On this 90-minute walking tour, you'll get the opportunity to explore the streets of Canterbury on foot. Along the way, your guide will share stories and facts about the city's history, landmarks and famous figures as you walk along its medieval lanes. A highlight of the tour will be a visit to the Canterbury Cathedral's precincts and grounds.
Canterbury Guided Tours provide entertaining 90-minute tours for visitors to the historic city of Canterbury. From medieval lanes and pilgrim inns to the majestic Cathedral's Precincts, our tours will transport you back in time, regaling you with stories and revealing how the city has evolved over the years.
Founded in 1948, Canterbury Tourist Guides Ltd is an independent company devoted to conducting guided walking tours of the highest quality in Canterbury. Our tours are the official tours of the city, and the only tours to include access to the magnificent Cathedral's Precincts.
All our guides hold city Green Badges, having completed the accredited training course and passed the relevant examinations set by the Institute of Tourist Guiding.
Experience Canterbury’s unique history from a different angle on one of our guided river tours. Sit back and relax as our tour guides take you under the King’s Bridge, one of the oldest working road bridges in Britain, up towards the hidden serenity of the Greyfriars’ Island, once the home to the Franciscans, one of Canterbury’s many religious orders.
As you journey back downstream, you pass by sites such as the sixteenth century Old Weavers’ House as well as our replica ducking stool, an infamous part of England’s long and turbulent history.
Past the Marlowe Theatre, the newest addition to Canterbury’s skyline, you are treated to such views as the old Blackfriars’ Monastery, now a proud extension to the prestigious King’s School, which connects onto the scenic and quiet Solly’s Orchard.Join us for our award winning tour of Canterbury. Each boat is chauffeured by one of our team, who acts as your guide to the sights upon the river by giving you the enjoyable history of all the different buildings that you pass along the way.
Four knights walked into Canterbury Cathedral one December evening — not to pray, but to murder an archbishop. This app-based self-guided walking tour takes you through the city shaped by that single act, passing by all three UNESCO World Heritage sites and the medieval streets that connect them.
From the spot where Becket fell to the oldest church still in use in the English-speaking world, you'll follow stories of refugee weavers and a poet who wrote one of England's greatest work of literature and died penniless. Fifteen stops over four kilometres, narrated at your own pace — no fixed start time, no group to follow.
If you'd rather pause for a riverside lunch than rush between landmarks, this self-guided Canterbury walking tour fits your day, not the other way around. It is perfect for those trying to figure out what to do in Canterbury apart from visiting the cathedral.
Over 20,000 travellers have used our self-guided tours, and a full refund guarantee means nothing to lose.
Learn to cook classic Indian dishes in a relaxed and enjoyable environment, perfect for both beginners and home-cooking enthusiasts.
You’ll be guided by chefs who are passionate about authentic Indian cuisine and sharing the traditional techniques behind it.
You’ll use fresh, seasonal ingredients wherever possible to create dishes that are bursting with flavour.
Each recipe comes with a cultural backstory, giving you an appreciation of its origin and how it has evolved over time.
No specialist equipment is needed—everything you learn can be easily replicated in your own kitchen.
You’ll also take home printed recipe cards so you can impress friends and family with your new skills.
Vegetarian options are available on request.
Please notify us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
Howletts, located near Canterbury, is a truly unique wildlife park dedicated to conservation and the preservation of endangered species. Home to the UK's largest herd of African elephants, it's the only place in Kent where visitors can enjoy such an extraordinary experience. Stroll through the park to encounter gorillas, tigers, and a host of other incredible animals while supporting vital global conservation efforts. With picturesque grounds, immersive exhibits, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, Howletts offers a day out that's not only entertaining but also deeply meaningful for nature lovers of all ages.
All our trips take you upriver through Westgate gardens, where there are many ducks and moorhens (they are quite partial to meal worms). Then, we navigate a maze of drooping Willow fronds before passing into an area known as the Hambrook Marshes.
For such a short distance from the city centre it sometimes feels like the middle of nowhere. You can relax and listen to the gentle splosh of the pole as it pushes the boat out to an old Victorian railway bridge with a very interesting reverberant characteristic. Gaze upriver into the Kentish countryside for a little while before we bring you back past Bingley island, where the Roman canal begins and the waterway becomes very narrow.
