Why go?

With its fruity history and ecclesiastical grandeur, Canterbury tops the list of English cathedral cities. Nestled in Kent’s North Downs, just ten minutes from the coast, the city centre features a warren of narrow alleyways with pretty riverside gardens and a ring of ancient city walls whose stones could tell tales of the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170. However, Canterbury is not just an ode to the past and the tales of Chaucer, thanks to its lively centre, three universities and a buoyant food scene, with ingredients sourced from the surrounding countryside.

What to do

Canterbury has much for walkers to savour. Enter through the monumental 14th-century Westgate, the largest surviving medieval gatehouse in England, which offers the best views across the city from the top. While the towering cathedral is considered to be one of the finest examples in Europe, nearby St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church – which together with the cathedral form a Unesco World Heritage Site – are far less busy, giving you ample time to explore at leisure. The picturesque Westgate Parks westgateparks.co.uk follow the Great River Stour, winding through the pretty landscape and offering walks along the water. Meander through scenic gardens and meadows, where tranquil spots for leisurely picnics abound. Come evening, see a show at historic Marlowe Theatre marlowetheatre.com – one of the country’s landmark historical theatres. Opened before the First World War, it’s home to a diverse range of performances.

Where to stay

Don’t be fooled by the roadside location of restaurant with rooms The Corner House 01227 780793, cornerhouserestaurants.co.uk whose three good-sized, comfortable bedrooms, Tudor period details and cracking restaurant make it well worth booking in – as do the freshly baked croissants delivered to your door each morning. For a comfortable stay just moments away from the cathedral, aBode 01227 766266, abodecanterbury.co.uk is hard to better. Escape the buzz of the town and retreat to one of the artfully decorated rooms at chef Mark Sargeant’s B&B The Duke William 01227 721308, thedukewilliamickham.com in nearby Ickham. The outside space is a big draw, so commandeer a bench in the lovely garden and sample some of the craft beers on offer.

Where to eat and drink

Set in an 1830s railway goods shed, the Goods Shed 01227 459153, thegoodsshed.co.uk food market and restaurant is where Kent’s Garden of England tag begins to make sense. Using produce sourced from the market downstairs (which is also worth visiting for its standout Kentish lamb, cider, cobnut oil and slow-proven bread from Enzo’s bakery), the exposed-brick room with vast Victorian windows and scrubbed pine tables is the setting for halibut ‘gravalax’ with pickled cucumber and buckwheat blinis, roasted local chicken – a marriage of herby, succulent meat and crispy skin – and desserts such as apple and buttermilk pudding that cosset and hug. Nearby Wild Goose wildgoosefood.com is the spot for a greedy assault of the drinks list – start with a Gosling Martini, a mix of Sipsmith Gin, Dolin Dry vermouth, elderflower and lime. Brunch at Kitch Cafékitchcafe.co.uk – its salmon and homemade pancakes will soothe hazy heads, or head to Pork & Co 01227 764430, porkandco.co.uk for the 14-hour-roasted pulled pork rolls with homemade apple butter and pork scratchings.

Time running out?

Head to Canterbury Castle 01227 378100, one of the oldest in Britain, situated just a stone’s throw from Canterbury East station. Built by William the Conqueror in 1070, the Norman roofless shell is surrounded by neatly manicured lawns, which give reason to linger on a sunny day.

Travel Information

Travel Information

Getting There

South Eastern Trains run regular train services from London Victoria, St Pancras and Charing Cross to both Canterbury East and Canterbury West stations. The journey from St Pancras takes around 1 hour. southeasternrailway.co.uk

National Express runs between Dover, Canterbury and London Victoria at hourly frequencies. Typical journey time is around 2 hours. nationalexpressgroup.com

Resources

Visit Canterbury is the local tourist board and its website is full of information to help you plan your trip. canterbury.co.uk