Catching the high speed train from London may not be quite the same vibe as when pilgrims took to the road to make the journey on foot to Canterbury all those centuries ago, but never the less, the train service from London makes Canterbury a perfect weekend getaway and still a place of pilgrimage for many to this day. Easily accessible and compact, the city is perfect for exploring on foot in all seasons.
The city has special memories for me as I lived there for 4 years when I was a drama student at the university many (many!) years ago. The city hasn’t really changed that much and still retains its unique features with cobbled streets, historical buildings, abundance of pubs, a great food scene and of course the impressive cathedral, all surrounded by the Kent countryside.
We stayed at The Falstaff, a pretty, centrally located hotel just a couple of minutes walk from the impressive Westgate Towers and the high street. As well as it’s location the hotel also has a great cocktail bar!
The high street is great for exploring and there are a variety of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Make sure you check out the Kings Mile, Sun Street and Butchery Lane for independent shops and cafes.
No trip to Canterbury would be complete without a visit to the cathedral. A place of pilgrimage and the heart of the Christian church, the cathedral is vast and visitors can enjoy exploring the different parts including the crypt, cloisters, ruins and learning all about the turbulent history of this UNSESCO World Heritage Site.
Elsewhere, the River Stour runs through the city and taking a trip along the river is a pleasant way to spend an hour, giving you the opportunity to view the city from a different perspective and learning a bit more about the city’s buildings and history.
Other highlights include taking a walk through the pretty Westgate Gardens, viewing the city from the Westgate Towers viewing platform, walking along the city’s walls, visiting the Beany House of Art and Knowledge, St Augustine’s Abbey, The Franciscan Gardens and the Roman Museum.
For food the Goods Shed is a must for local, seasonal produce, Cafe Des Amis is a city institution serving fabulous Mexican food, Cafe St Pierre is lovely for pastries and light lunches and is a bit of a gem on the high street, head to The Fig and the Shakespeare Wine and Coffee House for wine and charcuterie boards. For cocktails head to The Pound (located in the city’s former prison!). Other favourites include The Corner House for simple, local and seasonal food, Happy Samurai for noodles and sushi, Chapter for wood fired, sourdough pizzas and The Foundry for one of the city’s best brunch spots.
My best advice would be to grab a coffee and pastry, and take to the streets for a good wander, soaking up the history of this pretty and unique city, before choosing a spot for a glass of wine and dinner. A very modern day pilgrim!