Canterbury
Storybook cathedrals, wild gardens, river adventures and easy family fun
Highlights
Immerse yourselves in centuries of history exploring Canterbury Cathedral, its cloisters, crypt and peaceful gardens.
Glide along the River Stour on a guided punt, passing hidden gardens, overhanging trees and medieval walls.
Wander the grassy ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey and imagine life in one of England’s earliest monasteries.
Meet elephants, tigers and lemurs amid dense trees and foliage at Howletts Wild Animal Park.
Relax in Westgate Gardens and Franciscan Gardens, where trees, vines and flowers create a jungle‑like escape.
Take a day trip to the White Cliffs of Dover or Folkestone’s coastal park for sea views and windswept greenery.
Where to Stay
3 picks
ABode Canterbury
Stylish hotel in a historic building right on the High Street, with family rooms and a mix of wood, stone and soft furnishings that feels classic yet warm. It’s steps from the cathedral, river and most restaurants, so you can walk to nearly everything.
Castle House Hotel Canterbury
Small, characterful hotel near the Norman castle and city walls with leafy garden areas and family‑friendly rooms. The setting is quieter than the main High Street but still only about 10 minutes’ walk from the cathedral and river.
Cathedral Gate Hotel
Atmospheric inn literally by the cathedral gate, with timber beams, crooked corridors and views of the cathedral spires; family rooms available. The décor is historic and cosy, and you step straight out into the heart of the old city.
Where to Eat
8 picks
The Olive Grove Canterbury (Halal Mediterranean Grill)
Casual Mediterranean spot with a leafy, plant‑filled interior; order grilled chicken shish, lamb kofta, falafel platters and salads. Confirmed halal meats (no pork) and plenty of vegetarian options; ask staff to avoid alcohol in marinades and sauces.
Chapman’s Seafood Bar & Brasserie (Halal-friendly choices)
Seafood‑focused restaurant in a historic building with plants and wood accents; order vegetarian dishes, fish cooked without wine and simple grilled seafood. Specify no alcohol or pork and ask which mains can be prepared halal‑friendly (seafood and veg only).
Azouma Restaurant
Moroccan & Middle Eastern restaurant with lanterns, warm colours and greenery accents; order halal‑friendly tagines, couscous, grilled chicken and vegetarian mezze. Confirm halal meats (they advertise halal options) and request no alcohol in any sauces.
Howletts Wild Animal Park Picnic (Self‑Catered Halal)
Bring your own picnic of supermarket‑bought halal cold cuts, cheese, breads, fruits and snacks to eat at one of the park’s picnic areas under the trees. Choose pre‑packed items with halal certification from Canterbury supermarkets before you travel to the park.
Dover Picnic & Clifftop Snacks (Self‑Catered Halal)
Before boarding the train, stock up at Canterbury supermarkets on halal cold meats, cheese, fruit, crisps and sweets. Enjoy your picnic on the grass near the White Cliffs visitor centre or along the walking paths with sea views.
Moat Tea Rooms (Halal‑Friendly Vegetarian Focus)
Quirky, crooked tea room in a medieval building; in the evening or late afternoon, choose vegetarian sandwiches, soups, scones with jam and cream, and cakes. Stick to vegetarian items and ask staff to confirm no gelatine or alcohol‑based ingredients in desserts.
Pasha Mezze Bar
Turkish/Mediterranean mezze restaurant with warm woods and plant accents; choose vegetarian mezze like hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, grilled halloumi, plus any clearly halal‑labelled chicken or lamb dishes. Confirm halal meat with staff and avoid alcohol‑based sauces.
Canterbury Kebab & Pizza House
Simple takeaway/dine‑in kebab shop offering halal kebab meats, chicken, burgers and pizzas; confirm halal on arrival. For a final easy meal, grab chicken doner wraps, mixed grills or vegetarian pizzas and eat in or back at your accommodation.
What to Do
14 picks
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.
Westgate Gardens & Riverbank Walk
From Westgate Towers, follow the River Stour through Westgate Gardens: huge trees, lush lawns, flower beds and overhanging branches give it a jungle‑by‑the‑river feel. Kids can run on the grass, watch ducks and spot the Victorian Tower House among the greenery.
Canterbury Cathedral
Enter through Christ Church Gate and follow the signposted visitor route: towering nave, Thomas Becket’s martyrdom site, crypt and quiet cloisters. Spend time in the green cathedral gardens, where trees and stone arches create a peaceful, almost monastic jungle atmosphere.
Canterbury Roman Museum
Head underground to see real Roman mosaics, a recreated marketplace and artifacts from the Roman city. Interactive exhibits and dress‑up elements keep children engaged while you learn how Roman Canterbury was built.
