Canterbury Is Still A Top Attraction For Tourists

Tranquil river scene at Canterbury

Considering that at the last count, Canterbury had a population of around the mid 40,000's, this is yet another example of a town that is punching considerably above its weight in tourism terms.  Parts of the city have even been declared a World Heritage Site, and much of this is down to The Archbishop of Canterbury being the head of the Church of England and the Worldwide Anglican Communion. It truly became a place of pilgrimage after the murder of Thomas  Becket in 1170, by supporters of Henry II, with whom he was in conflict.

The cathedral is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions in the city, along with St. Augustine's Abbey and the ruined castle. The cathedral is one of the most imposing buildings and certainly one of the most visited. Records suggest it was founded in the late sixth century, and having been affected by fire on more than one occasion and also suffering suppression during the Dissolution, it has managed to survive to this day.

In turn, the castle is of Norman origins and is perfectly placed in the centre of the city, not far from the station, although that wasn't important in Norman times! Constructed soon after the Battle of Hastings, it was one of three built fairly quickly to safeguard the road to London.  St. Augustine's Abbey suffered badly as a result of Henry VIII's attentions during the Dissolution of the Monastries having survived from its original foundation in the sixth century.

Undoubtedly Canterbury is a top tourist attraction that would be popular with sightseers from abroad, who would fall in love with the history and the majesty of the buildings. If a city is to survive as a top tourist destination however, it needs to generate an income from the foot fall, and this is precisely what Canterbury is seeking to do. Alongside these top historical attractions, it promotes attractions such as the evening river tours.

Take the opportunity to enjoy the delights of the River Stour as it passes through the city by taking a candlelit evening tour. Aimed very much at groups, this will include food and drink at set tariffs and will take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and with the floodlit cathedral as a backdrop.

If you are feeling brave enough, meet the Ghosthunter for a seventy five minute tour around the spookier parts of the city, with the night time shadows for company. Don't worry, you will be safe if you stay with him.

Both the Gulbenkian Theatre and The Cinema can be found at the University of Kent in Canterbury, both of which offer something for all tastes.  If museums are your thing, choose between the Heritage Museum, the Roman Museum and the Westgate Towers Museum, the last of these being  the best preserved landmark after the cathedral.

Whitefriars is a top quality shopping complex, and cheerfully admits to winning the top five star rating in the annual “Loo of the Year” award! You may chuckle, but such awards are often an indication as to how well the whole complex is run. Canterbury also has a full range of pubs, restaurants and clubs to suit all tastes.

Never underestimate Canterbury as a touring centre that can be used as a base to explore the county of Kent, popularly called “The Garden of England”. Day trip to places such as Margate, Dover, Hythe, Deal and Broadstairs, and perhaps even consider a quick trip across the Channel via Eurostar.

Many visitors say that a visit to Canterbury turns out to be a rewarding experience, and the amount of return traffic is testament to that.

                                                        The Canterbury Ghosthunter

                                                               Canterbury Tourism