In & Around Canterbury

Canterbury is a World Heritage site renowned for it's spectacular and historic cathedral, one of the oldest Christian structures in England and home of the worldwide Anglian communion. The cathedral's first archbishop was St. Augustine of Canterbury, previously abbot of St. Andrew's Benedictine Abbey in Rome. He was sent by Pope Gregory the Great in AD 597 as a missionary to the Anglo-Saxons. Augustine founded the cathedral in 602 AD and dedicated it to St. Saviour. Archaeological investigations under the nave floor in 1993 revealed the foundations of the original Saxon cathedral, which had been built across a former Roman road.

Things to Do

There is much more to Canterbury than just the Cathedral. The shopping is excellent, and Canterbury High Street offers a fantastic range of big name stores. The new Whitefriars Shopping Centre includes a stunning Fenwick department store. Spread over 5 floors, the new store brings to the city an unparalleled and dynamic range of new collections and brands, as well as existing favourites.

For an alternative shopping experience, take a stroll down the historic streets of Canterbury’s "King’s Mile" where you can find a nice selection of independent and traditional stores.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are some great walking and cycling routes around Canterbury and the nearby countryside and seaside offers a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city.

Photos

The historic and awe-inspiring Canterbury Cathedral