Canterbury Itineraries
Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Canterbury, planned step by step.
Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Canterbury. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.
Canterbury in a Half Day: Cathedral & the Old Town
A compact loop through the old town for anyone with half a day, built around Canterbury Cathedral and the medieval streets that lead to it. Doable on foot from either train station in under 20 minutes.
- 19:30am·30-45 minutes
Start at Westgate Towers
Begin at England's largest surviving medieval city gate, a five-minute walk from Canterbury West station. Climb the twin towers if it's open (closed Saturdays).
View Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint - 210:30am·45 minutes
Walk the High Street to The Beaney
Follow St Peter's Street and the High Street into the old town, stopping at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge for its free galleries and a coffee.
View The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge - 311:30am·45-60 minutes
Canterbury Roman Museum
A short walk to Butchery Lane for the below-ground Roman townhouse and its in-situ mosaic floor, a good indoor stop before the cathedral.
View Canterbury Roman Museum - 412:45pm·45-60 minutes
Lunch on the King's Mile
Break for lunch at one of the independent restaurants and cafes clustered around the Beer Cart Lane and Dover Street end of the old town.
View Café du Soleil - 51:45pm·1.5-2 hours
Canterbury Cathedral
Enter through Christ Church Gate for the Cathedral itself: the Norman crypt, the Miracle Windows, and the site of Thomas Becket's murder in the north-west transept. Book online ahead for the cheaper rate.
View Canterbury Cathedral
A Full Day in Canterbury: the UNESCO Site & the River
A full day covering all three sites of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site plus a punting trip on the River Stour, with a proper sit-down lunch and dinner either side. Best from spring to autumn, when the punting companies run their fullest schedule and the Abbey and St Martin's keep longer hours.
- 19:00am·1.5-2 hours
Canterbury Cathedral
Start early, before the coach parties arrive. Allow a full 1.5 to 2 hours for the cathedral, the crypt and the precinct.
View Canterbury Cathedral - 211:00am·1-1.5 hours
St Augustine's Abbey
Walk east along Burgate and Longport to the ruined Abbey, the second site of the UNESCO trio, with its free audio guide and small museum.
View St Augustine's Abbey - 312:45pm·20-30 minutes
St Martin's Church
A short walk further along to the oldest parish church in continuous use in the English-speaking world, completing the UNESCO trio. Check its limited Wednesday-Sunday opening hours before relying on getting inside.
View St Martin's Church - 41:30pm·1 hour
Lunch back in the old town
Walk back into the centre for a sit-down lunch at The Corner House or a similar spot near the cathedral precinct.
View The Corner House - 53:00pm·40-45 minutes
Punting on the River Stour
Book a chauffeured punt trip from Water Lane for a different view of the old town from the water, with a running commentary from the guide.
View Canterbury Punting Company - 64:00pm·45-60 minutes
Westgate Towers & Westgate Gardens
Finish the sightseeing with the climb up Westgate Towers (if open) and a quiet wander through Westgate Gardens along the river.
View Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint - 77:00pm·1.5 hours
Dinner at The Foundry Brewpub
End the day with house-brewed ale and pub food in a Victorian foundry building on Stour Street.
View The Foundry Brewpub
Ready to plan your visit?
Check the weather forecast before you head out.