Canterbury is without doubt one of the most well-known historic cities in England, largely as a consequence of it’s legendary UNESCO listed cathedral. However there’s way more to this historic city than the cathedral, and it’s among the finest locations to go to within the UK.
As I’ve been residing in Canterbury for some time now, I believed it was about time I shared my high suggestions for a wonderful weekend in Canterbury and close by Whitstable.
A Weekend in Canterbury & Whitstable – Ideas from a Native
As a lot as Canterbury is a fairly city steeped in historical past, it’s additionally a vibrant college city full of fascinating impartial outlets and eating places.
Mix exploring this storied metropolis with the close by quaint seaside city of Whitstable, well-known for its oysters, for an exquisite weekend or quick break inside simple attain of London.
Friday Evening – Begin your weekend in Canterbury
Canterbury has two prepare stations and may be reached in about 1 hour from London. If you happen to’re arriving into Canterbury West Station you’re within the good place to kick off your weekend in Canterbury with a chunk to eat at The Items Shed, a stylish and healthful farmers market, meals corridor and restaurant. Nicely, Canterbury is the center of Kent – the backyard of England, so it will be impolite to not strive the native, seasonal produce.
Subsequent amble by means of the historic streets of Canterbury and test into ABode. This 4 star, boutique lodge is completely positioned in a historic constructing in the course of the pedestrianised excessive road so you possibly can take advantage of your weekend in Canterbury by being inside simple attain to all town has to supply. It’s solely 350 yards from Canterbury Cathedral and has an award successful restaurant and cocktail bar and chic rooms.
It’s additionally reverse my favorite historic constructing in Canterbury – The Beaney Home of Artwork and Data. Canterbury’s museum, artwork gallery, library and customer info centre which is unquestionably price a glance.
An alternative choice is Canterbury Cathedral Lodge which presents snug and tasteful rooms with the refectory restaurant and terrace within the personal and peaceable grounds of the well-known Cathedral itself.
Saturday Morning – Go to Canterbury Cathedral
After all you possibly can’t have a weekend in Canterbury with out visiting Canterbury Cathedral! Make a beeline for one of many world’s largest, oldest and most well-known cathedrals within the morning earlier than the day trippers get there.
This necessary cathedral dates again to 597 however it’s been modified, broken and rebuilt significantly through the years and is now a UNESCO world heritage website and one of the well-known spiritual websites on this planet.
Canterbury’s cathedral’s fame is basically as a result of occasions of 1170, when Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered within the cathedral by King Henry II’s knights after Henry is famously reputed to have exclaimed “Will nobody rid me of this turbulent priest!”.
Thomas Becket turned a martyr and Canterbury turned the most well-liked pilgrimage website in England. The pilgrims purchased wealth and plenty of tales which impressed well-known works like Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. (Though the attraction of the identical identify is now completely closed) Learn extra in regards to the historical past right here
Canterbury Cathedral at this time continues to be an awe inspiring and completely large place to discover. The stained glass is especially stunning and dates again to the 1100’s making it among the oldest on this planet. though it might do with a bit extra signage and knowledge boards so if you’re actually within the historical past I’d suggest taking a guided tour.
It prices £12.50 to go to the Cathedral (you possibly can’t actually see it from outdoors) and sadly there’s alot of scaffolding on the entrance in the intervening time however it’s nonetheless price a go to. Think about how tough and costly it’s to maintain only a complicated and historic constructing standing for thus lengthy! Your entry payment will assist preserve this necessary piece of historical past.
Lunchtime at The Westgate Gardens
One of many issues I like greatest about Canterbury is that you would be able to see the imposing Westgate Tower as you stroll down the pedestrianised excessive road. It’s actually a stunning place to walk across the historic streets shopping the impartial outlets and boutiques.
After exploring the cathedral head to my favorite place in Canterbury – the Westgate Gardens.
