There aren't many cities in England where you can visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, explore nearly 2,000 years of history, see some of the oldest stained glass in the country, follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims and then finish the day drinking cocktails in a former police cell, but Canterbury is one of them.

Best known as the home of Canterbury Cathedral and the destination of pilgrims travelling to the shrine of the murdered Archbishop Thomas Becket, this beautiful Kent city has an extraordinary amount packed into a relatively compact centre.

While Canterbury's history might be its biggest draw, its location adds another dimension to a visit. Known as the "Garden of England", the county of Kent has a rich agricultural heritage, with orchards, hopfields and vineyards shaping the landscape and producing some of the region's best-known food and drink. You'll find plenty of those local flavours in Canterbury too, from Kentish beer and cider to English wine and produce from the surrounding countryside.

Over three days, you can explore one of the most important cathedrals in the country (if not the world), visit the ruins of the abbey that helped establish Christianity in England, step inside the oldest church in the English-speaking world, take a punt along the River Stour, discover the world of Geoffrey Chaucer and Christopher Marlowe, and even meet the original Bagpuss. And, of course, we'll suggest plenty of amazing places to eat and drink along the way.

Here's how we'd spend three days in Canterbury:

Day 1: Canterbury Cathedral and the historic city centre

Start with Canterbury Cathedral

If there's one place you absolutely cannot miss in Canterbury, it's Canterbury Cathedral. This extraordinary building has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and remains one of the most important religious sites in England. It is also part of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church.

The cathedral became internationally famous following the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket on 29 December 1170. Becket had been a close friend and Chancellor of King Henry II, but the two fell out over the balance of power between the Crown and the Church. Henry had hoped that, having appointed Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury, his former friend would support his attempts to increase royal authority over the Church. Instead, Becket became a fierce defender of the Church's independence.

Their increasingly bitter dispute eventually ended in tragedy. Four knights from Henry's household travelled to Canterbury and confronted Becket inside the cathedral. When he refused to back down, they murdered him with their swords while the monks were chanting Vespers. Whether Henry II actually intended his knights to kill Becket remains a matter of debate, but the murder caused outrage across Europe.

Reports of miracles associated with Becket began almost immediately, and he was canonised by Pope Alexander III just three years later, in 1173. His tomb in the cathedral's crypt quickly became a place of pilgrimage, with people travelling to Canterbury to pray for healing and to give thanks for miracles. Geoffrey Chaucer would later immortalise these pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales, following a group of travellers making their way from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine. In 1220, 50 years after Becket's death, his remains were moved from their original tomb to a magnificent new shrine in Trinity Chapel, covered in gold and jewels.

The shrine stood here for more than 300 years until it was destroyed on the orders of Henry VIII in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The fate of Becket's remains is still uncertain and today, a simple candle marks the site of the former shrine, while the spot where Becket was murdered is marked in the cathedral's Martyrdom.

Don't just look inside

It's easy to head straight through the cathedral doors, but make sure you allow time to explore the outside too. The cathedral's enormous towers dominate Canterbury's skyline and are particularly impressive when viewed from the surrounding streets (our favourite view was from the steps of the Green Room cafe at the Marlowe Theatre). Take a walk around the building to appreciate its scale and the different layers of architecture that have been added and rebuilt over the centuries.

One of the highlights is the Great West Door, the main entrance to the cathedral. The doorway is surrounded by statues of monarchs from across the centuries, creating a rather extraordinary who's who of British royalty. Look out for William the Conqueror, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, alongside more recent additions including Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who flank the door itself with another reigning queen and her Prince Consort: Victoria and Albert.

The cathedral's octagonal water tower dates from the 1160s and was the heart of one of Europe’s first sophisticated hydraulic systems, designed to pump fresh water throughout the monastery. While its upper tier displays elegant late-medieval stonework, the lower level features beautifully preserved Norman arches.

