Visiting Canterbury and looking for the best things to do in Canterbury? Makes sense. Read on to discover why this quaint city in Kent is a must do for anyone visiting and travelling around England (and is also a fantastic day trip from London!). Discover the top things to do in Canterbury below.
1. Punting
There’s no doubt that the number one attraction in Canterbury is punting. While punting is famous is Oxford and Cambridge, it’s also a really cool experience in Canterbury. When we visited in November, we were catching the very end of the season; which, to be honest, was fantastic. It meant that we got a punting boat all to ourselves and the waterway was pretty much empty, except for us and a swan. We booked with this company and had a good time.
2. Westgate Gardens
Just outside of the main part of Canterbury is the gorgeous Westgate Gardens. We spent a part of the morning here walking along the river and exploring the gardens. You can find this beautiful spot through Google Maps here.
3. Wander through the Canterbury streets
Canterbury is what you imagine every British town to be like – but it’s better. Wander along the pavement, explore the shops, eat and drink at the many delicious options available and soak in the atmosphere. There are so many Instagrammable and photo spots as you explore.
4. Find the most Instagrammable street in Canterbury
Most of this cathedral city is Instagrammable and oh so photogenic, but there is one particular street that stands out above the rest. With classic British pub signs, a cute winding path and the view of the famous Cathedral in the background, put Butchery Lane at the top of your must see list. You can find this Instagrammable spot here.
5. Canterbury Cathedral
Ah, one of the most famous things to see in this city – the Cathedral. This cathedral is one of the oldest and most well known cathedrals in Britain, dating back to the Middle Ages. We spent the afternoon exploring the inside and outside of the cathedral, especially on the incredible cloisters, as shown below. Follow instructions from the cathedral itself on how to get here and view their official website for more information to help plan your visit. One thing that will surprise you about this place – it’s not a Harry Potter filming location. The cathedral famously declined filming permission to Warner Bros.
Suggested reads: Harry Potter locations in London you must visit & Harry Potter locations in Scotland you need to visit.
6. Stay at the Black Horse Inn Canterbury
This quaint bed and breakfast is one of the best places to stay in Canterbury. Located within walking distance to all the main Canterbury attractions, you can read all about what it’s like to stay at The Black Horse Inn Canterbury here.
7. Visit in Autumn
Finally, while I may be biased because we visited Canterbury in autumn, I would highly recommend visiting this city in Kent in autumn. Not only was it out of peak season (less crowds is always a bonus), the whole city was lit up with golden and yellow leaves. Being from North Australia, we spent a fair share of our time playing with the leaves. An added bonus is the closer you get to December, the more likely you’ll also be able to enjoy the Christmas markets, while you’re here also.
If you are interested in this, you may also be interested in:
- The best day trips from London
- Instagrammable locations in Bath, England
- The Bristol Tourist: Things to see in Bristol
- Visiting Great Missenden: A Roald Dahl day trip from London
- How to get to the Ouse Valley Viaduct
- Why you should visit Chester in Cheshire, England
- 10 places you must go in Cornwall
