19 Best Things to Do in Canterbury (Perfect Day Trip from London + Map)

Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Shiraz

 Planning a trip to England? If so, you must add Canterbury to your itinerary! Read this post for the best things to do in Canterbury.

Canterbury is one of the most charming and historic cities in England, making it the perfect destination for a memorable day trip from London. From medieval streets and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to cosy cafés and scenic riverside walks, there are so many incredible things to do in Canterbury for every type of traveler.

In this guide, you’ll discover the 19 best things to do in Canterbury, including must-see attractions like Canterbury Cathedral, hidden gems, the most photogenic streets, and the best places to eat and drink. Whether you’re planning a quick Canterbury day trip, putting together a detailed Canterbury itinerary, or simply looking for unique and free things to do in Canterbury, this guide has you covered.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a complete Canterbury travel guide with a map, practical tips on how to get there from London, the best time to visit, where to stay, and even nearby places to explore so you can plan the perfect trip with ease.

This post is all about things to do in Canterbury.

Canterbury Travel Guide: everything you need to know before visiting

Canterbury is a historic city in Kent, southeast England, known for its medieval streets, rich heritage, and iconic Canterbury Cathedral. Located just under an hour from London, it’s one of the easiest and most popular day trips in England. Despite its compact size, there are plenty of things to do in Canterbury, from exploring historic landmarks to discovering hidden gems, scenic walks, and local food spots.

Quick Facts

• Location: Kent, England
• Distance from London: ~1 hour by train
• Time needed: 1 day (or 1–2 days for a relaxed visit)
• Getting around: Walkable city centre
• Best for: History, architecture, and day trips

Overall, Canterbury is one of the best places to visit in England for a historic yet easy day trip from London. 

19 Best Things to do in Canterbury, England

To make it easy to plan your trip to Canterbury, I have categorized the best places to visit in Canterbury into sub-categories. Additionally, since I always look for the best photo spots everywhere I go, I have made sure to add my photo tips sprinkled in throughout the guide. Lastly, you can find an embedded map below with all of the spots mentioned in this guide! Feel free to use it while exploring Canterbury to make it easy to find all of the best spots. Note that it doesn’t work in offline mode, so you will need internet to access it even if you save it locally. 

Best Photo Spots in Canterbury

 1. Mercery Lane

I am starting this guide of the best things to do in Canterbury with my absolute favorite photo spot! Mercery Lane is a stunning medieval street leading up to Christ Church Gate. This gate is the main entrance to Canterbury Cathedral, and it is incredibly stunning. Due to its historic charm its one of the most photographed streets in the city. The name Mercery stems from when the street was bustling with merchants trading in textiles, fabrics, and other goods in the Middle Ages. 

Pro Tip: This is a busy street leading up to Canterbury High Street, so for the best photos, I highly recommend visiting as early as possible!

2. Butchery Lane

Butchery Lane can be found close to Mercery Lane. This is another one of my favorite photo spots in Canterbury. This time, when standing at the entrance on the Parade Street side, you will get a magnificent view of Canterbury Cathedral through the street. Taking a stroll through here is an absolute must while visiting Canterbury. 

In Butchery Lane, you can also find the Canterbury Roman Museum. This is the perfect place to learn more about the history of Canterbury under Roman rule, and even features the remains of a Roman Courtyard house, which was discovered during World War II. 

Pro Tip: While it’s less busy than Mercery Lane, for the best photos, I recommend stopping here early as well!

3. Westgate Gardens

I probably sound like a broken record by now, but Westgate Gardens is another stunning photo spot in Canterbury! The city is truly filled with so many beautiful spots that it’s hard not to gush over them all. If you have seen videos from Canterbury, then I guarantee that they featured clips from Westgate Gardens. The highlight here is the Westgate Gardens Riverside. While this garden is small, the city council does such a great job at planting such a wide variety of flowers here that it is usually blooming all around. 

PS. If you want to see the Westgate Gardens at their best, then visiting either in spring or summer is ideal!

