Top Things To Do In Canterbury, England (+ Map)
England guide
Top Things To Do In Canterbury, England (+ Map)
Canterbury is one of the easiest historic day trips from London: medieval lanes, a world-famous cathedral, riverside gardens, independent shops, cosy cafes, old pubs, and enough history to fill a whole weekend. It works beautifully as a slow day trip from London, especially if you arrive into Canterbury West and walk straight into the old city through Westgate Gardens.
Table of contents
Top things to do in Canterbury
- Visit Canterbury Cathedral. This is the city’s headline sight and part of Canterbury’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- See the UNESCO trio: Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church.
- Walk the Cathedral Quarter. Old lanes, timber-framed buildings, courtyards, bookshops, cafes and cathedral views.
- Spend time in Westgate Gardens. A gentle riverside walk along the River Stour.
- See Westgate Towers. One of the most recognisable medieval landmarks in Canterbury.
- Browse independent shops and old lanes. Burgate, Palace Street, Butchery Lane and Sun Street are good areas to wander.
- Visit The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge. A museum, gallery and library in a historic building.
- Stop at The Goods Shed. A food hall and restaurant near Canterbury West.
- Take a river tour in warmer weather. The River Stour is one of the prettiest ways to see the city.
- Stay for dinner. Canterbury has riverside dining, cosy pubs and relaxed city-centre restaurants.
One-day Canterbury itinerary
- Morning: arrive at Canterbury West, walk through Westgate Gardens and enter the old city through Westgate Towers.
- Late morning: explore the Cathedral Quarter, then visit Canterbury Cathedral.
- Lunch: go to The Goods Shed, a pub, or an independent cafe.
- Afternoon: visit St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church if you want the full UNESCO route.
- Slow city time: browse independent shops, stop at The Beaney or sit down for coffee.
- Golden hour: return to the river, Westgate Gardens or Westgate Towers before heading back.
Where to eat in Canterbury
Breakfast & brunch
- Kitch — breakfast, brunch, coffee, cakes and healthier lunch options.
- Cosy Club Canterbury — reliable for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails.
- The Goods Shed — coffee, produce and a market-style start near Canterbury West.
Lunch
- The Goods Shed — local produce and market atmosphere.
- Café du Soleil — riverside restaurant with Mediterranean-style food.
- The Foundry BrewPub — brewery, distillery, pub food and drinks.
Dinner
- Café du Soleil — relaxed dinner by the River Stour.
- The Foundry BrewPub — craft beer, casual dinner and pub feel.
- Cosy Club Canterbury — easy central option for food and drinks.
Best quick plan
- Morning coffee: Kitch or The Goods Shed.
- Lunch: The Goods Shed or Café du Soleil.
- Dinner: Café du Soleil or The Foundry BrewPub.
Canterbury map
Map pins to add: Canterbury West Station, Westgate Gardens, Westgate Towers, Canterbury Cathedral, Cathedral Quarter, The Beaney, St Augustine’s Abbey, St Martin’s Church, The Goods Shed, Kitch, Café du Soleil, The Foundry BrewPub, Cosy Club Canterbury.
How to get to Canterbury from London
Canterbury is one of the easiest historic day trips from London by train. The fastest route is usually the high-speed Southeastern train from London St Pancras International to Canterbury West, with journey times from around 51 minutes. Canterbury West is convenient for this walking route because you can start with The Goods Shed, Westgate Gardens and Westgate Towers before entering the old city.
You can also travel to Canterbury East, which is close to the city centre. Always check live train times before travelling, especially at weekends and during engineering works.
Best for: London day trip, medieval streets, cathedral history, solo wandering, bookshops, cafes and an easy train escape.
How long to spend: one full day is enough for the main sights; stay overnight if you want a slower weekend in Kent.
Sources to verify before final publish
Official sources: Canterbury Cathedral, UNESCO World Heritage listing, English Heritage — St Augustine’s Abbey, Southeastern trains to Canterbury, Visit Canterbury.
Map links for Canterbury
Canterbury is compact, so a map is best used to keep the day relaxed rather than to add more stops. Save the cathedral area, the old streets, a lunch stop and the station before you go.