Canterbury

Canterbury: Encircled by medieval walls, Canterbury is doused in history. In the Middle Ages, Canterbury’s pilgrimage-site status made it the setting of Chaucer’s seminal "Canterbury Tales." Today, cobbled streets and the 6th-century Canterbury Cathedral secure this city as one of England’s must-visit destinations. Canterbury has quite a different vibe from the more bustling, modern London; the locals are more relaxed and there are much less city sounds. Its quiet atmosphere makes it a great place for leisure and relaxation.

• Traveling to Canterbury:

  • Trains are the preferred method to arriving at Canterbury. They leave for both Canterbury West and Canterbury East; both are fine options, but West is a bit closer to the town center. (It is a small town). From your dormitory, walk to Borough Station (10-15min) and take the Northern Line on the underground to King’s Cross St. Pancras (5min). From the overground station, you can take a ~1.5 train ride to either Canterbury station.

• Activities

  • The most popular site is the Canterbury Cathedral. Nicknamed “England in Stone,” it contains several graves of Medieval Knights, Kings, and Queens, including the Black Prince and Jeanne of Navarre. It also includes a famous memorial to the assassinated St. Thomas Becket, further commemorated in T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral.

  • Westgate Gardens contains a wide array of flowers, greens, and a lovely walk along a river. You can also paddle through the river. It is a very scenic area to take a leisurely stroll.