If you visit in spring, as I did, you will likely get to see the Magnolia trees here as well. Overall, the best thing to do at the gardens is to admire the flowers, enjoy views over the Great Stour river, and Westgate Towers. If you happen to be visiting on a warm and sunny day, then you will likely also see some punting tours passing by. 

Pro Tip: Many people go inside the Westgate Gardens Riverside area between the flowers for photos, but signs around the garden prohibit this, so please respect the local rules while visiting!

4. Kings Bridge

Kings Bridge is located along the Canterbury High Street, so it’s a spot most people pass without even realizing it. The bridge offers views over another section of the Great Stour River. This is usually a part of all punting tour routes, so it’s the perfect place to catch some boats passing by! 

PS. While in this area of the High Street, make sure to also look back at the Westgate Towers! My personal favorite spot to photograph them is from by the Lady Luck pub, but the view from Kings Bridge is also great!

5. St. Dunstan’s Street

St. Dunstan’s Street is a cute street lined with shops and pubs. My favorite part of strolling through here is enjoying the view of the Westgate Towers. If you have a zoom lens (either on a camera or just your phone camera, as most iPhones have), then stand by the roundabout connecting St. Dunstan’s Street with Station Road West. From here, you can get the perfect photo of the charming shops and the impressive tower in the background! You can use the photo below for inspiration. These kinds of combinations of old gates and towers surrounded by quintessential English buildings are some of my favorite views in England. 

6. The Crooked House

The Crooked House in Canterbury is one of the most iconic sights in the city. This crooked 17th-century half-timbered house sits at the end of Palace Street and currently houses a book shop that’s worth checking out as well! It’s by far the quirkiest building in Canterbury, but it’s a fun spot to check out and see the incredibly crooked first floor. 

Historic Attractions & Landmarks Canterbury

7. Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral is by far the most famous (and historic) site in Canterbury. It is the Cathedral of the archbishop of Canterbury, and it is one of the oldest Christian structures in England. 

Opening hours: 

• Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 17:00 (last admission at 16:00)
• Sunday 12:30 – 17:00 (last admission at 16:00)

Note that on Sundays, the Cathedral grounds are open from 11:30, you just can’t enter the actual Cathedral until the Sunday Service is done around 12:30. In addition, the opening times for the public may change based on services and special events, so I highly recommend double-checking the opening times before your visit here. 

Ticket prices: 

It is always free to attend a service in the Cathedral, but if you would like to visit outside of service, tickets are quite pricy and vary based on season. Below is a quick overview of the prices:

• October to March: £18 per adult
• April to September: £19.50 per adult
• Weekend entry in July & August: £21 per adult

While the tickets are valid for a full year and allow re-entry, buying a year-long access is not necessary for most visitors. Due to the high price, I personally decided to skip visiting the interior, especially since it appeared to resemble Wells Cathedral quite a lot, which I had been to. If you love seeing the stunning architecture of the Cathedrals in England, then Canterbury Cathedral really is a beautiful one to see! Otherwise, if you are more like me, then I would say save the money, and enjoy the free views of the Cathedral exterior, which you can see all around the city!

8. St. Augustine’s Abbey

St. Augustine’s Abbey is another top historical site in Canterbury. The monastery was founded in AD 598 by St. Augustine, a missionary from Rome, who baptised the pagan King Ethelbert of Kent, marking the first convert to Christianity. To mark his conversion, King Ethelbert gave Augustine land to build the first monastery in Anglo-Saxon England. Today, the site hosts a museum which traces how the monastery was rebuilt by the Normans, before becoming a Tudor royal palace. 

Opening hours:

• Open daily from 10:00 – 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)

As always, I highly recommend double-checking the opening times before visiting in case of sudden closures, which you can see here. 

Ticket prices:

Ticket prices here are dynamic, so they vary slightly depending on how far in advance you book / the day of the week. In addition, prices vary slightly depending on whether you book your ticket online in advance or on the day. I’ll provide a quick overview below, but feel free to check out the exact prices here, including various discounts for children and concession visitors. 

