Perched high above the famous White Cliffs, Dover Castle — known as The key to England — has shaped the defence of the realm for over nine centuries. As you explore the castle, you'll see one of Europe’s best-preserved Roman lighthouses and climb the towering keep for wide views across the Channel. The recently refurbished Admiralty Lookout explains the techniques used to detect enemy ships and even lets you try your hand at Morse code. Along the way, the atmospheric medieval underground tunnels and the siege experience of 1216 give a sense of what it may have been like to be a soldier under siege.
Inside the Great Tower you’ll find a vivid recreation of a medieval royal palace. Begin with the introductory exhibition, then follow lifelike hologram figures of King Henry II and his courtiers through private chambers, guest rooms, the great hall, kitchen and armoury. Deep in the White Cliffs, the secret wartime tunnels bring the castle’s 20th-century story to life with sights, sounds and Pathe news clips. You’ll walk through the rooms where Sir Admiral Ramsay planned the “miracle of Dunkirk”, tour the underground hospital and follow the story of a wounded wartime pilot.
Duration: 2 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.7 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews
On this 90-minute tour, you’ll get the opportunity to explore the streets of Canterbury on foot. As you walk along the medieval lanes, you can gain insights into the city as your guide shares stories and facts about Canterbury’s history, landmarks and famous figures.
A highlight of the tour will be a visit to the Canterbury Cathedral's precincts and grounds.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 304 reviews
This riverside trip takes you upriver through Westgate Gardens, where there are many ducks and moorhens that are quite partial to meal worms. You move through a maze of drooping willow fronds and into Hambrook Marshes. For such a short distance from the city centre it can feel like the middle of nowhere. You can relax and listen to the gentle splosh of the pole as it pushes the boat beneath an old Victorian railway bridge, whose reverberant quality gives a distinctive echo. Along the way you can gaze upriver into the Kentish countryside.
On the return you pass Bingley Island, where the Roman canal begins and the waterway becomes very narrow, which lets you follow a different route back. This route takes you under a much smaller, prettier span known as the fairy bridge. There are often kingfishers in this area, and the quieter backwaters attract ducks seeking to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 21 reviews
On this guided walk through the historic city of Canterbury, you will follow medieval lanes, pass former pilgrim inns and enter the Cathedral's Precincts. As you move through the streets, the guide will share stories and point out how the city has evolved over the years. These are the official tours of the city, and the only ones that include access to the magnificent Cathedral's Precincts.
Founded in 1948, Canterbury Tourist Guides Ltd is an independent company devoted to providing high-quality guided walking tours of Canterbury. Your guide will hold a city Green Badge, having completed the accredited training course and passed the examinations set by the Institute of Tourist Guiding.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 134 reviews
An app-based self-guided walking tour will take you through Canterbury’s historic centre, with Canterbury Cathedral named early in the route. You’ll move through the medieval streets shaped by a dramatic moment in history — the spot where Becket fell — and pass all three UNESCO World Heritage sites linked by those streets. Along the way you’ll reach the oldest church still in use in the English-speaking world and other landmarks that tell the city’s story.
The tour includes 15 stops spread over four kilometres, each stop narrated so you can explore at your own pace. As you move through the city, you’ll hear about refugee weavers and a poet who wrote one of England’s greatest works of literature and died penniless. There’s no fixed start time and no group to follow, so you may pause for a riverside lunch or linger where you like. More than 20,000 travellers have used these self-guided tours, and a full refund guarantee is offered, so you can try the route without risk.
Duration: 1 hour - 2 hours
User reviews, Very good, 4.1 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews
At Howletts, near Canterbury, you will visit a wildlife park focused on conservation and the preservation of endangered species. The park is home to the UK's largest herd of African elephants, and it's the only place in Kent where you can enjoy that particular experience. The grounds are picturesque and the displays are designed to be immersive, so you will move through well-kept habitats as you explore.
As you stroll around, you will encounter gorillas, tigers and a host of other remarkable animals. Along the way you may learn about the park’s work to support global conservation efforts. The combination of close-up animal viewing, landscaped grounds and informative exhibits will make for a meaningful day out for nature lovers of all ages.
Duration: 2 hours - 6 hours
User reviews, Very good, 4.3 out of 5 stars from 25 reviews
You will start by travelling upriver through the Westgate Gardens, where an impressive church and towers sit among a notable collection of trees. For a little time you may feel you have left the city completely as the river narrows and the surroundings take on a quieter, more rural character.
As you move along the River Stour in Canterbury, you will pass numerous sites of historical interest while much of the riverbank remains wild and untamed. You will see Greyfriars island with its medieval priory, then glide beneath the High Street itself and emerge from an old Tudor tunnel into one of Canterbury’s most picturesque locations. Along the way the route will also bring you downstream past the site of the old tannery, once Canterbury’s major industry, giving a sense of the city’s changing riverside history.