Before heading into the main cathedral, explore the Great Cloister and Chapter House. These were once at the heart of the monastery attached to the cathedral, where the monks lived, worked, studied and prayed. While walking the cloisters, look up - the vaulted ceiling is spectacular, with intricate stonework and carved bosses representing the coats of arms and badges of royal figures, nobles, and benefactors who funded the 15th-century rebuild.

Explore the cathedral's interior

Start in the Nave, one of the finest surviving examples of English Perpendicular Gothic. It took 28 years to complete, beginning in 1377, and its soaring height gives you a real sense of the scale of the cathedral. Look out for the Compass Rose in the floor, the official symbol of the worldwide Anglican Communion which designates the cathedral as the Mother Church for over 70 million Anglican Christians spanning 164 countries, and the Pulpitum Screen, which separates the Nave from the Quire.

From here, make your way to the Martyrdom, the exact spot where Thomas Becket was murdered on 29 December 1170. The altar known as the Altar of the Sword's Point marks the place where the tip of the sword that killed Becket was traditionally kept as a relic, and the name Thomas is engraved into the floor in front of it.

Then head through to the Quire, the heart of the cathedral. This is where the monks would have gathered to sing their daily worship, and it remains the home of the cathedral choir today. The present Quire was rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1174. Look out for the ornate Quire stalls, the eagle lectern and St Augustine's Chair – the cathedra from which the Archbishop of Canterbury takes his title.

From the Quire, climb the Pilgrim's Steps towards Trinity Chapel. These worn stone steps were once climbed by medieval pilgrims on their knees as they made their way towards Becket's shrine. The shrine itself has long since disappeared, but a simple candle now marks the spot where it stood. This is also where you'll find the tombs of Henry IV and the Black Prince, positioned either side of the former shrine site.

Canterbury Cathedral is home to around 1,200 square metres of stained glass, including windows that are more than 800 years old. You'll see biblical figures and scenes, depictions of miracles attributed to Becket's shrine, and the Royal Window, commissioned by King Edward IV around 1480 and featuring the Yorkist king, his queen Elizabeth Woodville and their children, including the two boys who would become known to history as the Princes in the Tower and daughter Elizabeth of York, whose marriage to Henry VII would end the Wars of the Roses.

Close by is the Coronation Window, which brings Britain's royal and religious history right up to the 20th century. Created for the 1953 coronation, it depicts the young Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles, and Prince Philip with Princess Anne. Below them are members of the previous generation: George VI with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.

Don't miss the enormous crypt either, which is one of the most atmospheric parts of the cathedral. This was where Becket was originally interred for 50 years before his remains were moved to the shrine in Trinity Chapel in 1220. Suspended directly above this historic spot is Sir Antony Gormley’s Transport, an evocative, life-sized human figure constructed from 210 antique iron nails salvaged from the cathedral’s own roof. The crypt also contains some of the earliest surviving parts of the cathedral, including Norman architecture with enormous rounded arches and columns.

Look out for the Huguenot Chapel, which was established in the crypt in the 17th century for French Protestant refugees who had fled religious persecution in France. It is still used for worship today.

The crypt is also home to a fascinating display of objects associated with the Black Prince, including items from his tomb and belongings traditionally associated with him.

We'd recommend allowing at least a couple of hours for the cathedral and its grounds.

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Wander Canterbury's historic streets

After visiting the cathedral, give yourself some time to explore Canterbury on foot. The city centre is very compact and some of the best bits are found simply by wandering its medieval streets and lanes.

Start with King's Mile, a particularly atmospheric area just to the east of the cathedral. The narrow streets and historic buildings are now home to independent shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs and galleries.

Butchery Lane is another one to look out for. This narrow medieval lane leads towards the cathedral and is one of the city's most photogenic streets, while nearby Mercery Lane and Sun Street have more historic buildings and independent businesses.

Stop at The Parrot

If you're looking for somewhere atmospheric for lunch and a drink, make your way to The Parrot, tucked away on Church Lane, a calm escape from the busy high street.