• Standard advanced online tickets: £12.30 per adult 
• Saver advanced online ticket: £10.80 per adult
• Super saver online ticket: £9.30 per adult

9. Westgate Towers

The Westgate Towers in Canterbury are the largest surviving medieval gateways in England. The Westgate was built during the ‘One Hundred Years’ War’ and is 18 meters tall. Today, it is a museum, bar, and entertainment venue. The museum covers four themes, including City Wars, Crime & Punishment, Westgate Through History, and Magna Carta & The Marquettes. 

You can easily combine a visit to the museum with a stunning view over Canterbury, as well as a drink at the bar, with terrace seating options, making a visit to Westgate Towers one of the best things to do in Canterbury. 

Opening hours:

• Sunday to Friday from 12:00 – 16:00 (last entry at 15:45)
• Saturday – closed 

PS. In January – March, the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Ticket prices:

• Adults: £4
• Student/concession: £3
• Child (5-17): £2 

Pro Tip: If you decide to eat something at The Pound or Felons Coffeehouse, then you can get free entry when you show your food receipt. 

10. Canterbury City Walls

Another historical Canterbury tourist attraction is the Canterbury city walls. Like many cities, the city walls are a series of defensive walls built around the city, and were first built by the Romans around 280 AD. Today, the most prominent sections still intact can be found near the Canterbury East train station. It’s quite close to the city center, so I think it’s worth checking out, even if just for a little while. Otherwise, you can also enjoy some sections around Westgate Gardens where the wall used to run, with the Westgate Towers still standing.  

11. Buttermarket Square

The Buttermarket Square is the main square in Canterbury, and I honestly think it wins the title of cutest square name! Beyond its fun name, the market is located off the High Street in front of the Christ Church Gate leading to Canterbury Cathedral. While there is not a whole lot to do here per se, the main square in a city is always a great spot to check out. If the weather is good when you are visiting, definitely sit outside at one of the pubs here to enjoy the lively atmosphere and some people-watching. 

12. Friars Street

To be completely honest, the main reason the Friars made this list of the best things to do in Canterbury is that I accidentally stumbled across it, and ended up finding one of my favorite photo spots! From Friars Bridge, you can get an epic photo of the charming pastel colored houses, with the Canterbury Cathedral in the background. It honestly ended up being one of my favorite photos from Canterbury, so make sure to check it out! 

Pro Tip: Even when the city gets busy, this area remains quite calm and quiet, so it’s the perfect place to explore and see what you find.

Gardens & Unique Experiences in Canterbury

13. Franciscan Gardens

Hidden in the center of Canterbury, you can find the charming Franciscan Gardens. The gardens are located right on the river and right off the High Street, making them the perfect calm escape. The gardens are also home to Greyfriars Chapel and offer both historical and scenic spots to explore. 

Opening hours:

• January to March: subject to weather 
• April to September: Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11:30 – 16:00 
• October to December: subject to weather 

Ticket prices:

• Adults: £5
• Children: Free

You can read more about things to do in the Franciscan Gardens here to decide if it’s worth the entrance fees. 

14. Abbots Mill Garden

The Abbots Mill Garden feels like a true hidden gem in Canterbury. Located on the outskirts of the city center, Abbots Mill Garden offers a relaxing little garden to enjoy. If you decide to check it out, then you will also be able to explore the Abbot’s Mill Project. This project is focused on installing a functioning water wheel and various sustainability initiatives, which is super cool. You can read more about the project here.  

Pro Tip: This is another great photo spot of the Canterbury Cathedral from afar! 

15. Canterbury Punting Company

If the weather is nice during your visit, then you must also explore the city from the water! Therefore, one of the best things to do in Canterbury is to go on a punting tour. If you have never heard of punting before, it’s a traditional English boating activity, somewhat similar to a gondola ride (I realize that there is a clear difference, but I feel like the comparison is still helpful 😅). 

