CANTERBURY- The Cathedral City

Canterbury is a popular cathedral city in Kent. It is also known as the Garden of England. The name suggests it all. Canterbury is a beautiful city filled with natural landscape, medieval walls, Roman heritage, and ancient streets. However, Canterbury gets its popularity as the cathedral city from the famous landmark – the Canterbury Cathedral. The beautiful monument is the seat of power of the most senior cleric of the Church of England and Anglican Commission – the Archbishop of Canterbury.  It is one of those places that makes you marvel at the creativity of man.

History In Every Corner

Canterbury did not become a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a fluke. The city wears its history in the open. You don’t need to look too far for its historical monuments because they are everywhere. Shops, restaurants, and hotels are built on the remains of Roman ruins, timber-framed houses occupy both sides of narrow streets, and you can see the Cathedral’s spires no matter where you are in town.

The city’s heritage site encompasses three areas within its territory. The most popular, of course, is the Canterbury Cathedral, the city’s central monument. The cathedral is a large, echoing nave, with towering walls, glass windows, stone dragons, and grotesque and medieval architecture. The cathedral dates back over 1400 years and is one of England’s oldest cathedrals. The Mother Church of the Church of England. You can walk the quiet and hallowed halls of the cathedral; admire the Gothic architecture featured all around. You can walk through musty old crypts to visit the tombs of old kings and gaze at the spot where Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170.

Just a short walk away from the cathedral, St. Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church, round out the city’s UNESCO World Heritage trio. The Abbey was a former monastery that also served as a burial space for former Anglo-Saxon kings and the first Archbishops. Saint Martin’s Church, on the other hand, is the English-speaking world’s oldest church. The trio makes for a deep-rooted history of England’s church and history.

Beyond The Cathedral

While the Cathedral is the main attraction for anyone visiting Canterbury, the city’s center, filled with medieval streets, is also worth visiting. You can simply walk round King’s Mile and the Cathedral Quarter. Just follow the winding timeless streets to cute artisan boutiques, little tearooms, and hidden bookshops that warmly invite you indoors. If you would rather visit nature instead, the River Stour carries you through an interesting journey, beneath old stone bridges. The river passes through ivy-draped houses and the Greyfriars Chapel.

If you love the River Stour tour, you will also love the Westgate Gardens. You can take a stroll across the park in the winter or picnic within its colorful space during spring and summer. You can also explore other green spaces across the city like Franciscan Garden, Solly Orchard, and Jane Dane Gardens. 

Canterbury is a city that wears its history on its sleeve; the city’s modern side shines just as bright, too. A little reminder that the city is alive and living firmly in the future. The city is lined with the very best of restaurants, serving only the finest dishes made with local Kentish produce. There are traditional pubs offering locally brewed ale and a touch of community, and cozy cafes that are the best for people-watching. 

Food lovers will particularly love the Goods Shed, an impressive Farmers’ Market next to Canterbury West Station. It’s the go-to for the best local fare and goodies. If you are a lover of beer and other drinks, head over to Canterbury’s beer distillery, The Foundry. The distillery has some of the best selection of ales, whiskey, beers, and gins within city walls.

The Natural Beauty Outside the City Walls

The surrounding countryside and coastal area are also a must-visit when in Canterbury. You can enjoy a deeply calming walk amid the ancient trees of Blean woods, one of southern England’s largest nature reserves. Or visit any of the several vineyards located all around Canterbury thanks to Kent’s chalky soil. Vineyard Estates like Simpsons Wine Estate and Chartham Vineyard offer guest tours and wine tasting events. 

A short drive from Canterbury walls gets you to the Kent coast, where you can breathe in the briny air and search for oysters inside cold sea water. 

Festival That Makes The City Come Alive

Festivals are an innate part of Canterbury and every year, the streets come alive with the best parties. From the Canterbury Festival that takes place every autumn to celebrate music, theatre, and arts in the city to the Oktoberfest that adds a layer of Bavarian twist to the basic English town. The Medieval Pageant and Family Trail, on the other hand, celebrates the city’s legendary past with pageantry and communal fun.

A City That Has It All

Canterbury is one of the cities in England that has it all. A historical city that has thrived throughout hundreds of years. The city of Canterbury is a combination of rich coastal regions surrounding the city boundaries. It has quite a few ethereal woodlands and parks inside and outside of the city walls, and a prosperous agricultural landscape. 

Tourists visit Canterbury to enjoy the remarkable Canterbury Cathedral, but they stay for the connection to a beautiful city; every blessed year. A perfect blend of ancient landmarks, natural beauty, man-made wonders, and modern masterpieces– yeah, that’s Canterbury for you. It is not only beautiful, but it also leaves a lasting memory in everyone who visits.

Location: Canterbury, Kent, Garden of England, England, United Kingdom