Dating back to the 14th century and built on Roman foundations, The Parrot is one of Canterbury's oldest pubs and you can either sit inside the historic bar with exposed timber, medieval beams and oak floorboards, or outside on the lovely sunny terrace surrounded by the pub's half-timbered and brick walls.

We'd recommend stopping for lunch and trying one of their sandwiches, which include some great local Kent flavours like Whitstable Bay beer-battered haddock or Kentish Spitfire Ale & Ashmore Farmhouse Rarebit, best paired with a pint of award-winning local beer from Kent brewer Shepherd Neame.

Step into The Canterbury Tales

After lunch, step into the world of medieval Canterbury at The Canterbury Tales Experience.

Canterbury became one of medieval Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations following the murder and canonisation of Thomas Becket, and Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales famously tells the story of a group of pilgrims travelling from London to Canterbury to visit his shrine. If you're a child of the 90s like us, chances are you studied it for your Year 9 SATs!

The attraction brings Chaucer's stories to life through an immersive, walk-through experience, taking you alongside the pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury. It's a fun way to see the city from a completely different perspective after spending the morning exploring the very cathedral that drew those medieval pilgrims here in the first place.

English wine at Corkk

For an early evening, pre-dinner drink, head to Corkk, an English wine specialist where you can try a few glasses of something local alongside a charcuterie board.

You can order wine by the glass or bottle, try a flight of three wines, or load up a card to use in the Enomatic sampling machine, which lets you choose from a rotating selection of 16 wines and pour anything from a small taste to a half or full glass. It's a great way to try a few different English wines without committing to a whole bottle. If you can, grab the table at the back for a view of Canterbury Cathedral.

Day 2: Punting, riverside gardens and Canterbury's earliest Christian history

Breakfast at The Refectory Kitchen

Start your day with breakfast at The Refectory Kitchen, just outside the historic Westgate on St Dunstans Street. The menu combines brunch classics with some more creative dishes, from a full English grill up and fruit covered pancakes to the brioche French toast, house-smoked salmon and avocado, and harissa tofu scramble.

Top tip: The Refectory Kitchen doesn't take reservations, so arriving early is your best bet.

Take an early punt along the River Stour

Much like in Cambridge and Oxford, guided punting tours take you through the heart of Canterbury, passing historic buildings, medieval walls and hidden corners that you simply can't see from the streets. The tours take around 45 minutes and leave from the Mooring café on Water Lane, under 10 minutes walk from the Refectory Kitchen.

Our biggest tip? Book the first punting tour of the day (usually around 10am). We found the earliest slot was just £20, compared with £35 for later departures, making it by far the best-value option. Prices can change, of course, but it's worth checking the different departure times when you book.

Wander through Westgate Gardens

After your punt, continue along the River Stour through beautiful Westgate Gardens.

This was one of our favourite parts of Canterbury. The riverside paths are a lovely contrast to the busy historic centre, and it's a great place to slow down after your morning on the water.

Keep an eye out for the enormous ancient Oriental Plane tree, which is believed to be the oldest tree in Canterbury at around 200 years old. It's so large that it took us 18 paces to walk around its trunk! You can also take a look at Westgate Towers, the impressive medieval gateway at the western entrance to the city.

Climb Westgate Towers

While you're in the area, don't just admire Westgate Towers from below. You can actually climb inside this enormous medieval gateway and up to the battlements for one of the best views across Canterbury. Dating from around 1380, it is the largest surviving medieval gateway in England and the only surviving gateway of Canterbury's original five. It was built as part of the city's medieval defences and later served as a prison.

At the time of writing, admission is just £4, making this one of the city's best-value attractions. Inside, the museum explores four aspects of Canterbury's history: City Wars, Crime & Punishment, Westgate Through History and Magna Carta & The Maquettes.

The real highlight, though, is heading up onto the rooftop battlements. From here you get a fantastic view across the city, including Canterbury Cathedral, and it's a brilliant way to appreciate just how much history is packed into the centre.

