|
If you're looking for a historic, UNESCO World Heritage site that can easily fit into a half day from London, consider a day trip to Canterbury!
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Post updated May, 2020. Considering a day trip to Canterbury from London?
Canterbury is synonymous with some of the most famous pieces of English culture, including Canterbury Tales and the murder of Thomas Becket - a mainstay of history class (I won't tell anyone if you admit that you've forgotten - you can catch up on the details below, before your trip).
Canterbury is an adorable, quintessentially English town. If you're interested in the history, or you just want to escape the hustle and bustle of London for a day, check it out! Visit the ancient Canterbury Cathedral, still the headquarters of the Church of England, drop by a classic pub, and take a stroll through centuries of history, before you hop on the train back to London! 
Outside the city gates (on the walk in from the train station)
Is Canterbury an easy day trip from London?
Yes! Canterbury is an extremely easy day trip from London. There are lots of quick trains, frankly it's just not that far of a distance, and there's enough to keep you entertained.
Personally, a half day was really plenty for us. It's a small town, and with the limited amount of time required to get there, we did think it was worth heading back to London after a few hours. So, I'm going to call it a "half-day" trip! How to Get to Canterbury
|
Getting into Canterbury from the train station
Thankfully, like so many English cities, it's an incredibly easy walk from the train station to the center of Canterbury, and all of its major attractions, including Canterbury Cathedral. Take the quick jaunt into the city and start your tour of Canterbury.
What to see on a day trip to Canterbury from London
The first sight you'll see is the Westgate Towers (pictured above), built in 1380 (yes, you read that correctly). If you're not afraid of minor heights, make the climb!
Once you pass through the gate, the 14th-century Guild Hall makes for a quick walk around. It's open - no tickets - it'll be on your right before you make it into the historic city centre.
Once you pass through the gate, the 14th-century Guild Hall makes for a quick walk around. It's open - no tickets - it'll be on your right before you make it into the historic city centre.
Visiting Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
A church has stood on the current site of Canterbury Cathedral since 597, though the structure you'll see today was originally built in the 11th century, and then reconstructed in the 14th. It's an easily visitable site - take your time and be sure to grab a pamphlet to learn as you go!
Pulpit and altar of Canterbury Cathedral
History of Canterbury Cathedral
In 1170, knights who may-or-may-not-have-been sent by Henry II murdered Thomas Becket, then Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral, no less. Not known as a devout man, Becket was selected as Archbishop by Henry in hopes that he would be an easy puppet for the King.
Finding his faith later in Life, Becket became a thorn in the side of the King, who finally declared "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?"
Whether he was just frustrated and this was rhetorical, or deadly serious and proclaiming a death sentence is a matter of serious historical debate, but the undeniable end result was the shocking murder of the later-sainted Archbishop in Canterbury Cathedral and King Henry seeking absolution from an angry Pope and citizenry.
Finding his faith later in Life, Becket became a thorn in the side of the King, who finally declared "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?"
Whether he was just frustrated and this was rhetorical, or deadly serious and proclaiming a death sentence is a matter of serious historical debate, but the undeniable end result was the shocking murder of the later-sainted Archbishop in Canterbury Cathedral and King Henry seeking absolution from an angry Pope and citizenry.
|
|
Canterbury Cathedral has survived many near misses, including several fires, heavy, unfortunately intentional during the English Civil War, and the destruction of its library during an air raid in WWII.
In the current era, Canterbury Cathedral continues to be the head of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, which includes the off-shoots of the Church, such as the Episcopal Church, which took up the mantle of the established churches in many of the American colonies after the American Revolution.
In the current era, Canterbury Cathedral continues to be the head of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, which includes the off-shoots of the Church, such as the Episcopal Church, which took up the mantle of the established churches in many of the American colonies after the American Revolution.
Site of the shrine constructed by the King after Becket's murder
Canterbury Cathedral gift shop & cloisters
The Cathedral has a lovely gift shop - with proceeds going to a good cause, of course. I picked up a lovely Christmas ornament, a small mug, and a charming tea towel (my go-to's!).
Don't forget to check out the cloisters before you wrap up your tour of the Cathedral. They're extremely easy to miss. They're to be accessed by a door that looks like an emergency exit - ask for help if you're worried about setting off the fire alarm, like I was!
Don't forget to check out the cloisters before you wrap up your tour of the Cathedral. They're extremely easy to miss. They're to be accessed by a door that looks like an emergency exit - ask for help if you're worried about setting off the fire alarm, like I was!
Cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral
Exploring Canterbury's
city centre
Once you've finished your tour of Canterbury Cathedral, spend some time wandering the labyrinthine streets of gorgeous Canterbury.
Like so many great cathedral cities, such as France's Strasbourg or Chartres, Canterbury has been playing host to pilgrims for hundreds of years, giving rise to a welcoming town centre, catering to all the daily visitors. In the city centre, you'll find branches of some of your favourite chains for a bit of shopping - M&S, Waterstones, and Jack Wills, among many others.
Like so many great cathedral cities, such as France's Strasbourg or Chartres, Canterbury has been playing host to pilgrims for hundreds of years, giving rise to a welcoming town centre, catering to all the daily visitors. In the city centre, you'll find branches of some of your favourite chains for a bit of shopping - M&S, Waterstones, and Jack Wills, among many others.
Canterbury city centre
Canterbury is quite small and easily walkable - take a stroll around and imagine it full of thousands of pilgrims. Even today, the Cathedral gets almost a million visitors a year, though it certainly didn't feel packed when we visited in April.
If you have kids with you, or a devoted fan of English literature, The Canterbury Tales is an interactive walk through the famous stories.
Canterbury has a number of gorgeous garden areas, if the weather cooperates! Options include Westgate Gardens and Greyfriars Gardens. You'll also find several medieval buildings - including the Tower of Mary Magdelene and St. Augustine's Abbey.
If you have kids with you, or a devoted fan of English literature, The Canterbury Tales is an interactive walk through the famous stories.
Canterbury has a number of gorgeous garden areas, if the weather cooperates! Options include Westgate Gardens and Greyfriars Gardens. You'll also find several medieval buildings - including the Tower of Mary Magdelene and St. Augustine's Abbey.
Where to eat on a day trip to Canterbury
The Old Weavers' House Pub, Canterbury
|
Canterbury has a number of nice restaurants, and you won't have trouble finding a table - like I said, they've been playing hosts to millions of people for years.
|
We loved The Old Weavers' House, built in 500 A.D., situated on a gorgeous river-side plot. We stopped in just for a quick pint, having grabbed a quit ploughman's at The Old Buttermarket near the Cathedral. You just can't beat the timbered building, full of hundreds of years of knickknacks.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hope you have a phenomenal trip to Canterbury! Don't forget to sign-up for the blog newsletter!
You may also like...
Love it? Pin it!
|
|
|
2 Comments
8/12/2019 09:12:56 am
Great post. I have only the vaguest recollections of visiting Canterbury Cathedral as a 13 year old. I do remember the cloisters outside, so that was a bit of a flashback. How damn quaint is that old pub? Did you end up in there for a couple of sly pints?
8/13/2019 07:23:03 am
Isn't that the strangest feeling! Seeing a picture and being like...wait a minute...I've been there!! Oh yes - we absolutely did ;) One of the highlights of the trip, for sure LOL
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
RSS Feed