Canterbury

Approx Journey Time: 3hrs

Time at Destination: 5 Hours

Comfort stop: Yes

Drop off Point: St Georges Lane, White Friars Shopping Centre,

Your journey starts early in the morning from the local area. The journey time is approximately 3.5 hours & the coach will stop on route for a comfort stop. You will arrive at Canterbury at approximately 11.30 and your drop off and pick up point will be outside Whitefriars Shopping Centre (to be confirmed by the driver on the day), approximately 400 metres from Canterbury Cathedral. You are free to explore at your leisure for around 5 hours in this beautiful city. Departure will be confirmed by your driver will be approximatley 16.30. 

Canterbury is a historic and charming city best known for its stunning medieval architecture, rich religious history, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As one of the most visited cities in the UK, Canterbury offers a blend of ancient heritage and modern culture, with its narrow cobbled streets, picturesque river views, and vibrant shopping and dining scene.

The city is most famous for **Canterbury Cathedral**, one of the oldest and most important Christian structures in England. Founded in 597 AD and rebuilt in the 11th century in Gothic style, it serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Church of England. The cathedral is renowned for its breathtaking architecture, stained glass windows, and its role in the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170, which made it a major pilgrimage site in the medieval period.

Canterbury is rich with historical landmarks, including St. Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin's Church, both part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site. The Westgate Towers, the largest surviving medieval gatehouse in England, and the Canterbury Roman Museum, which showcases the city's ancient Roman roots, are also highlights. Many of the city's medieval and Tudor buildings have been well-preserved, adding to its old-world charm.

The River Stour flows through Canterbury, offering peaceful boat rides that allow visitors to enjoy the scenic views of the city. The riverbanks are lined with quaint buildings, greenery, and the occasional glimpse of the cathedral spire.

Canterbury is famously immortalized in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories told by pilgrims traveling to the city. This literary connection is celebrated through The Canterbury Tales Visitor Attraction, an interactive experience that brings Chaucer’s characters and tales to life for visitors.

The city offers a mix of modern and traditional shopping experiences, with the Whitefriars Shopping Centre housing popular high-street brands, while the city's narrow streets are home to independent boutiques, antique shops, and artisan markets. Canterbury’s food scene is equally diverse, with charming tearooms, riverside restaurants, historic pubs, and international eateries catering to a wide range of tastes.