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.