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.