Lunch and local beer at The Foundry

After exploring Westgate, head to The Foundry Brew Pub for lunch. This independent brewery, bar and restaurant is housed in a former foundry, with dried hops hanging from the ceiling and is an impressive grain-to-glass operation: everything is made on site, using English barley.

They brew more than 16 beers and ciders, as well as distilling their own range of spirits, including six gins, vodka and moonshine. They also produce spiced and white rum, distilled from molasses that is fermented on site, and if you're a whisky fan, keep an eye out for their single-barrel whiskies, which have already picked up several World Whisky Awards.

There's plenty to eat too, from lunchtime jacket potatoes, sandwiches and wraps to proper brew-pub classics like beer-battered cod and chips made with Canterbury Brewers beer, eight-hour beer-braised brisket, steak and Foundry ale pie, burgers and beer-braised BBQ ribs. There are also vegetarian and vegan options, including a mushroom risotto and a pulled mushroom wrap, with the mushrooms actually grown on site using spent English barley from the brewing process.

Explore the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey

After lunch, it's time to swap brewing for bishops and head east towards two of Canterbury's most important early Christian sites: St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church. Together, they form two-thirds of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Canterbury Cathedral.

St Augustine's Abbey was founded in 597 AD following the arrival of Augustine, who had been sent from Rome by Pope Gregory the Great to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. King Æthelberht of Kent allowed Augustine to establish a monastery just outside the city walls, and it became an important centre of Christian learning and worship.

Following the Norman invasion of 1066, the original monastery grew into a huge Benedictine abbey. What you see today is a mixture of ruins from different periods, including the remains of the medieval abbey church, cloisters and monastic buildings, as well as traces of the earlier Saxon church.

The abbey survived for almost 1,000 years before being dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538. Much of the site was subsequently dismantled or repurposed, but enough remains to give you a sense of the enormous scale of the original complex.

The site is also significant as the burial place of several Anglo-Saxon kings. Kings Eadbald (died 640), Hlothhere (died 685) and Wihtred (died 725) were all buried here, alongside other important figures from the early English Church. It was also here that St Augustine was buried following his death around 604 AD. His tomb was later incorporated into the medieval abbey church, and you can still see the remains of the area associated with his burial.

Tudor, Norman and Saxon ruins at St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury

Today, the atmospheric ruins sit amongst lawns and mature trees, with views back towards Canterbury Cathedral. Take your time following the paths around the site and look out for the information panels that help you understand what you're seeing. Your admission also includes an audio guide, which is well worth using for extra historical detail and first person accounts from the Abbey's past.

Visit St Martin's Church

From St Augustine's Abbey, it's only a short walk to St Martin's Church, the third part of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 6th century, St Martin's is widely recognised as the oldest church in the English-speaking world still in continuous use. Its origins predate Augustine's arrival in Canterbury, and the church is believed to have been used by Queen Bertha, the Christian Frankish wife of King Æthelberht of Kent, before Augustine arrived from Rome in 597 AD.

Once inside, look closely at the walls and you'll see Roman bricks and tiles incorporated into the church, evidence of Canterbury's much earlier Roman past. Other highlights include the beautifully carved Caen-stone Norman font, and a stained-glass depiction of St Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar, incorporating medieval glass from Chartres Cathedral. The window tells the story behind the church's dedication: according to legend, the Roman soldier Martin cut his cloak in half to give to a freezing beggar, only to dream that night of Christ wearing the half he had given away. The window's modern insert was installed here in 1980.

Also look out for the tiny squint, a low opening angled towards the altar. It is traditionally believed to have allowed people who were not permitted to enter the church, including those suffering from leprosy, to see and follow Mass from outside.

Day 3: Roman Canterbury, Christopher Marlowe and Bagpuss

By now you've explored Canterbury's medieval cathedral, followed in the footsteps of pilgrims and discovered the city's earliest Christian history. For your final day, go further back still, to Roman Canterbury, before moving through some of the city's more unexpected cultural connections, from Christopher Marlowe to the nation's most famous stuffed cat.

