have lunch, and then ride back. Crab and winkle Way runs along an old railway line that was built in the 19th century. It has the honour of being one of the first railway lines to be built in Great Britain. 

3 The Beany House of Art & Knowledge

The Beany House of Art & Knowledge is one of the best places of interest in Kent. It has a huge library that contains books for all ages. You can also visit the museum which features many exhibits from Kent and the local area. 

You will also find an interesting art gallery that also has special events throughout the year. You can easily find enough to do here got most of the day on its own. Because it is located in the centre of Canterbury, you can also include it in your itinerary when you are visiting Canterbury for the day. 

4 Sandwich Guildhall Museum and Archive

You will find one of the most amazing artefacts at the Sandwich Guildhall and Museum - The Magna Carta plus its sister document - The Charter of the Forest. 

Together with this piece of English history, you can also find many temporary collections of artefacts from around the Sandwich area. 

5 Lower Leas Coastal Park

If you find yourself in nice weather, then this is one of the best places to go in Kent today. The Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone lets you walk through some of the most beautiful gardens in Kent to visit. 

Not only are there lovely paths and places to rest and have a picnic, but there is also a large free adventure area that is the largest free area in the South East. 

6 Dreamland Margate

Dreamland Margate is free to enter and offers many great rides. some of them are original to the park, including the old wooden roller-coaster. 

Along with the rides, there are also food vendors and drinks stalls so you can get refreshed at the same time. Throughout the year, Dreamland hosts concerts so you can always buy tickets to these events if you are in the area at the time. 

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the best places to visit for free in Kent. Let us know if you visited any of these or if you have recommendations of your own. 

How to Spend a Day in Canterbury - Visiting The Historic Kent City

With Canterbury being only 1 hour from London on the train, it makes the historic Kent town an ideal place for a day out. But, how to spend a day out in Canterbury that everyone will enjoy?

Canterbury is steeped in history that goes all the way back to the Roman era. This makes it not only a great place for history enthusiasts, but also for those looking for shopping, restaurants and other fun activities. 

Eating Out

When you arrive in Canterbury, you will likely want to have a bite to ear before you start. Thankfully, there are many restaurants and cafes in the city centre that offer everything from table service to take-away. 

If you are looking for a well-known establishment, then you can head to one of the restaurant chains such as Bills, Prezzo Italian, Wagamamas, or Five-Guys. 

For those that want to sample local restaurants, you are in for a treat. There are many independent establishments including, The Korean Cowgirl, Oscar & Bentleys and Old Weavers House to name a few. 

Historic Places

Canterbury historic places is a section that can go on forever, so I will give you a few of the most famous and interesting. 

• Westgate Gardens - Just a short way from Canterbury West train station is the Westgate Gardens. It is located alongside the Great Stour River and is one of the oldest parks in England. Not only is it old, but it is also a beautiful location where you can sit and relax or take in the stunning floral arrangements. 

• Westgate Towers - Near the Westgate Gardens is the historic Westgate Towers. This is part of the preserved medieval gatehouse that dates back to the 14th century. It formed part of the Roman wall that used to encircle Canterbury. Inside there is a museum and a WWll escape room which is a lot of fun. 

• Canterbury Cathedral - Ok, so no guide to Canterbury would be complete without mentioning the historic Canterbury Cathedral. It is one of the oldest and most important cathedrals in Britain and has become a pilgrimage for many even today. The cathedral was founded by St. Augustine when he first arrived in 597 AD.

Activities for Kids

Seeing the cathedral and the historic areas of Canterbury will be fun, but you may want to find fun kid's activities in Canterbury that will engage and entertain them. 

• Cinema - Now, you want to see a movie while in town, and there is the Curzon cinema near Westgate that often show a variety of movies for kids and young adults. 

• The Beany House of Art & Knowledge - This is not only an historic building in its own right but also home to the Canterbury Library and museum. There are also regular art exhibitions inside by local artists. 

• Toddlers Cove - For those with smaller children that like climbing and playing, there is Toddlers Cove which is just a short walk down from Westgate Gardens along the river. There are many types of play equipment and a large park for picnics and playing games. 

Nightlife in Canterbury

For those who don't have children with them, there is an opportunity to sample the nightlife that Canterbury has to offer. 

In and around Canterbury city you have Club Chemistry which is located by Canterbury East train station, Tokyo Tea Rooms near the bus station, and The Cuban which is down the high street. 

These are just a few of the many you can find to help you pass the evening with friends. 

Final Thoughts

This is how to spend a day in Canterbury, but there are many other Canterbury activities you can find. Let me know in the comments the places you found and which were your favourite.