Activities & Attractions (30)
Canterbury Cathedral
Spend time in the Gothic cathedral and the surrounding precincts; keep this unhurried and include the exterior and interior highlights.
Canterbury Roman Museum
Descend underground to see Roman mosaic floors and artifacts beneath today’s city streets, with interactive displays for children.
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Spend the day visiting gorillas, tigers, elephants and more along woodland paths, with play areas and keeper talks scattered around the park.
The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge
Small, eclectic museum and gallery in a historic building—mix of local history, artworks, and curiosities.
Canterbury Cathedral & Precincts
Explore the vast Gothic interior, quiet cloisters, and the Cathedral precinct courtyards and gardens; take your time in the cloister, crypt (if open), and the green spaces around the buildings for atmospheric, almost otherworldly photos.
Canterbury City Walls & Dane John Gardens
Climb up to sections of the old city wall and walk along, then descend into Dane John Gardens, a park with trees, hedges, and a small mound lookout over the city.
Westgate Gardens & River Walk
Stroll from Westgate Towers into the riverside gardens with big trees, flower beds, and grassy spots where kids can run or watch ducks.
Canterbury Historic River Tour
Board a traditional punt or small boat near the High Street bridge for a guided trip along the River Stour, gliding under low bridges and past hidden gardens and medieval buildings.
Westgate Gardens
Take an easy riverside walk through the gardens, pausing for views of the old tower and tree-lined riverbanks.
Westgate Gardens & River Stour Walk
Start near the medieval Westgate Towers and wander south along the River Stour through Westgate Gardens, with weeping willows, dense shrubs, and flower borders creating a lush, almost jungle-like feel; continue along the riverside paths as far as you like.
Canterbury Cathedral & Cloisters
Explore the nave, crypt, and especially the cloisters with their grassy quadrangle and stone arches; spend extra time in the cathedral gardens just outside for quiet, green corners.
Canterbury City Walls Walk
Follow a section of the old walls and nearby lanes for views over gardens, rooftops, and the river edge.
Canterbury Historic River Tours (Punting on the Stour)
Join a guided punt or small boat from the bridge area and glide under low stone bridges, past gardens, overhanging trees and medieval buildings. The narration mixes history with fun facts and kids will love ducking under the bridges and spotting fish and ducks.
Greyfriars Chapel & Franciscan Gardens
Enter through a discreet gate off Stour Street to find a small chapel on an island and gardens with trees, wildflowers and quiet paths along the river. Explore the bridge, sit on benches and listen to the water.
St Augustine’s Abbey
Walk through extensive ruins and green lawns where one of England’s earliest monasteries once stood, with simple exhibits and plenty of open space.
Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint
Climb or view the old gateway for a compact history stop with city views and easy access back into the center.
Blean Woods National Nature Reserve
Take a local bus or short taxi to Blean Woods, then follow one of the marked circular trails through dense woodland, ferns, and clearings—carry water and a snack.
Blean Woods National Nature Reserve Walk
Take a short bus or taxi to this large, ancient woodland north of Canterbury. Follow waymarked paths through dense trees, undergrowth, and clearings, listening for birds and enjoying the lush, natural atmosphere.
Blean Woods Nature Reserve
Spend the morning on easy woodland trails for a real nature contrast to the city center.
Canterbury Cathedral Precincts Free Explore
After the main visit, roam the surrounding precincts, small gardens and side lanes, looking for gargoyles, carved faces and quiet corners.
Canterbury City Walls Walk (Short Section)
Walk a short, accessible section of the old city walls near Dane John Gardens, getting tree-level views and plenty of greenery below.
Canterbury Historic Centre Orientation Walk
From Westgate Towers, stroll through the medieval West Gate into the High Street, exploring crooked lanes, timbered houses and the Buttermarket area near the cathedral.
Canterbury Historic City Centre Stroll
Explore the medieval streets around High Street, The Parade and Buttermarket, spotting half‑timbered buildings, quirky shop signs and the cathedral looming above rooftops. Let the kids help navigate down narrow, twisting lanes and peek through gateways into hidden gardens.
Canterbury Historic River Tour (Punting)
Join a guided punt along the narrow, tree-shaded River Stour, gliding under bridges and past ivy-covered walls and gardens while hearing stories about the city’s past.
Canterbury Historic River Tour (River Stour)
Take a guided punt or small boat along the River Stour to see medieval buildings, low bridges, and lush riverbanks from the water.
Canterbury Historic River Tours
Take a guided punt or small boat along the River Stour, gliding under low stone bridges, past overgrown riverbanks and medieval buildings; you mostly just sit and listen as the guide explains Canterbury’s stories.
Canterbury Historic River Tours (Punting)
Join a guided punt or small boat tour from the riverside; you’ll glide under low bridges, past leafy banks, and hear stories about the buildings above you.
Canterbury Historic River Tours (Punting/Boat Tour)
Join a small guided boat tour along the River Stour, gliding under low bridges and past gardens and old stone buildings. Boats generally depart from near the bridge by Westgate Gardens; just walk up and book for the next available slot in season.
