A network of cycle routes passes through some of the region’s most beautiful countryside and woodland. Whether you are looking for family friendly cycling routes in the Canterbury area or a long distance challenge, you will find a great selection of cycling routes on the Canterbury website.
Archives: Canterbury
Canterbury
St Augustine’s Abbey
St Augustine’s Abbey was founded shortly after AD 597 by St Augustine. Originally created as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent, it is part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site, along with the cathedral and St Martin’s Church. Visitors can enjoy the museum and free audio tour, along with the new Virtual Reality experience.
Canterbury, CT1 1PF
Dane John Gardens
Dane John Gardens is located within Canterbury city’s wall. It includes a mound which historical records prove was there in the first century AD. Wander up to the top of the mound for an excellent view of the city. There is a safe play area for children, a bandstand as a venue for traditional concerts throughout the summer (as well as the annual Food and Drink Festival), a refreshments kiosk, and a fountain which provides a focus for the shaded walk along the avenue of lime trees.
Westgate gardens
Situated alongside Westgate Towers, the city’s 600-year-old gatehouse, Westgate Gardens has been a public open space since the Middle Ages, making it one of England’s oldest parks. Part of the gardens is an official ancient monument site because it covers the remains of the old Roman wall and London road gate. The river, with its ever-present ducks and summertime punts, is just one of the features which makes Westgate Gardens special. In the spring the gardens are a mass of flowering bulbs.
Goodnestone
Just seven miles from Canterbury, Goodnestone Park is an exquisite stately home and gardens with connections to Jane Austen. There is a beautiful walled garden, Serpentine walk and nursery.
Goodnestone, Kent, CT3 1PL
Marlowe Theatre
The Marlowe Theatre is an astonishing venue right in the heart of the City. It re-opened in October 2011 after an extensive rebuild and has since become one of the country’s leading regional theatres. The programme of shows includes plays, major West End musicals, ballet, contemporary dance, opera, stand-up comedy, orchestral concerts, music gigs and children’s shows.
Gusborne Estate
Based in Appledore, Kent, the original Gusbourne Estate dates back to 1410. In 2004, Andrew Weeber took over the estate with a clear vision and a single goal: to create English Sparkling wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offerings from across the globe. Thirteen years later, Gusbourne supplies wines for the UK’s leading restaurants. They offer year-round guided tours of the estate, with the opportunity to taste the whole range of wines in the elegant tasting room.
Chartham vineyard
Chartham Vineyard is one of East Kent’s newest vineyards situated at Burnt House Farm in Chartham just outside Canterbury. Wines are sold direct from the farm.
Wingham Wildlife Park
Wingham Wildlife Park is a 26 acre wildlife park situated near Wingham, just seven miles from The Falstaff. The park houses big cats, otters, wolves, lemurs, monkeys, crocodiles and penguins to name a few.
Howletts
Howletts is Kent’s wildlife park and a conservation charity, set up by John Aspinall in 1957. Howletts boasts over 400 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, as well as gorillas, tigers, leopards and monkeys in 90 acres of beautiful ancient parkland.
Canterbury Castle
Canterbury Castle is a Norman Castle – one of three original Royal castles of Kent (the other two being Rochester Castle and Dover Castle). They were all built soon after the Battle of Hastings, on the main Roman road from Dover to London. It is a five-minute walk from Canterbury East Station.
Canterbury tales
A visit to Canterbury is not complete without experiencing Chaucer’s famous tales at Canterbury’s visitor attraction. Meet costumed guides, walk alongside Chaucer’s pilgrims and revel in the recreated medieval scenes as five of Chaucer’s colourful tales are brought vividly to life.
Beaney House
The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge is an Art Gallery, Library and Visitor Information Centre situated in the heart of historic Canterbury.
Located in a stunning Grade II listed building, this award winning facility provides state-of-the-art exhibition galleries, excellent educational facilities and a varied programme of events for all ages.
Broadstairs
Broadstairs is a quintessential British seaside town full of old-world charm. There are sandy bays, surf schools, fishermen’s cottages, art galleries and museums. Broadstairs boasts an impressive seven sand-filled beaches and bays. The town’s main beach is Viking Bay or you can head to Joss Bay to learn to surf. At rural Botany Bay you can saunter amid towering chalk stacks.
Sandwich
Sandwich is one of the best preserved medieval towns in England. Situated upon the River Stour and one of the original five Cinque Ports, it is just a 30 minute drive from Canterbury. The Sandwich and Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve is a site of special scientific interest and is the only ancient dune pasture in Kent. The reserve is made up of a complex mosaic of habitats: inter-tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, shingle beach, sand dunes, ancient dune pastures, chalk cliffs, wave cut platform and coastal scrubland.
Roman museum
Canterbury’s Roman Museum is built around the remains of a Roman town house with mosaics preserved where excavated.
Descend 100 years with each step or by lift to the Roman street level. Stroll through the marketplace, look inside recreated Roman rooms, and discover amazing finds including a hoard of hidden treasure.
Longmarket, 11A Butchery Ln, Canterbury CT1 2JR
Whitstable
The fishing and harbour town of Whitstable is just 7 miles away from Canterbury. It is like no other town by the sea with its strong arts culture and rich maritime history.
Whitstable’s oysters are an intrinsic part of this sea town’s character and are celebrated every July at the Oyster Festival. There are independent shops, galleries and delicatessens along the twisting lanes and alleyways with eccentric names such as ‘Squeeze Gut Alley’.
Along the coast at Tankerton, colourful beach huts and grassy slopes dip to meet the sea.
Barnsole Vineyard
Visitors are most welcome to this friendly vineyard and winery from May until the end of September. The 7-acre vineyard produces both sparkling and still wines and their wines have won many awards in regional and national competitions.
Free mini-tours, lasting about 20 minutes, are available without prior appointment. Visitors may see how our vines are grown and how the wine is produced – always followed by a free tasting. Guided group tours for up to 40 visitors by prior arrangement.
Royal St George’s
Royal St George’s is located near Sandwich, just half an hour’s drive from Canterbury. One of the premier golf clubs in the UK, Royal St George’s is one of the courses on The Open Championship rotation. Visitors are welcome from Monday to Friday (except Public and Bank Holidays) – weekends are reserved for members. Visitors may play having been introduced by a member, or on production of a letter of introduction from their Club Secretary.
Princes Golf Club
Prince’s Golf Club offers a 27 hole Championship Golf Course which runs along beautiful coastline. Princes has three nine hole courses, which all have wonderful history and prove a tough test. In the past Princes has held a number of Major tournaments including The Open Championship and The Amateur Championship.
Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9QB
Tel: +44 1304 611118 Email: [email protected]
Canterbury Golf Club
Situated in a delightful woodland setting around half-a-mile from Canterbury city centre, Canterbury Golf Club boasts a Harry Colt-designed inland course with a long history and much of the site is designated as a site of Special Scientific interest by Natural England.
Scotland Hills, Littlebourne Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 1TW
Tel: 01227 453 532
River Tours
Take an entertaining and relaxing trip down the River Stour with Canterbury Historic River Tours. Listen to the history of the wonderful buildings which grace the River’s banks with informative, funny and competent oarsmen.
Canterbury Cathedral
World-famous Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and best-known Christian structures in England. It forms part of a World Heritage Site. It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Founded in 597, the cathedral was completely rebuilt between 1070 and 1077. Pilgrims and visitors have made their way to Canterbury Cathedral since the Middle Ages. The Cathedral houses the shrine of Thomas Becket, the archbishop who was murdered in the cathedral in 1170. With over a million visitors a year, it remains one of the most visited places in the country.