Canterbury City

Canterbury is one of England's most storied cities, a compact and walkable cathedral city in east Kent whose history stretches back to Roman Durovernum Cantiacorum and beyond. The city is dominated by the towers of Canterbury Cathedral, mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the site of Thomas Becket's murder in 1170, an event that turned Canterbury into one of medieval Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations and inspired Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

The cathedral, the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey and the ancient St Martin's Church together make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the reintroduction of Christianity to southern England in 597 AD. Much of the medieval city wall survives, including the impressive Westgate Towers at the western entrance, and timber-framed buildings line streets such as Palace Street and Mercery Lane. The River Stour flows through the centre and offers gentle punted tours past gardens, mills and the former hospital of the Black and White Friars.

Beyond the historic core, Canterbury is a lively university city with theatres, museums, independent shops and a strong cafe and restaurant scene. Two railway stations, Canterbury East and Canterbury West, provide fast services from London, making it an easy and rewarding day out by public transport.