In the summertime the Westgate Gardens are crammed with vibrant flowers and are one of the best place to loosen up watching the punts float by within the shadow of the Westgate Tower – the most important surviving medieval gateway within the UK. You’ll be able to go up the tower for an amazing viewpoint over town, additionally inside is a museum and escape rooms.
If you happen to’re feeling hungry in any case this historical past and exploring head over the river from the Westgate Gardens to Cafe Des Amis – it’s household owned and my go to for tasty Mexican meals by the river and gardens.
Saturday Afternoon – Loosen up on a Canterbury River Tour
One other factor you received’t wish to miss on a weekend in Canterbury is a river tour. By now you’ll in all probability have seen the punts floating alongside and, in the event you’re something like me, are in all probability desirous to get on the river your self!
You’ve obtained two choices for exploring Canterbury’s Nice Stour River; Westgate Punts undergo the picturesque Westgate Gardens, or be taught extra about Canterbury’s fascinating historical past and discover the opposite a part of the river that runs by means of the center of town on the unique Canterbury Historic River Excursions.
I felt the later was extra fascinating and loved the humorous method our information, John, informed us tales and info in regards to the historical past of Canterbury, however I received’t spoil it for you by telling you an excessive amount of right here.
The assembly level for the river tour is by the attractive Outdated Weavers Home and restaurant on the excessive road, close to the witches ducking stool!
On the tour you’ll journey previous this, underneath one of many oldest working highway bridges in Britain and as much as the mysterious Greyfriars’ Island, as soon as the house to the Franciscans (one in every of Canterbury’s many spiritual orders) when you be taught all about Canterbury’s storied previous.
I even obtained to have a go rowing. John made it look really easy – however the currents imply it’s truly actually tough!
Anybody for Afternoon Tea?!
One other factor I like about England is afternoon tea; mini sandwiches, dainty truffles, freshly baked scones with butter, strawberry jam and clotted cream and a pot of heat, comforting tea. Splash out and add a glass of glowing prosecco for an additional deal with.
My favorite place to go for afternoon tea in Canterbury is the quintessentially English Tiny Tim’s Tearoom. I like the historic constructing it’s positioned in too. If you happen to go be sure to go upstairs to the toilet – it’s an journey in itself the place you would possibly discover a shock.
Saturday Afternoon – Extra historical past or really feel good purchasing?
If you happen to thought you have been completed with historic sights then you definitely’d be improper. Canterbury has 2 extra websites that, along with the Cathedral, earned town it’s UNESCO itemizing. So if you wish to discover extra historical past additionally take a look at St Augustin’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church.
St Augustine’s Abbey is now principally ruins, other than this gatehouse pictured above which is now the doorway to The King’s Faculty, the oldest college in Britain. The Abbey was based shortly after AD 597 by St Augustine, who the Pope despatched over from Rome, on a mission to transform the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.
Entrance to St Augustine’s is free for members of English Heritage or £7.90 and contains an fascinating audio tour and entrance to the museum.
Do you know that small and humble St Martin’s Church in Canterbury has been a spot of worship since no less than the sixth century making it the oldest church in steady use within the English talking world. You’ll be able to visibly see the totally different constructing supplies and methods within the church, however the opening occasions are restricted. Test their web site first.
Or really feel good purchasing
Canterbury has loads of impartial outlets to discover, particularly across the King’s Mile which is devoted to them. If you happen to like to buy and likewise get the texture good issue there are a few fascinating locations in Canterbury to take a look at.
On the excessive road take a look at Unboxed Kent – an modern, zero waste retailer that doesn’t use any plastic packaging. Convey a container, purchase one there or refill paper luggage with on a regular basis necessities, eco merchandise and treats like sweets and even vegan wine.
Take a wander down the Kings Mile to take a look at the Crooked Home, a delightfully skewed seventeenth century half-timbered three story constructing on the far finish of Palace Avenue. It’s now a second hand bookshop run by volunteers that fundraises for native charity Catching Lives which helps homeless and weak individuals.
