Last updated: 18 Mar 2026
Can you imagine a place being so pretty that I ended up visiting it twice in one month?
The first time, I came with my partner. The second time, I brought my mum because I knew she would love it too. And honestly, Canterbury really is one of those places that feels easy to recommend. It’s compact, full of character, and somehow manages to feel both historic and gentle at the same time.
From London, it’s an easy day trip—around 1 hour by high-speed train from St Pancras or a bit longer from other stations, depending on the route. Once you arrive, everything feels very walkable. And if the weather is nice, I really, really recommend doing a boat tour! Seeing Canterbury from the river gave the whole town an even softer, more charming feeling.
This isn’t a “you must rush and tick everything off” kind of guide. It’s more the version I’d send to a friend: a slow wander through old walls, cathedral views, crooked buildings, river boats, and one very sweet birthday lunch with my mum.
Watch the vlog: I filmed my Canterbury visit too, so if you want to see the atmosphere, the river, and the little streets in motion. Check below 🙂
First impressions: Canterbury East and the city wall
One of the things I liked immediately about Canterbury was that the sense of history starts almost as soon as you arrive.
When you get off at Canterbury East, you’re greeted by part of the old city wall right away. It actually reminded me of York that feeling of a city still carrying its past so visibly, but in a way that feels woven into everyday life rather than fenced off from it.
I always love it when places keep these old remains as part of the living city. It makes walking around feel more layered somehow, like you’re not just sightseeing, you’re stepping through different versions of the same place.
Butchery Lane: one of those streets that makes you stop
Butchery Lane is one of those little streets that doesn’t need to be loud to be memorable. It’s narrow, full of character, and gives you this lovely framed view towards Canterbury Cathedral.
It’s the kind of lane that makes you instinctively slow down and take a photo, even if you weren’t planning to.
Nearby is the Canterbury Roman Museum, which I didn’t have time to visit this trip, but it’s definitely on my list for next time.
St Augustine’s Abbey: not what I expected, but still worth seeing
I have to be honest when I went to St Augustine’s Abbey, I thought I was going to see something much more intact. So when I arrived and realised it was mostly ruins, I did have a bit of a “ohhh, okay, this is not what I thought” moment. But once I adjusted my expectations, I actually found it really interesting. Founded in the late 6th century after St Augustine came to England, the abbey played a huge role in the spread of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. Today, what remains includes archaeological ruins and traces of what used to be an important religious complex.
There are also points of interest around the site, such as the Royal Palace, crypt, and Wulfric’s Rotunda, which help you imagine just how significant this place once was. It’s also one of those sites that, surprisingly, not even every local seems to have visited.
So no, it’s not the kind of abbey where you walk into a grand intact building—but if you like ruins, history, and quieter sites that feel a little overlooked, I still think it’s worth your time. (check site access, ticket price, and what sections are currently open)
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-augustines-abbey
Canterbury by boat: the most fun way to see the city
If you only do one extra thing in Canterbury beyond walking around, I’d make it a river tour.
We went with Canterbury Historic River Tours, and it ended up being one of my favourite parts of the trip. It was fun, relaxing, and a really lovely way to understand the city a bit more. Our guide shared lots of little stories and bits of history that made the place feel more alive, not in a dry “tour guide script” way, but in a warm, entertaining way.
You also pass under a number of little bridges, which makes the journey feel even more intimate. It reminded me a little of Cambridge, but smaller, softer, and somehow more tucked away. If you enjoy hearing local stories while gently floating through a city, I’d really recommend it. (check booking times and seasonal schedule)
A birthday lunch at Old Weavers’ House
This ended up becoming one of the sweetest memories from the trip.
The first time I did the boat tour, I noticed the outdoor beer garden seating at Old Weavers’ House right by the river. You can watch the boats pass while you eat, and I immediately thought, this would be such a nice place to celebrate something.
So when I came back with my mum, I booked it for her birthday.
What I didn’t expect was how kind the restaurant would be. They actually prepared a little cake and sang Happy Birthday to her, which made her so happy. Truly one of those moments where you can’t stop smiling because the person you love is smiling that much.
It was also my first time trying banoffee cake, and honestly? So good!!! That alone deserves a mention.
If you want a meal that feels a little special without being too formal, this is a lovely option, especially if you can get a riverside seat. (check booking policy and terrace availability)
Canterbury Cathedral
Before visiting Canterbury Cathedral, I already knew the story of Thomas Becket, and I remember thinking: people in the past were really… intense.
Like, can someone really be murdered inside a cathedral?
And of course, that’s exactly what makes Canterbury Cathedral so significant. Founded in 597 AD and rebuilt over centuries, it became one of the most important Christian sites in England. The murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170 turned it into a major pilgrimage destination in medieval Europe.
When you step inside, it really does feel solemn and beautiful in a way that photos can’t fully capture. The scale, the stone, the light—it all makes sense the moment you’re there. It’s one of those places people constantly recommend, and for once I completely get why.
Even if you’re not especially religious, it’s hard not to be moved by the atmosphere. (check ticketing, service times, and photography guidance)
Westgate Gardens: one of the prettiest corners in Canterbury
Westgate Gardens is genuinely beautiful.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down for no reason, sit by the water, and just enjoy the fact that somewhere can be this pleasant.
There’s also another boating option here: Westgate Punts. Compared with Canterbury Historic River Tours, this one feels quieter and more scenic. Less storytelling, more just sitting back and taking in the river.
So I’d say it depends what kind of boat experience you want:
- Canterbury Historic River Tours if you want fun stories and local history
- Westgate Punts if you prefer a calmer, more peaceful ride
Either way, if the weather is good, seeing Canterbury from the water is one of the best things you can do.
Final thoughts
Canterbury surprised me by how quickly it made me want to come back.
It has the kind of beauty that doesn’t shout. It’s in the old walls by the station, the little lanes that frame the cathedral, the quiet river, the leaning buildings, and the way history sits so naturally inside everyday life.
The fact that I visited twice in one month probably says enough.
If you’re looking for an easy trip from London that feels historic, walkable, and genuinely lovely, Canterbury is such a good choice. And if you can, go on a sunny day and take the boat.
If this guide helped, watch the vlog, save this post for your next England day trip, and send it to someone who loves old towns and peaceful river views!