Canterbury Punting Company is probably the best-known tour operator in Canterbury, and they offer both private and shared tours. The tours last around 40 – 45 minutes, and the prices vary quite a bit for both tour types, based on the date and time you choose. If you’re interested in exploring Canterbury by boat, then you can read more about the tours and prices here.

Best Cafés & Places to Eat in Canterbury

16. Fringe & Ginge Coffee

No city guide is complete without some café and restaurant recommendations. My first recommendation is Fringe & Ginge Coffee, which is a super cute (and aesthetic) cafe in Canterbury. They serve great coffee and have a good selection of pastries and toasts to enjoy! The only downside is that the cafe is quite small with limited seating options. 

17. Garage Coffee Roasters

While Fringe & Ginge was the cafe I was planning on visiting during my trip to Canterbury, there was no seating available when it started pouring, and I needed to seek refuge. Luckily, I stumbled across Garage Coffee as an alternative, and I’m so glad that I did! Garage Coffee Roasters is located super centrally, just by Canterbury Cathedral and Buttermarket. It also has more seating options, so I would highly recommend it if you are a bigger group. The coffee is great, and they also have vegan treats available, which is always a bonus in my book! 😋

18. The Goods Shed

The Goods Shed is a farmers’ market, food hall, and restaurant all in one, located by Canterbury West station. The Farmers Market includes a selection of various local produce, including fresh vegetables from local Kentish farms, fish, cheeses, meats, and more. The Goods Shed building is absolutely stunning, and you can also book a table at the restaurant to experience a wonderful farm-to-table style meal in a gorgeous setting! This is definitely one of the more unique experiences you can have in Canterbury when it comes to restaurants. You can find more information regarding opening times and the menu here. 

19. The Parrot

Another super cozy restaurant in Canterbury that you need to check out during your visit is the Parrot pub. This historic pub was established in 1370 and is the perfect spot for a traditional pub experience in Canterbury. If the weather is good, then definitely look for a table in their courtyard! The Parrot is better at catering for vegans and vegetarians, so if you have any dietary restrictions, I would recommend the Parrot over The Goods Shed. You can find more information regarding opening times and the menu here. 

How to get to Canterbury from London

Getting to Canterbury from London is super easy, and you have several options. Below, I have outlined how to get to Canterbury from London by car, public transport, and guided tour, so that you can choose what fits your plans best!

Car: 

If you are exploring England by car, then the drive to Canterbury from London takes about 1.5 hours. When it comes to parking, I highly recommend Queningate Car Park for its central location and large number of parking spaces available. That being said, the downside here is that it is quite an expensive car park at £3.5 an hour. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like other car parks are cheaper, and they mostly have pretty bad reviews. 

If you’re looking to rent a car in England, I highly recommend Sunny Cars! Insurance is automatically included in the rental price (full coverage), and they have great cancellation policies and customer service. 

Public transport:

It’s honestly super easy to get to Canterbury by public transport from London! You even have three direct train options and a bus option running between the two cities. 

• Option 1: Take the southeastern train from London Victoria to Canterbury East (direction of train is Dover Priory)
  • The train takes around an hour and 25 minutes
• Option 2: Take the southeastern train from London Bridge to Canterbury West (direction of train is Ramsgate)
  • The train takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Option 3: Take the southeastern train from St Pancras to Canterbury West (direction of train is Margate)
  • This is the fastest route as the train takes 55 minutes
• Option 4: Take the National Express bus from London Eltham to the University of Kent in Canterbury (direction of the bus is Dover)
  • The bus takes around one hour and 20 minutes (+ traffic)

To be honest, getting to Canterbury by public transportation doesn’t get easier than this! While I highly recommend opting for a train option for maximal comfort and timeliness, the train prices in the UK are, unfortunately, utterly ridiculous. Expect train tickets to cost around £35 each way. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, then I would recommend the National Express bus! 

