Canterbury Day Trip from London, England
A day trip to Canterbury from London was not on my radar until one of my friends, whom I was visiting in London, suggested it. Canterbury ended up being amazing, and one of my favorite London day trips!
I vaguely knew about Canterbury and its importance as a religious pilgrimage site because I’d had to study The Canterbury Tales in high school, and I’d heard of the famous Canterbury Cathedral.
But what I didn’t know was how charming the small city of Canterbury was, with its half-timbered houses, waterfront paths along the River Stour, cute cafes, pubs, and bookstores, and, of course, the iconic Canterbury Cathedral, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Canterbury is the perfect destination for a day trip from London if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while and slow down in this lovely town in the southwest of England.
Here’s everything you need to know about planning a day trip to Canterbury:
How to Get to Canterbury from London
Canterbury is easily reachable by train from central London. From Victoria Station, you can get to Canterbury in just an hour and a half on the fastest train, although some trains take closer to two hours.
Trains run regularly throughout the day, and you can buy tickets online in advance to save a bit of money. The cheapest fares are usually around $20 each way, for a total round-trip cost of $40.
In Canterbury, there are two train stations: Canterbury East and Canterbury West. Both are very conveniently located, and each is less than a ten-minute walk away from the historic city center.
You could also drive to Canterbury, but unless you’re local and have your own car already, I wouldn’t recommend this for tourists. Renting a car in London is expensive, traffic is hectic, and parking is a nightmare. It is usually faster and more cost-effective to simply take the train from London to Canterbury.
It’s also possible to take an organized tour to Canterbury for London. I will recommend several tours further down in this guide if you’re intersted in this option. Tours can be good if you don’t want to deal with any day trip logistics yourself, and if you want to visit multiple destination in a day.
However, the drawback is that you don’t have any flexibility in your itinerary, and your time might be more limited. It’s easy enough to get to Canterbury on your own that you don’t need a tour.
Things to Do in Canterbury
There are plenty of things to do in Canterbury to fill up a whole day here!
Visit Canterbury Cathedral
Naturally, Canterbury Cathedral is the reason that most people visit Canterbury. Founded in 597 by St. Augustine and largely rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries, this cathedral is the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and is the spiritual center of the Church of England. It’s also a popular pilgrimate site.
Unfortunately, the cathedral is not free to visit (tickets are £18), but even with the quite steep entry fee, I found it to be worth it. It’s a truly beautiful cathedral with a long and fascinating history.
Explore the town
Beyond the cathedral, there’s a lot more to explore in Canterbury. You can easily spend a couple of hours just strolling around. There are tons of shops to browse and plenty of restaurants, cafes, and pubs for when you’re ready to get a bite to eat. (I really enjoyed having a delicious brunch at Kitch!)
A great way to learn more about Canterbury’s history is on a walking tour. The town is very compact and walkable, and you’ll hear many stories about the medieval lanes as you stroll around Canterbury.
Spend time around or on the river
The River Stour flows through the city, creating many picturesque views. There are waterfront pathways and parks throughout Canterbury, like the charming Westgate Gardens near the city’s medieval gatehouse.
You can also get on the water with a punting tour, which gives you a unique vantage point of the city. Canterbury Punting Company and Westgate Punts both offer punting tours, where you can relax on the boat as a knowledgeable local guide paddles you down the river and talks about the city’s history and sights.
Best Tours to Canterbury
Although I mentioned earlier that it’s easy to get to Canterbury independently and that there’s plenty to do here on a day trip, you might be interested in visiting other nearby destinations too. And doing that is not as easy on your own with public transportation, which is where an organized tour can be a good idea.
I’ve researched all the best tours that include a visit to Canterbury, and these are my top picks for you:
White Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day TriP
Enjoy seeing Canterbury and the nearby White Cliffs of Dover on this day trip from London. You’ll first travel by mini-bus from central London to Dover, where you’ll have time to admire the dramatic coastal views and go for a cliffside stroll. After two hours, you’ll drive 25 minutes to Canterbury.
In Canterbury, you’ll have a guided walking tour before having free time to visit Canterbury Cathedral, enjoy lunch, and explore the town on your own. After spending 2.5 hours in Canterbury, you’ll return to London and arrive back in the early evening, giving you time for dinner and other activities.
Canterbury, White Cliffs, and Dover Castle Day Trip
On this day trip, you’ll visit Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover, but you’ll also have an additional stop at Dover Castle, one of the largest and most historically significant castles in England. Like the previous tour, it includes pickup and dropoff in central London and comfortable bus transportation.
The tour includes entry to Dover Castle, and you’ll have the option to add entry to Canterbury Cathedral. While in Canterbury, you could also opt to explore the town on your own instead. One thing to consider is that since this tour visits three different locations, you won’t have as much time in each place.
Leeds Castle, Canterbury, and White Cliffs Day Trip
One more day trip that includes a visit to Canterbury is this tour that also takes you to Leeds Castle and the White Cliffs of Dover. You’ll start by traveling by bus from London to Leeds Castle, 1.5 hours away. Here, you’ll have an included tour of the castle, which is often described as the prettiest in England.
Then you’ll drive another 35 minutes to Canterbury, where you’ll be able to visit the cathedral or explore the town. Finally, you’ll make a quick stop at the White Cliffs of Dover to admire the coastal views and snap some photos, before heading back to London, where you’ll arrive in time to enjoy your dinner plans.
Where to Stay in Canterbury
Although I just visited Canterbury on a day trip from London, I think this would make a lovely weekend getaway as well! Not only would you have more time to explore the town, but you could also use it as a base for exploring coastal destinations like the iconic Cliffs of Dover, which is just 25 minutes away.
Here are the best places to stay in Canterbury:
- Cathedral Gate: Historic pilgrim hotel overlooking Canterbury Cathedral with breakfast included
- The Hugo: Modern and stylish boutique accommodations in the heart of Canterbury
- Hampton by Hilton Canterbury: Comfortable, quality chain hotel in a great location
Although you don’t need to stay overnight here (Canterbury is small enough that you can see most of it on just a day trip!), it’s the perfect place to linger for a couple of days if you have the time.
How to Take a Day Trip to Canterbury
This guide showed you how to take a Canterbury day trip from London, England.
Canterbury is an amazing destination, and well worth a day (or more!) I really enjoyed my time in Canterbury and I’d to go back one day. It’s such a charming town filled with history around every corner. Come for the cathedral, but stay for the rest of the town — you won’t be disappointed by what you find.
Enjoy your visit to Canterbury!
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