Discover Roman Canterbury at the Roman Museum

Before Canterbury became famous for pilgrims, medieval kings and its magnificent cathedral, it was an important Roman settlement known as Durovernum Cantiacorum.

The Romans established a town here in the 1st century AD, building on an existing settlement associated with the Cantiaci, the local Celtic tribe from whom the Roman name Durovernum Cantiacorum derives. Its position on the River Stour and at the intersection of important Roman roads helped it grow into a significant settlement in Roman Britain.

The Canterbury Roman Museum is the perfect place to uncover this earlier chapter of the city's history. The museum was built around the remains of a Roman town house and is home to one of the UK's only remaining Roman pavement mosaics in its original location, which is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Alongside the mosaic, you'll find Roman artefacts and displays exploring what everyday life was like in Durovernum Cantiacorum, from household objects and coins to evidence of the town's streets and buildings. It's a relatively small museum, but there's a lot packed into it – and after spending the first two days following Canterbury's medieval and Christian history, it's fascinating to discover the Roman city beneath it all.

Visit The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

From the Roman Museum, make your way to The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, one of Canterbury's most interesting museums and galleries. Entry is free, and there's plenty to see inside: you can explore a unique mix of nostalgic pop culture, global history and fine art.

The museum’s most famous residents are the original Bagpuss and Clangers puppets, displayed alongside an eclectic mix of worldly treasures that includes an ancient Egyptian mummified cat, Victorian taxidermy, and curious natural history specimens. Art lovers can also browse 500 years of artworks, featuring pieces by renowned creators from Anthony Van Dyck to David Hockney, all housed in a beautifully restored Victorian building. During our visit, there was a brilliant exhibition about Christopher Marlowe, the Canterbury-born playwright and contemporary of Shakespeare, which runs until 22nd November 2026.

Lunch and a wander through the city

After the Beaney House, take your pick from one of Canterbury's many cafés, pubs and restaurants for lunch, then give yourself some time to explore anything you've missed so far.

This is deliberately the least structured part of the itinerary. After two fairly busy days of sightseeing, it's nice to have some time to browse the independent shops around King's Mile, revisit a favourite street, or simply find somewhere for a coffee and watch Canterbury go by.

Walk Canterbury's medieval city walls

For an afternoon dose of history, follow part of Canterbury's medieval city walls.

Canterbury's defences date back to Roman times, with the original city wall built around AD 270, although much of what you see today dates from the medieval period, when Canterbury's fortifications were rebuilt and expanded. Today, around half of the historic wall circuit survives, with sections of the old defences incorporated into the modern city.

Unlike Chester, this isn't a complete walk along the top of the entire wall, but there are accessible sections of public walkway where you can get a different perspective on the city. We'd recommend heading to Dane John Gardens, a lovely green space with the walls running alongside the gardens and a viewpoint from the top of the historic mound.

Canterbury after dark: an evening ghost walk

Save your evening for something rather different: a Canterbury ghost walk.

With nearly 2,000 years of history, medieval streets, ancient buildings and more than its fair share of murders and gruesome tales, Canterbury is almost suspiciously well suited to a ghost tour.

The walks take you through the historic centre after dark, sharing the city's spookier stories, legends and supposedly haunted locations along the way. Booking in advance is essential.

The tours start at 8pm, so you'll have plenty of time for dinner beforehand. We'd recommend a traditional pie in the beautiful The Old Weavers Restaurant, a 16th century half-timbered building that was once a weaving centre established by Walloon and Huguenot refugees.

Cocktails at The Pound

After your ghost walk, finish your Canterbury trip with a drink at The Pound, a cocktail bar, pub and restaurant housed inside a former police station which is also said to be haunted... Voted Kent’s Best Bar in the Muddy Stilettos Awards, you can even have a drink inside one of the old police cells! A suitably quirky end to three days exploring one of England's most historic cities.

