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Sightseeing in Canterbury - what to see. Complete travel guide

Canterbury is a British city in the county of Kent. The population of this city is only forty-five thousand people. The city is built on the River Stour that divides into two arms in the south-eastern part of Canterbury. One of these creeks flows along the fortress wall that now lies in ruins, and the other creek is like an arrow that pierces the city. Canterbury is conventionally divided into several parts, and this fact differs it from other cities in England. The central part of the city is the best place to learn more about the history of the region. North and West Canterbury are famous for their pubs and nightclubs, and the southern and eastern parts of the city are the location of shops and restaurants.
The territory of modern Canterbury was inhabited yet during the prehistoric times. Archaeological excavations prove this fact. Scientists discovered tools that are typical for the Palaeolithic age, Stone Age items, and various artifacts that date back to the Bronze Age. First mentions of this region date back to the period when the Celtic tribe of Cantiaci established a settlement here. At the start of our age, Romans conquered this region and decided to build a new town here. They named it Durovernum Cantiacorum.
This was an important period for the whole region because Romans developed the town’s infrastructure. They built baths, a temple, theater, and a forum that is an open space building in the central part of Canterbury. Rich and noble people settled in stone houses while the poor built wooden buildings. In order to protect the city from attacks of barbaric tribes, it was decided to build a thick wall around the town. However, when the Roman occupation ended in the 5th century, the city lost its importance and became desolated. That being said, this period didn’t last long. The Anglo-Saxons settled the territory in less than a century and renamed the town as Cantwareburh. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
What landmarks should tourists see in Canterbury? The Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. Local people often call it the Metropolitical Church. The cathedral was restored a number of times since 597. Despite this, it has managed to retain its centuries-old charm. While visiting this cathedral, you will notice that it doesn’t have one style because elements of different architectural styles were used in the design of this building. This is a truly glorious ensemble that consists of multiple halls and rooms. There are several other supportive buildings near the cathedral.
The eastern part of the church is the oldest. This is a wonderful example of Roman style. The nave in the center was built in the 14th century. The Trinity Chapel in the cathedral is the location of Thomas Becket’s remains. This is also the seat of the country’s archbishop. When exploring the building, pay your attention to beautiful stained-glass windows with scenes from the Bible and everyday life in the past. The gothic towers were added to the cathedral in the 19th century. They made the look complete and added even more charm to the gorgeous church. The taking a stroll on the adjacent territory, pay your attention to the plants cultivated in the monastery garden. It is possible to see some rare species here.
The Church of St Martin is the oldest church in Great Britain. It was erected in the 6th century by the order of Queen Bertha of Kent. At that time, it was a private chapel of the queen. There was a Roman temple on this site before the church. However, when Romans left the region, the queen ordered to transform the temple to her own chapel. The design of the church has many architectural elements that are typical for antique architecture.
Later, the church got a new tower in the gothic style. The church is still active in modern times, so everyone is welcome to enter it to visit a divine service or to pray. Local people prefer to get married in the Church of St Martin. This is also the major church for funerals.
Canterbury doesn’t fall asleep after sunset. That being said, tourists need to keep in mind that the majority of entertainment establishments are located in the northern and western parts of the city. There are three nightclubs where visitors can listen to pop and rhythm and blues music. There is a university in another part of the city. Visitors can attend interesting concerts here. Besides that, there is a theater that regularly hosts various events, and local actors prepare interesting performances and plays.
The easiest way to reach Canterbury is from London. You can get to the capital of the United Kingdom from virtually any county in the world. Most capitals have direct flights to London. Having arrived in London, head to Victoria or Charing Cross stations as there are high-speed trains that depart from them. In just one hour, you will reach the beautiful capital of Kent County.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Canterbury and surroundings

Reference information
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Canterbury
♥   Castle 'Canterbury Castle Canterbury' , 0.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Chilham Castle' , 9.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Westenhanger Castle' , 20.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Saltwood Castle' , 22.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Castle 'Stone Castle' , 23.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all parks
National and city parks around Canterbury
♥   Park 'Queen Elizabeth II' , 81.1 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Regional Nature Park 'Caps et marais d’Opale' , 83.3 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Sights around Canterbury from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'

Ivy House

From the series “Unique Living Houses”
The article pointed out that in recent years the house was in disrepair and needed care. It was also told that ivy, which has fully braided facade of the building, wasn’t cut for more than 20 years. Even more, the house is so merged with the surrounding nature, that a tree started to sprout through the kitchen floor. Today, the spectacular old building looks much more attractive than before sale. The new owner expects to resell it for a sum of several times the amount of the purchase. Hederated homes and bridges are not very rare for the UK, but only the Ivy House located in Chelmsford has gained the worldwide fame. … Read further

Bodiam Castle

From the series “Impressive Castles and Palaces Located on Water”
Originally, the castle was built as a strategic object necessary for the protection of the surroundings of Red City. The French troops were a great danger to the settlement. However, in the fifteenth century the castle was forced to attack the troops of Richards III. Cut off. Bodiam is one of the most unusual castles in Britain. The castle is located very far from the waterfront and is located in the middle of the moat. Only a few castles from the 14th century had such a brittle construction project. It is clear that such a situation has significantly increased the strategic security of the castle. … Read further
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Canterbury

Thailand Relaxes Its COVID-19 Policy

New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this

19.03.2024

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Sightseeing in regions nearby Canterbury

All about Canterbury, Great Britain - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Canterbury, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Canterbury in few days.
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