Kentish Beer, English Wine and Cocktails in a Prison Cell: 4 Canterbury Pubs and Bars You Can't Miss
Canterbury might be famous for its UNESCO listed cathedral, medieval streets and almost 2,000 years of history, but its food and drink scene is just as much a part of the city's appeal.
Canterbury sits in the heart of Kent, known as the ‘Garden of England’, making it perfectly placed to showcase the county's rich food and drink heritage. Kent is well known for its orchards, hop fields and vineyards, so it's no surprise that you'll find plenty of excellent local beer, cider and English wine on the menus around the city.
You can drink a Kentish pint beneath medieval beams in one of Canterbury's oldest pubs, sample the city's own homebrewed beer in a former foundry, explore English wines while overlooking the cathedral, or finish the night with a cocktail inside an old, haunted police cell.
If you're planning a visit, we've put together our complete three-day Canterbury itinerary covering the city's best historic sights, museums, churches, punting and where to fit in these great drinking spots around your sightseeing!
Here are some of our favourite pubs and bars in Canterbury, all of which would make a great addition to a Canterbury weekend itinerary or a day of sightseeing.
The Parrot
Tucked away on Church Lane, The Parrot is one of Canterbury's oldest pubs, dating back to the 14th century and built on Roman foundations. It's exactly the sort of historic pub you'd hope to find in a city like Canterbury, with exposed timber, medieval beams and oak floorboards inside, plus a lovely sun terrace surrounded by half-timbered and brick walls.
We stopped here for lunch and a pint of local Kentish beer, but The Parrot would be equally good for an afternoon drink or Sunday roast after exploring Canterbury Cathedral and the surrounding historic streets. The pub serves beers from Kent brewer Shepherd Neame, alongside a menu featuring plenty of local Kent flavours.
The Parrot was the perfect introduction to Canterbury's pub scene after a day of pavement pounding: historic, atmospheric and very easy to settle into.
Church Ln, St Radigunds St, Canterbury CT1 2AG
The Foundry Brew Pub
If you're looking for local beer in Canterbury, don't miss The Foundry Brew Pub. Housed in a former foundry, this independent brewery, bar and restaurant has an industrial feel, with brewing equipment, dried hops hanging from the ceiling and plenty of character.
The Foundry makes its own beer on site, with English barley going into a genuine grain-to-glass operation producing a huge range of beers and ciders. There's plenty of choice beyond the kegs too: The Foundry distils its own spirits, including gin, vodka and rum, and even produces its own whisky. It's a great place to combine lunch while supporting Canterbury's brewing scene.
77 Stour St., Canterbury CT1 2NR
(Top left clockwise: The Parrot, Corkk, The Pound, The Foundry Brew Pub)
Corkk
For something a little more sophisticated, head to Corkk, an English wine specialist in the heart of Canterbury. This was one of our trip highlights and a completely different experience from your typical pub.
You can order English wine by the glass or bottle, try a flight of three wines, or use the Enomatic wine machine, which allows you to sample a rotating selection of 16 wines in anything from a small tasting measure to a half or full glass. The team are very friendly and more than happy to help you choose!
We loved being able to try several different English wines without having to commit to a whole bottle. There’s also a tempting selection of charcuterie boards and other nibbles to accompany your drinks, including ingredients from local institution Patriana, which also supplies Fortnum & Mason, alongside bread from Gilda Bakery, 5 miles up the road in Bishopsbourne.
If you can, grab the table at the back, where you'll get a lovely view towards Canterbury Cathedral. It's a particularly good spot for an early evening drink before dinner and a great option if you're interested in trying some of the English wine produced in Kent and the surrounding region.
29/30 Burgate, Canterbury CT1 2HA
The Pound
Finally, save the weirdest and most wonderful drinking experience until last. Voted Kent's Best Bar in the Muddy Stilettos Awards, The Pound is a cocktail bar, pub and restaurant housed inside a former police station, and yes, you can actually have your drink inside one of the old police cells. Attached to the historic Westgate, England's largest surviving medieval gateway, this building was once Canterbury's city jail, and the individual cells have been transformed into quirky drinking spaces. It's also said to be haunted...
We ended up in Cell 5, cocktail in hand (we recommend the Convict Colada), which was a suitably bizarre way to finish three days exploring one of England's most historic cities. The building also incorporates a museum, a viewing platform at the top of Westgate Towers, karaoke and an Escape Room!
1 Pound Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2BZ
Final thoughts:
Canterbury may be most famous for pilgrims, bishops and medieval history, but there's also plenty of choice for visitors when it's time to take a break from sightseeing, from centuries-old pubs to independent breweries, local wine bars and quirky cocktail spots,
What we enjoyed most about Canterbury's food and drink scene was the variety and the opportunity to try so many local products along the way. Kentish beer and cider, English wine and locally sourced food all feature heavily, creating a real connection between what's on the menu and the surrounding county.
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