And it was nice of the Romans to dig us a canal because it means you get to go a different way on the return journey. On this route, we take you under a much smaller, but also much prettier little bridge, known to us as the fairy bridge. There are often kingfishers in this area and the ducks come here to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Do you want to get off the usual tourist trails and discover the very best that Canterbury and the Kent countryside can offer? Would you like to be part of a small, exclusive group which is lead by a local guide with a History PhD from Cambridge? Have you got limited time with only just a morning or afternoon available?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, this carefully crafted minibus and walking tour is just for you!
Lead by local Canterbury resident, Dr Anthony Medhurst, you will discover the most fascinating, historic and beautiful locations many of which are not accessed by large tour groups. This relaxed and informative tour gives you the chance to experience the real and authentic Kent. It enables high levels of inter-action with your guide, as well as the flexibility to spend more time in locations which are most meaningful to you. Avoid the crowds and join a small group for a fun and inspirational experience!
Come with us and delve into the rich history of Canterbury and explore this amazing city with CT Tours. With your dedicated and accredited tour guide, you will experience over 2000 years of Canterbury's history.
With something for everybody, from accounts of ancient settlers to medieval murder and martyrdom, before stories of the many famous historical figures, artists and notable locals round up Canterbury's story right up to the present day!
Lovely when you have friends or family visiting, great with refreshments too!
After taking you through the Westgate Gardens and under the gentle willow trees we go beyond Hambrook Marshes and the Victorian railway bridge into the Whitehall meadows.
The river really opens up out here. If you are lucky you may see the local cormorants catch an eel, or dry themselves off high up in their tree.
On the return, we take you around Bingley island, under the fairy bridge where kingfishers are often seen.
Glide peacefully through Canterbury
As with all our trips we begin by taking you upriver through the Westgate Gardens with its impressive, church and towers and quite special collection of trees. For a little time you may feel you have left the city completely before we bring you back downstream through the site of the old tannery, Canterbury’s former major industry.
There are numerous sites of historical interest along the Stour in Canterbury, but in keeping with our local, somewhat rural aesthetic, much of the river bank is wild and untamed. We will show you the Greyfriars island, with its medieval priory, then we pass under the high street itself and emerge from an old Tudor tunnel in one of Canterbury’s most picturesque locations.
This carefully crafted walking tour has been specially developed for visitors who want a quick introduction to the very best that the city has to offer before exploring sites in more detail. If so, this is the tour for you! Lead by Canterbury resident and Cambridge PhD, Dr Anthony Medhurst, you will discover the most fascinating, historic and beautiful locations within the city's historic walls - all within one hour.
Our condensed (but content packed!) 60 minute walking tours are perfect for those on a brief visit to Canterbury, but still looking for an introduction to all of the history and culture Canterbury has to offer.
Come with us and explore the rich history of this amazing city with CT Tours. With your dedicated and accredited tour guide, you will experience over 2000 years of Canterbury's history from ancient settlers to the present day!
Explore the Kentish Coast your way with this online guidebook, illustrating a scenic 86-mile (139 km) point-to-point trip across 17 destinations from Canterbury and Whitstable, Thanet Coast, Dover and beyond, across three sections. Each covering classic destinations, coast & hidden gems—visit the places you choose.
WHAT TO EXPECT
• This online plan is ready to browse and get inspired – use at home or on your phone on the go.
• An overarching plan to shape your multi-destination holiday, with sample itineraries, for your timeframe from 3 to 14 days.
• Inspire your trip, with places to go, where to stay, plus directions/parking etc.
• Note: the guide itself is not customisable. However, each route includes our own pre-populated Google Maps with pins, plus customisable directions by section on Google Maps.
Get started today with instant access (choose the nearest date as with 1 year’s access, there’s no need to wait until your travel date). Use on smartphone, tablet, or desktop.
Explore the enchanting city of Canterbury while indulging in its culinary delights. This food tour takes you on a flavourful journey through historic streets, tasting local specialties and learning about the rich food heritage of the area. Perfect for food lovers and those looking to experience Canterbury's vibrant culture, the tour offers a delightful midday escape. Enjoy expert guidance as you sample dishes that reflect the essence of this charming city.
- Lunchtime tours run Thursdays from 12-3 PM
- Experience Canterbury’s history through its food scene
- Perfect for food enthusiasts and cultural explorers
- Guided by knowledgeable locals with insights into the culinary landscape
