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Weekend in Canterbury: An Efficient UK Itinerary for Work-Life Travelers

From afar, I imagine that Canterbury in Kent, England looks much as it did one thousand years ago with life revolving around the Canterbury Cathedral. 

Canterbury itself is a World Heritage Site and the Cathedral is home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the church of England. 

Just under 2 hours from London by train, Canterbury is an ideal weekend break or add-on to a business trip. You can also count Canterbury among the more ambitious days trips from London you could feasibly undertake. 

Here are ten reasons to visit this most historic of towns. This post is designed to show you how I maximize opportunities to travel efficiently even when faced with the constraints of a demanding day job and show you how you can too!

A picturesque view of the River Stour in Canterbury, UK. Several wooden punting boats are moored along the bank, and a man in a red shirt sits on a stone wall. The banks are lined with green lawns, flowers, and trees.

1. Admire the Cathedral from Afar

No matter where you are in town, Canterbury Cathedral rises above it all. Imagine medieval life carrying on in its shadow.

A panoramic view of the Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rising above the rooftops of the city. The cathedral's spires are a prominent feature of the skyline

2. The Cathedral Exterior

Drawing up closer, admire the exterior of the cathedral which is particularly impressive during the Golden Hour. The sharp towers look like they were thrust up out of the earth by supernatural forces.

A close-up, low-angle shot of the majestic Canterbury Cathedral tower with its many spires, glowing in the late afternoon sun. A blue sky with white clouds is in the background, and a residential building is on the left. A must-see on a Canterbury weekend break.

3. The Cathedral Interior and Astounding Stained Glass

The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive with columns and arches that seem to go on forever. The interior is decidedly Gothic after the cathedral was rebuilt in 1174. 

I was particularly impressed by the vivid stained glass that adds a pop of color to an otherwise gray space.

A close-up of a vibrant stained-glass window in Canterbury Cathedral. The window depicts a central figure in green and white, surrounded by other figures and ornate blue, red, and yellow geometric patterns.

4. Be a Tree Hugger in Westgate Gardens

From Westgate Gardens you can simultaneously see the imposing gates to the city and punters having a lark on the river. The gardens also feature an impressively large Oriental Plane tree imported during Victorian times and purported to be over 200 years old. 

I couldn’t help myself and walked up attempting to wrap my arms around its substantial girth.

A wide, gnarled and bumpy plane tree trunk with lush green leaves stands on a stone-paved circle in a park in Canterbury, UK

5. Solly’s Orchard and Mill Park

Solly’s Orchard and Mill Park is another green space worth exploring on a weekend break in Canterbury. Converted from an old mill, the park still retains vestiges of its past life. Apple trees dot the landscape in the shadow of the Cathedral.

A historic red brick and stone building with a red tile roof stands on the bank of the River Stour in Canterbury, UK. The building is surrounded by green trees and reflects in the calm water.
SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Looking for other historic places to visit in England? I recommend:
Spending a weekend in the walled city of Chester.
Planning a weekend in Bath and the Cotswolds including iconic and mysterious Stonehenge.
Taking a sojourn into North Wales with a home base in Conwy.
Exploring Oxford University for a day.
Discovering all the fun things to do in York in the North of England.

6. Medieval Canterbury Flair

Canterbury has considerable medieval flare. From imposing gray stone facades to severely tilting merchant shops to historic pubs: just walking along the streets of this historic English city will take you back in time.

The "Crooked House" of Canterbury, a famously leaning, half-timbered building with a blue door and leaded glass windows. A Charles Dickens quote about the house is painted on a sign.

7. Half Timbered Facades

Canterbury also features its share of medieval half timbered facades; many sagging but still functional hundreds of years later.

A tall, half-timbered building with cream-colored plaster and dark wood beams stands on a cobblestone street. The building has multiple leaded glass windows and a prominent wooden door. This is a classic example of historic architecture to see on a Canterbury weekend break.

8. Eat Imaginative Cuisine

Canterbury is a medieval town but the cuisine is now decidedly modern. Café des Amis has a French name but features gourmet Mexican cuisine just outside the town gate near Westgate Gardens. It was an ideal spot for us to stop and refuel for lunch after a morning of exploration. 

A gourmet dish on a yellow plate with a flaky, white piece of fish topped with a herb crust. It is served on a bed of smashed avocado and a reddish sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge.

9. Drink Craft Beer and Eat Pub Grub at The Foundry Brewpub

Another decidedly modern aspect of Canterbury life is the craft brew scene. After dark, we descended on The Foundry for fish and chips washed down with craft beer and local cider. This place is a real gem.

A plate of food with a large, golden-brown fish fry, a side of french fries, and a small salad. A pint glass of beer with "CANTERBURY BREWERS" on it is next to the plate.

10. Walk the Walls

While this tour of Canterbury started at the center at the iconic cathedral it ends on the outskirts. A good section of the town wall is still intact and makes for a lovely walk on a sunny day to work off all the beer and local cuisine. 

A high-angle view of the medieval city walls of Canterbury, UK. The rough-hewn stone wall with a round tower stretches across the image, surrounded by a green grassy moat under a blue sky with white clouds.

We found that Canterbury is an ideal weekend break if you live in the UK or European Union. It is also a fantastic candidate for a London business trip add-on and a perfect example of how to embrace part-time travel and maximize your limited time off to explore the world while pursuing a full-time career.

Where to Stay in Canterbury

We stayed at the Premier Inn Canterbury City Centre Hotel on New Dover Road. Expect to pay between 80 – 100 GBP per night. We like Premier Inns because they are clean and easy to navigate. 

Don’t expect a lot of luxury, but you’ll get a comfortable stay with no fuss. There are plenty of boutique hotels in Canterbury if you prefer a more unique stay rather than something practical but “cookie-cutter”.

The ancient stone ruins of St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The arches of the ruined walls stand against a cloudy sky, with green foliage in the foreground.

Getting to Canterbury

Head to Victoria Station in London to catch the Southeastern Railway line to Canterbury. We paid 59 GBP per person for round trip off-peak tickets (the Weekender Return fare). 

While you’re in Kent, why not also take a day trip from Canterbury to Dover or explore towns along the train line like Faversham and Rochester.

Where to Next?

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