How to get to Canterbury

Canterbury is in Kent in the southeast of England. It's an easy city to visit from London for a day trip or weekend break.

• By train:

The fastest trains from London St Pancras International reach Canterbury West in around 54 minutes. You can also travel from London Charing Cross, with journeys taking around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Both Canterbury West and Canterbury East stations are within easy walking distance of the city centre.

• By car:

Canterbury is around 60 miles from London, with the journey taking roughly 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. Parking in the historic city centre is limited and expensive, so it's worth checking your accommodation or using one of Canterbury's Park and Ride services.

• By plane:

Canterbury doesn't have its own commercial airport, but it's within easy reach of several London airports:

London Gatwick in West Sussex is the closest of the major London airports, at around 70 miles from Canterbury by road, and is probably the most straightforward option if you're hiring a car.

London Stansted is around 80 miles away by road. Although it looks relatively close on a map, the airport is north of London in Essex, so the driving route takes you around the eastern side of London and across the Dartford Crossing before continuing into Kent. Traffic around the crossing can add significant time to the journey, so we'd choose Gatwick over Stansted if flight options and prices were similar.

London Heathrow is around 90 miles away by road and sits on the wrong side of the M25, west of London, making it less appealing if you're driving. If you're travelling without a car, however, it's a perfectly viable option: take the Piccadilly or Elizabeth lines from Heathrow to King's Cross St Pancras, then walk across to St Pancras International for a high-speed train to Canterbury West.

Is three days in Canterbury enough?

We found three days to be a great amount of time to explore Canterbury without rushing.

You could see the main sights in a day or two, but staying for three days gives you time to properly explore Canterbury Cathedral, visit the other sites within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, take a punt along the River Stour, discover the city's literary history, enjoy the museums and galleries, and actually spend some time enjoying the city's food and drink scene. Three days also gives you the option to explore a little further to the coast!

Want to stay longer? Take a day trip to Whitstable

If you have four days or fancy swapping day three for something a little different, add a day trip to Whitstable. At under 30 minutes by car or train from Canterbury, this charming seaside town feels like a completely different world from the medieval streets you've just explored. Think shingle beaches, colourful beach huts, a picturesque harbour and, most importantly, plenty of fresh seafood and famous Whitstable oysters. If you're feeling energetic, you can even cycle the Crab and Winkle Way - the route is around 7.5 miles and is mostly traffic-free, following the route of the old Canterbury and Whitstable railway.

Here's how we'd spend a day in Whitstable:

Wander around Whitstable Harbour

Start your day at Whitstable Harbour, the heart of the town and a great place to simply wander. The working harbour is lined with independent stalls, food outlets and little shops and there are plenty of places to stop for something to eat or drink while watching the boats come and go. If you're a seafood fan, this is the place to try some of Whitstable's famous oysters. There are also plenty of alternatives if oysters aren't your thing!

Explore the town's independent shops

From the harbour, wander into the town centre and explore the independent shops and galleries around Harbour Street. Whitstable has a wonderfully relaxed, slightly bohemian feel and it's a lovely place to spend an hour or two without a strict itinerary. You'll find everything from antiques and vintage shops to art galleries, books and local food.

Walk along the seafront

Make time for a stroll along the shingle beach and out towards Tankerton. The coastline is one of Whitstable's biggest attractions, particularly around Tankerton Slopes, where colourful beach huts line the shore. If the tide is right, you can also see The Street, a narrow shingle ridge which stretches out into the sea and is exposed at low tide. Do check the tide times before attempting to walk along it.

Have lunch by the sea

Naturally, a Whitstable day trip should involve seafood. There are plenty of places around the harbour and seafront serving local oysters, fish and other seafood, as well as plenty of choices for anyone who isn't particularly keen on fish. The Old Neptune, right on the beach, is another good option for a drink with a view.

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