Posted at May 17, 2010

Travel Monday – Canterbury, United Kingdom

Line Break

Author: Kathryn Frengs (350 Articles)

Travelfusion's Social Media Officer, I manage all of our online marketing and presence on Twitter, Facebook, our blog and more. I love my job!

In this era of ash clouds, strikes and other general travel disruptions, I thought today’s Travel Monday should be dedicated to a place easy to reach by rail or car in the UK. Enter Canterbury, a gorgeous town that I had the pleasure of recently visiting.

Just an hour from central London on the new high-speed rail line, Canterbury makes a perfect day trip or a place to stop on a wider tour of the region. Though the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the city began to take shape and look like it is today in Roman times. In the late 500’s, the work on the cathedral and abbey began, cementing Canterbury’s place as a notable religious city.

canterbury cathedral

Photo credit: Kathryn @Travelfusion

Visiting the Canterbury Cathedral was the highlight of my recent trip. It’s easy to see why the cathedral has been selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and why it’s considered to be one of the most famous existing Christian structures in the world. The cathedral itself is massive and gorgeous, but just as beautiful and exciting for me were the surrounding gardens and cloisters.

Us at the Cathedral

Photo credit: Kathryn @Travelfusion

We took our time exploring the structure, marvelling at the tombs of famous Brits like King Henry IV. After exploring the crypts and the stately choir, it was time to enjoy the gardens that were just fantastic, despite all the rain!

canterbury cathedral gardens

Photo credit: Kathryn @Travelfusion

Another highlight of the visit and a recommended attraction was Saint Augustine’s Abbey. Built before the year 600, the Abbey was an active cultural and religious centre for a century, until the systematic dismantling of the structure as ordered in 1538 by the King.

st augustine abbey

Photo credit: Kathryn @Travelfusion

We visited the Abbey just before closing time, which meant that it was nearly empty and we were able to explore the whole ground on our own. It was a fantastic way to see the ruins and imagine what they must have been like in their heyday!

st augustines abbey

Photo credit: Kathryn @Travelfusion

Canterbury really is the perfect place for a break. Walking the streets that look like they come directly from a storybook was a great way to unwind and I’d love to go back someday. Maybe next time it won’t pour rain the whole weekend?

canterbury