Canterbury Historic River Tours (River Stour Punting/Boating)
Join a guided boat tour along the River Stour, gliding under low bridges and past gardens tumbling down to the water. You simply show up at the booking point by the bridge; trips run regularly in season.
Canterbury Night Walk via Dane John Gardens
On your way back from dinner, cut through Dane John Gardens if it feels safe and well lit, taking in silhouettes of trees and walls at night.
Restaurants & Food (20)
The Veg Box Café
Bright, plant-filled vegetarian café just off the High Street; order the vegan full breakfast or shakshuka-style baked beans with sourdough, plus fresh juices or herbal tea. All food is vegetarian/vegan so you avoid non-halal meat entirely.
Kitch
Rustic, health-focused café with potted plants and wooden tables; go for vegetarian-friendly grain bowls, falafel wraps, or salads, and ask for details on dressings to avoid any alcohol or meat stocks.
The Refectory Kitchen
Modern café-brunch spot with big windows and lots of natural light. Stick to vegetarian plates like mushroom toast, vegetarian full breakfast (ask to exclude any non-halal sausages or bacon), pancakes, and porridge; confirm no alcohol-based sauces.
The Goods Shed
Choose the vegetarian dishes, salads, or any halal-verified grilled fish/seafood options if available on the day; ask staff directly about halal preparation before ordering.
Alberrys Canterbury
Atmospheric bar‑restaurant in a historic cellar with plants and brick arches; order vegetarian burgers, pasta and salads (avoid meat, verify ingredients and be aware alcohol is served).
Bengal Brasserie Canterbury
Order halal-friendly breakfast items such as omelet, paratha-style options, or vegetarian dishes; confirm halal preparation on arrival and choose meat-free items if preferred.
Café des Amis
Choose vegetarian mezze, falafel-style plates, grilled halloumi, or seafood-based dishes; confirm any sauces and broths are halal-friendly.
Café No.35
Order a halal-friendly breakfast such as eggs, avocado toast, porridge, or vegetarian plates; confirm no bacon or pork-based ingredients in any add-ons.
Café St Pierre
Small French-style café near the main streets, often with plants and a cozy interior. Halal options: vegetarian pastries, cheese or egg-based breakfast items, and coffee/tea—avoid any meat fillings and confirm no gelatine in desserts.
Kashmir Tandoori
Use this as a late brunch spot rather than early breakfast. They offer halal chicken and lamb (confirm on arrival). Order vegetable samosas, chana masala, chicken curry, and naan for a hearty mid-morning meal; specify no alcohol in cooking.
Kitch Café
Bright, casual café with lots of indoor plants and a slightly boho vibe; for halal, choose vegetarian breakfasts like avocado toast, veggie hash, porridge, and pastries, plus juices and good coffee.
Posillipo Canterbury
Go for vegetarian pasta, seafood pasta, margherita-style pizzas, or other meat-free dishes; ask for no pork, no alcohol-based sauces, and separate preparation if needed.
The Olive Grove Canterbury
Mediterranean café with a cosy, plant-filled interior; for halal, stick to clearly vegetarian options like shakshuka without cheese if needed, Greek salad, hummus with warm bread, and veggie mezze plates.
Tiny Tim's Tearoom
Choose the vegetarian breakfast, fruit scones, or other meat-free plates; these are the safest halal-friendly options here.
A La Turka – Another Visit or Takeaway
Back in Canterbury, either dine in again or get takeaway. Choose halal chicken, lamb, or vegetarian meze as before, confirming halal meat and no wine in sauces.
A La Turka – St Peter’s Street
Turkish restaurant in a brick-and-timber building with warm, slightly rustic décor; they serve halal chicken and lamb dishes (confirm when seated) such as chicken shish, lamb köfte, and mixed grills, plus plenty of vegetarian options like falafel, imam bayildi, and mixed mezze.
A La Turka – Sun Street (Alternate Branch)
Sister branch of A La Turka just steps from the Cathedral, with lanterns, stone walls, and a warm, cave-like feel; again, halal chicken and lamb (confirm on arrival) and excellent mezze, grills, and kid-friendly rice dishes, plus many vegetarian options.
A La Turka (St. Peter’s Street)
Lively Turkish restaurant with leafy decor and warm lighting; order from the charcoal grill (ask specifically for halal chicken/lamb), mezze like hummus, falafel and grilled halloumi, and avoid alcohol-based sauces. Staff can confirm which meats are certified halal.
A La Turka Rosemary Lane
Sister Turkish restaurant to the St Peter’s branch, with a cozy, plant-accented interior; stick to clearly halal lamb and chicken grills, veggie meze, and fresh salads—ask staff to reconfirm halal certification and avoid any dishes flambéed with alcohol.
A La Turka St Peter’s
Turkish restaurant with lots of greenery in the décor and a warm, intimate feel. They serve halal meat (confirm again when seated). Go for mixed grills, chicken shish, lamb kofta, meze platters, and vegetarian dishes; avoid dishes cooked with wine.
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