You could possibly even have a espresso or chunk to eat at Lily’s Social Kitchen close by. It’s a not for revenue cafe that provides coaching and work expertise to weak individuals or those that are sometimes missed for employment alternatives.
Saturday Evening in Canterbury
Begin off Saturday evening with award successful incarceration themed cocktails on the terrace or in your personal personal cell at The Pound, an atmospheric bar set within the metropolis’s outdated jail subsequent to the Westgate Tower.
Go for dinner in close by Cafe du Soleil a wonderful Mediterranean restaurant located in a former 18th century wool retailer on the river Stour. If you happen to really feel like dancing and cocktails in all probability one of the best place to go is The Cuban though I don’t actually charge Canterbury’s nightlife nowadays.
Sunday – Discover Whitstable
What higher approach to spherical off a weekend in Canterbury than spending a lazy Sunday strolling alongside the seafront within the quaint fishing city of Whitstable. A roughly 30 minutes drive or bus trip.
You could possibly even rent a motorcycle and trip the 7.5 miles from cloisters to oysters on the Crab and Winkle Means – it runs alongside the route and takes the identify of the primary railway line in Britain.
Whitstable is legendary for its oysters. When in Whitstable one of the best factor to do is to easily wander alongside the seafront and take in the sights and smells of this cute seaside city, and naturally, strive some oysters or deal with your self to a yummy seafood lunch.
There’s a path that runs just about all the way in which alongside the pebbled seaside seafront, by means of the harbour and as much as the grassy slopes and vibrant seaside huts at Tankerton.
Whitstable Harbour is a spotlight the place you’ll discover fishing boats, contemporary seafood eating places and little black huts promoting regionally made artwork, crafts and souvenirs.
It’s also possible to take a ship journey out to see the Pink Sands Sea Forts. These eerie forts, constructed as defences within the 2nd World Conflict, are actually deserted and seem like one thing straight out of Conflict of the Worlds. You’ll be able to see them from the boat however you possibly can’t truly go inside them.
If you happen to don’t wish to splash out on the costly seafood platters within the eating places there’s a kiosk within the harbour the place you possibly can strive an oyster for under £1. Whitstable oysters are so well-known they even have their very own oyster competition. You’ve obtained to strive no less than one when in Whitstable!
For lunch the Whitstable Oyster Firm Restaurant is without doubt one of the greatest serving contemporary oysters, fish and seafood on the seaside with a view of the corporate’s oyster grounds.
Additionally be sure to head off the seaside path and onto the excessive road and get a photograph of the lovable, pink Wheeler’s Oyster Bar. The meals’s actually good right here however the restaurant is small however you possibly can pre order cold and hot picnic bins for a tremendous deluxe picnic on the seaside.
If you happen to’re not so into seafood then Harbour Avenue Tapas could be my choose. Stroll off lunch by persevering with down the trail previous the quirky wood seafront huts and homes and cease for a drink within the Outdated Neptune Pub, the place the beer backyard is definitely on the seaside.
Whitstable can also be an amazing place to observe the sundown – it’s one of many few locations in England the place you possibly can see the solar touching down within the sea. Watch it from Tankerton Slopes when you day dream about proudly owning a seaside hut or with sundowners within the beachy beer backyard of the Outdated Neptune pub.
My Prime Canterbury and Whitstable Journey Tip
In case you are touring by prepare on your weekend in Canterbury and Whitstable it is likely to be extra handy so that you can e-book your tickets into Canterbury and out of Whitstable.
Regardless of the Crab and Winkle line between the Canterbury and Whitstable being one of many first passenger railway strains within the UK, they’re not on the identical line. So to get from Canterbury to Whitstable by rail you must change in Faversham.
I hope you discovered this publish useful. It’s been nice to point out you one of the best from my new UK residence base and I’m wanting ahead to performing some weekend journeys within the UK.
Have you ever obtained any extra suggestions for a weekend in Canterbury and Whitstable? I’d love to listen to them within the feedback under.
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