Best Spring Days Out for Boat Lovers

Just a hop, skip and a jump from the coast, Canterbury strikes an inimitable balance of thriving student city, historical haven, and quaint yet quirky charm. Whilst its eponymous cathedral affords it official status as a city (and UNESCO World Heritage Site, for that matter), it’s a far cry from your typical metropolis.

The picturesque riverside setting, abundance of independent shops and eateries, and steadfast cultural scene make Canterbury a gem of quintessential Britain, but it’s also home to centuries of history and a rich artistic legacy.

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Dominating the skyline and boasting over 1,400 years of history to its name, England’s first Cathedral draws visitors in year after year, and it’s definitely a must-visit for a day out in Canterbury. Highlights include the Romanesque crypt, a perpendicular nave and medieval stained glass windows. It’s unsurprisingly one of the most visited places in the country - we’d recommend giving yourself a couple of hours here, as there’s a vast amount to explore.

Top tip

After you’ve finished exploring, stop in for a bite to eat at The Old Buttermarket, located just a few steps from the entrance of the Cathedral. Outdoor tables in the square make it the perfect spot for a bit of people-watching, and the food’s seriously good, too.

Tick off all three of these Boatyards

It’s not just the Cathedral that’s a World Heritage Site here - Canterbury’s home to three of them, and if you’re looking to get a real feel for the history of the place, you can visit the entire trio pretty easily. Take a wander around the outside of the city walls and you’ll find the ruins of St. Augustine’s Abbey, originally a burial ground for the Anglo-Saxon Kings of Kent; nearby, The Church of St. Martin is widely recognised as the oldest church in Britain still in use. You can actually do all three via a self-guided linear walk.

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The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is where you want to be if you’re looking for a whistle-stop culture tour of Canterbury. A combination of art gallery, museum, and library, this Grade II listed Victorian building pulls out all the stops, with over 1,000 artefacts on permanent display, and regular temporary exhibitions.