Canterbury, United Kingdom

Canterbury

A medieval walled city around a famous cathedral.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Canterbury

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit Canterbury Cathedral, where Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170.
  2. AfternoonTake a punt or rowing boat along the river Stour through the old town.
  3. EveningHave dinner in the medieval lanes around the Buttermarket.

Day 2

Visit the seaside town of Whitstable for oysters.

What to eat

A Kentish ale from one of the region's breweries.

Local tips

Make the most of Canterbury

Beat the crowds

The cathedral is busiest midday. Come early or late afternoon.

Best photo spot

The cathedral from the gardens, and the river with the old weavers' houses.

Getting there

Trains from London take about an hour.

Don't miss nearby

The white cliffs of Dover, about 30 minutes away.

Good to know

Canterbury Cathedral has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. The old town walls are free to walk.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Canterbury

Our most hidden places around Canterbury: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Canterbury to take with you.

44 km away
86 km away
97 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Canterbury

Getting there

  • London Southend Airport (SEN)40 km away
  • London Stansted Airport (STN)90 km away
  • London85 km away
  • Brighton100 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryUnited Kingdom

Questions

Canterbury: good to know

Is Canterbury worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A medieval walled city around a famous cathedral.

How many days do you need in Canterbury?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Canterbury?

You can visit all year. The cathedral is busiest midday. Come early or late afternoon.

How do you get to Canterbury?

The nearest airport is London Southend Airport (SEN), about 40 km away. Trains from London take about an hour.

What is there to see near Canterbury?

Nearby hidden places include London (87 km), Brighton (99 km) and Cambridge (122 km).

Day trips from Canterbury: 5 hidden places nearby
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