The Canterbury Tales Experience
About
A themed walk-through attraction on St Margaret's Street retelling Chaucer's Canterbury Tales through sets, characters and, following a 2026 refurbishment, upgraded technology and special effects. The original attraction closed in 2020 after financial difficulty, and the site sat empty for several years before being rescued and reopened by the Escapement Kent team, who invested in overhauling the visitor experience rather than simply reopening the old show. It's a good option for families or anyone who wants the story behind the pilgrims before or after visiting the Cathedral itself.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Retells Chaucer's Canterbury Tales through themed sets and characters
- ✓Reopened in 2026 after a full refurbishment following its 2020 closure
- ✓New technology and special effects added as part of the relaunch
- ✓A short walk from the Cathedral and Buttermarket
Tips
- →This is a recently relaunched attraction, so confirm current prices and show times before booking.
- →Family tickets bring the per-person cost down noticeably versus buying individual tickets.
- →Pair with the Cathedral for the fuller pilgrimage story in one day.
Best Season
More Attraction Activities
Canterbury Cathedral
The mother church of the Church of England, founded in 597, where Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170. Part of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
St Augustine's Abbey
The ruined 598 AD monastery founded by St Augustine, burial place of early Kentish kings, and part of Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
St Martin's Church
The oldest parish church in continuous use in the English-speaking world, with fabric predating Augustine's 597 mission. Free, and part of the UNESCO site.