Canterbury: Only An Hour Away!

Canterbury, you pretty thing!

Looking for a great day trip from London? This might be the one for you.

(Hover your mouse over the pictures for descriptions & locations)

Though easily reachable by train, from where I live in South East London it's quicker (and cheaper! - fares start from £8 each way) to catch the National Express coach. Travel time by coach only takes 1hr 23minutes from my nearest stop to Canterbury Bus Station; a close time match for many of the trains running from Central London to Canterbury (depending on the train route: 56 minutes to 1hr 43minutes).

​Canterbury is of course famous for its Cathedral, which attracted pilgrims from all across medieval Europe. Established in 597AD by St Augustine, its first Archbishop, the Cathedral is now a World Heritage Site.

Admission to the Cathedral is £12 (Adults), £8 (Children), or £32 for a Family Ticket (2 Adults & up to 3 Children). Visit their website in advance for opening times and any possible closures that may occur during your stay.

But my favourite part of Canterbury has to be its cobbled, winding, Medieval streets. You definitely feel as if you've stepped back in time when exploring this gorgeous city. Brand name shops peek out of buildings that have been standing for hundreds of years. It's one of the things I love most about Britain - the melding of the old and the new.

There's no shortage of places to shop, eat and drink in Canterbury. It's a University city (home to four universities), which I think is part of what gives the city such a lovely energy and vibrancy.

And how adorable is this bookshop on Palace Street?!! Dating back to 1647, it looks like one gust of wind might just blow the whole thing over.

Around every bend and corner in Canterbury, there's yet another gorgeous, ancient, quirky or magnificent building to stop you in your tracks. Your camera will certainly get a lot of use in this picturesque city!

A short walk from the bus station will take you to the Norman ruins of Canterbury Castle, one of Kent's three Royal Castles. Entry is FREE and the ruins are open from morning until dusk.

Getting in the Halloween spirit? Why not book a Canterbury Ghost Tour or Haunted River Tour :) Click here for a list of Tours & Guides available in Canterbury.

And what better to end the day than with a relaxing boat trip down the River Stour from Westgate Punts (open from mid-March to the end of October).

Travel Tip: Most attractions and shops in Canterbury close between 5pm-6pm (especially now that it's no longer peak tourist season). It's best to plan your travel back to London (if you're doing a day trip) to coincide with these closures. Or head home slightly later after dinner and drinks in Canterbury, and maybe an evening boat tour on the river (available from 7pm on the weekends, until Oct 31st).

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