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 & Greyfriars Gardens
Accessed via a small footbridge over the River Stour, this tiny 13th‑century chapel sits on an island surrounded by trees, ivy and quiet lawns. Let the children explore the little paths while you enjoy a peaceful spot that feels hidden and wild in the middle of town.
Dane John Gardens & City Walls Walk
Follow the path along the old city walls to Dane John Gardens, a green park with a central mound you can climb for views over the cathedral and tree‑tops. Kids can run on the lawns and explore the paths while you enjoy benches under mature trees.
Howletts Wild Animal Park
Take a short taxi or bus to this wildlife park set in woodland, home to elephants, gorillas, tigers, lemurs and more. Trails wind through trees and enclosures surrounded by thick foliage, and there are playgrounds where the kids can burn off energy.
St Augustine’s Abbey
Wander through the extensive grassy ruins of this early monastery, reading signs about the beginnings of Christianity in England. Kids can explore arches, low walls and open lawns, with trees and bushes around giving a slightly overgrown, adventurous feel.
St Martin’s Church & Wooded Lane
Walk about 15 minutes from the abbey to this very small, very old church, surrounded by trees and a peaceful churchyard. The lane up the hill feels semi‑rural with greenery, and the view back towards Canterbury is lovely on a clear day.
Franciscan Gardens
Step through the entrance on Stour Street into a walled garden of trees, flowerbeds, a small orchard area and quiet corners by the river. Follow meandering paths and wooden bridges that feel tucked away and lush compared to the busy streets outside.
Day Trip to Dover: White Cliffs & Castle Grounds
Take a direct train (~30 minutes) to Dover Priory, then bus or taxi to the White Cliffs visitor centre for clifftop walks with sea views and sweeping grasslands. Combine with a visit to Dover Castle’s grounds and battlements, which have wooded areas and lots of open green space.
Canterbury Norman Castle Ruins
Walk to the quiet ruins of Canterbury Castle, one of England’s oldest Norman castles, with remnants of high stone walls surrounded by grass and trees. Kids can imagine sieges and battles while you enjoy a short, atmospheric stop away from crowds.
Free Explore: St Peter’s Street & Guildhall Area
Wander around St Peter’s Street and the Guildhall area, browsing small shops, bookshops and local boutiques, and watching street performers if they’re around. Look for riverside viewpoints and small leafy corners where you can sit and review the week with the kids.
Good to Know
8 picks
Halal Food Strategy
In Canterbury, fully halal‑certified restaurants exist but are fewer than in London, so combine clearly halal places (Middle Eastern, Indian, kebab shops) with vegetarian and seafood choices in other restaurants. When in doubt, ask specifically if meat is halal, if any alcohol is used in marinades or sauces, and default to vegetarian or self‑catered picnics on day trips.
Getting Around Without Data
Canterbury is compact enough that you can navigate mostly by paper maps and on‑street signs. Before leaving your hotel, note key walking routes on a paper map and ask reception to mark your day’s destinations; trains display destinations clearly, and staff can confirm platforms if you’re unsure.
Family‑Friendly Daily Rhythm
Plan one ‘big’ sight each morning (cathedral, abbey, animal park, cliffs) and keep afternoons lighter with gardens, river walks or free exploration. Aim to be back near your accommodation by early evening for dinner so the kids can unwind without late‑night transfers.
Weather‑Smart Packing
Kent’s weather can swing from sun to drizzle quickly; pack thin layers, light waterproofs and quick‑dry clothes for the whole family. A small daypack with a foldable rain jacket per person makes it easy to stay comfortable without carrying heavy coats.
Saving on Tickets
Check each attraction’s website or leaflet racks for family tickets, which often cover two adults and two children at a discount. If you plan to visit more English Heritage or similar sites, ask staff whether a short‑term pass or membership would pay off for your family.
Toilets, Prayer and Quiet Spaces
Larger attractions like Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, Howletts and Dover Castle have toilets and quiet corners where you can take a short break to pray discreetly. Carry a small travel mat or scarf and use green spaces or quiet corners at set times instead of rushing back to your hotel.
Cash, Cards and Tipping
Card is accepted almost everywhere in Canterbury, but keep some small notes and coins for buses, small attractions and ice creams. In casual restaurants, tipping 10% for good service is appreciated; for takeaways and counters, rounding up or leaving small change is plenty.
Kid Engagement Tricks
Give each child a simple ‘mission’ at sites—count animal species at Howletts, spot carved animals in cathedral stonework, or sketch their favourite building. Let them choose one small activity or snack each day to keep them invested and excited.
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