The cathedral city of Canterbury is a jewel in Kent’s crown, with a bustling city centre, plenty of eateries and, of course, a rich history.
Living in Kent, I visit the city frequently and always leave wishing I’d spent longer exploring.
Canterbury has recently been named one of the “best places to go in autumn in the UK” by Conde Nast Traveller – and it’s easy to see why.
In autumn, the city’s historic architecture is highlighted by browning trees and shorter days. In October, Halloween decorations adorn shop windows and in November, the smell of chimney smoke wafts through the city streets.
Occupied since Paleolithic times, the city’s long history is hard to ignore. The city wall, which was founded in Roman times and rebuilt in the 14th century, is one of the first sights visitors will see.
The Westgate, a medieval gatehouse, stands tall at 60 feet and is the largest surviving city gate in England. The gatehouse was built in 1379 and is now one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.
Walking around these spectacular monuments and Canterbury’s narrow, cobbled streets is like stepping back in time.
One experience visitors must try if they’re visiting Canterbury for the first time is to walk a section of The Pilgrims’ Way. The ancient pilgrimage route runs from Winchester to Canterbury or Southwark to Canterbury and is a massive 138-mile journey that spans woodlands and fields.
Visitors can attempt a section of the route from the village of Wye to Canterbury which is 12.5 miles long. It takes roughly one to two days to complete and begins at the church of St Gregory and St Martin in Wye and takes you through beautiful woodland, river banks and into the city of Canterbury.
The route ends at Canterbury Cathedral where visitors can walk the Cloisters and kneel where the shrine of Thomas Becket used to be.
If history isn’t your bag then Canterbury’s wide range of shops should keep you occupied. The posh Fenwick department store has everything from designer bags to homeware, food and drink and an epic toy section.
Some of my favourite shops in Canterbury are Superstore Vintage, Bird & Blend Tea Co. And Violet Elizabeth.
For a bite to eat, Café des Amis is a must. Despite the name, Café des Amis offers some of the best Mexican cuisine I’ve ever eaten.
Reasonably priced with a three-course set menu for £26 available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 6pm, the food is delicious, the service is impeccable and the vibe is relaxed.
If you’re not big on wine, they have a fantastic selection of cocktails as well as tequilas.
For something a bit different, you could try the UK’s largest cat cafe, Canterbury Tails. A fully plant-based menu is served up alongside 27 furry felines.
From October 19 to November 2, visitors to Canterbury can enjoy the Canterbury Festival which is celebrating its 40th year.
The festival has a bit of everything for everyone including music, gigs, theatre, circus, talks and family events.