Guided tour:

Lastly, if you would like to combine a trip to Canterbury with other attractions nearby, then I would recommend considering a guided tour! One of the best guided tours going from London to Canterbury also includes exploring the cliffs of Dover. This is a great way to see several incredible spots in one day, and most tours include a guide that provide historical contexts and local knowledge. These tours start and end in central London, so it’s also a great way to not have to worry about transport or logistics and just show up and enjoy the trip! Below are some of the best tours offered from London to Canterbury. 

Best time to visit Canterbury

The best time to visit Canterbury is during spring (April to June) and summer (June to September), when the city is at its most vibrant and scenic. During these months, you can enjoy longer daylight hours, warmer weather, and some of the best outdoor things to do in Canterbury, including punting along the River Stour and walking through the blooming riverside paths of Westgate Gardens.

Spring is especially beautiful in Canterbury, with colourful flowers and greenery bringing the historic city to life. It’s the perfect season for exploring the medieval streets, visiting gardens, and enjoying quieter sightseeing before the peak summer crowds arrive. Summer is ideal for outdoor cafés, riverside walks, and popular activities like punting tours, making it one of the best times for a Canterbury day trip from London.

If you want the best combination of pleasant weather, blooming gardens, and outdoor activities, late spring and early summer are widely considered the best months to visit Canterbury.

Where to stay when visiting Canterbury

The best places to stay in when visiting Canterbury really depend on whether you are interested in visiting for a day trip from London, or to stay the night and get to know the region better. If you choose to visit as a day trip from London, I highly recommend finding a central stay, as London is absolutely massive. The stays below are close to London Bridge, as it’s one of the best areas in the city, and close to the London Bridge station, making it a convenient location. 

Alternatively, if you want to explore, spend a few days exploring the city and its nearby attractions, then I would recommend staying in Canterbury. 

Best places to visit near Canterbury

Rye 

Rye is the perfect day trip from Canterbury! Rye is a charming town in East Sussex, only 40 minutes away from Canterbury. Rye offers the perfect mix of history, nature, and small-town charm. I absolutely love the mix of cobbled stones, medieval architecture, and cozy pubs. The town is small enough to explore in just a few hours, with highlights including the picturesque Mermaid Street, historic Mermaid Pub, and the Landsgate. If you don’t mind a long day, you could technically combine a day trip to Canterbury and Rye from London. 

It’s super easy to visit Rye by public transport. From Canterbury West, take the southeastern train heading towards London Charing, getting off at Ashford International. Here, change to the Southern train heading to Eastbourne, getting off at Rye. The total journey should take between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on the waiting time at Ashford International. 

Read More: 10 Things to do in Rye, East Sussex

FAQs about visiting Canterbury

Is Canterbury worth visiting?

Yes, Canterbury is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy historic cities, medieval architecture, and charming English streets. Home to the famous Canterbury Cathedral, the city offers a mix of history, culture, scenic green spaces, cafés, and hidden gems, making it one of the best day trips from London.

How long do you need in Canterbury?

Most visitors only need one day in Canterbury to see the main attractions, including Canterbury Cathedral, the historic city centre, and the medieval streets. However, spending 1–2 days in Canterbury allows more time to explore local spots and combine a visit with nearby attractions such as Rye.

Is Canterbury walkable?

Yes, Canterbury is a very walkable city. Most of the top things to do in Canterbury are located within the compact city centre, making it easy to explore on foot in a single day. Many of the historic streets are pedestrian-friendly, and walking is the best way to experience the city’s atmosphere.

What is Canterbury famous for?

Canterbury is most famous for Canterbury Cathedral, one of the most important religious landmarks in England and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also known for its medieval history, Roman roots, and its connection to The Canterbury Tales.

Can you visit Canterbury as a day trip from London?

Yes, Canterbury is one of the best day trips from London thanks to its fast train connections and compact city centre. Trains from London to Canterbury take around one hour, making it easy to explore the city’s main attractions, historic streets, and cafés in a single day.

This post was all about the 19 best things to do in Canterbury (perfect day trip from London + map)!