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews
At Port Lympne you'll explore a 600-acre reserve in Kent where endangered animals roam freely, creating a safari-style experience close to home. As you move through the site, you may have up-close encounters with iconic species such as rhinos and giraffes. Along the way you’ll also enjoy wide views across the reserve, including occasional vistas of the English Channel.
The grounds include lush gardens to wander and areas designed for families, with activities that encourage curiosity and learning about the animals and their habitats. You’ll meet animals face-to-face in settings that aim to bring you closer to conservation work and the species it supports. Overall, the visit is a mix of wildlife viewing, relaxed walks and family-friendly moments that make for memorable time spent outdoors.
Duration: 1 hour - 7 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review
This short river trip takes you upriver through Westgate Gardens, where you will pass many ducks and moorhens that are often partial to meal worms. The boat threads its way through a maze of drooping willow fronds before entering Hambrook Marshes. Although this stretch is close to 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 and notice the distinctive reverberant sound as you pass beneath an old Victorian railway bridge.
As you gaze upriver into the Kentish countryside, the route will bring you back past Bingley Island, where the Roman canal begins and the waterway becomes very narrow. Because the Romans dug the canal, you get to return by a different path, taking you under a much smaller, prettier little span known locally as the fairy bridge. Kingfishers are often seen in this area, and the ducks use the quieter waters here to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review
This experience begins in Canterbury and is the only minibus tour that sets off from the city centre. Led by Dr Anthony Medhurst, a local guide with a History PhD from Cambridge, the tour combines minibus travel with short walks so you can see a variety of Kent landscapes and places that larger groups rarely reach.
Along the way you'll visit quintessentially English villages, see castles and rolling countryside, and take in coastal scenes that look like they came straight out of a movie. As you move between locations by minibus and explore on foot at key spots, Dr Medhurst will share local history and insights drawn from his academic background and upbringing in the area. The route focuses on Kent’s hidden gems, giving you a picture of traditional English life alongside the region’s historic sites and scenic views.
Duration: 3 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews
This guided walk with CT Tours will introduce you to the rich history of Canterbury. With a dedicated, accredited tour guide, you will explore more than 2,000 years of the city's past. The commentary will be clear and engaging, suitable whether you have a passing interest or a deeper curiosity about local history.
As you move through Canterbury, your guide will bring to life tales from the time of ancient settlers and take you into darker chapters such as medieval murder and martyrdom. Along the way, you will hear about many of the famous historical figures, artists and notable locals who have shaped the city. These stories will be linked together so Canterbury’s development is easy to follow, right up to the present day.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.7 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews
On this gentle riverside trip through Canterbury, you'll travel upriver through the Westgate Gardens, passing an impressive church and towers and a quite special collection of trees. For a little time you may feel you have left the city completely, before you come back downstream through the site of the old tannery, once Canterbury’s major industry.
Along the Stour you will pass numerous sites of historical interest, but much of the river bank remains wild and untamed, reflecting a local, somewhat rural aesthetic. You will see Greyfriars Island with its medieval priory, pass beneath the high street itself and emerge from an old Tudor tunnel into one of Canterbury’s most picturesque spots.
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review
This carefully crafted walking tour offers a quick introduction to the best of Canterbury. It has been developed for visitors who want an overview of the city before exploring sites in more detail. Led by Canterbury resident and Cambridge PhD Dr Anthony Medhurst, the tour takes you on a guided walk through the area within the city's historic walls.
As you move through the streets, you will encounter some of the most fascinating, historic and beautiful locations the city has to offer. Along the way, Dr Medhurst will share local insight and historical context that help bring the sites to life. The pacing is designed to give you a clear sense of the city’s highlights and to point out places you may wish to return to and explore further.
Duration: 1 hour
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews
Join CT Tours for a condensed, content-packed walking tour of Canterbury that gives you a clear introduction to the city's history and culture. With a dedicated, accredited guide, you will explore more than 2,000 years of local history, from the earliest settlers through medieval times to the present day. The pace is designed for visitors with limited time who still want a meaningful overview.
As you move through Canterbury, your guide will bring the past to life with stories and context. You will learn how the city developed across the ages, hear about significant events and people, and see how ancient and modern elements sit side by side. Along the way, your guide will point out key sites and explain the cultural threads that shape Canterbury today, giving you a rounded sense of place and history. This tour is ideal if you want a compact, informative introduction before you explore further on your own.
Duration: 1 hour
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews
Learn classic French cooking techniques with a classically trained tutor, James, in a relaxed and friendly class. The course moves from bistro-style starters to richer, more classical dishes, using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. As you move through the session, you'll see demonstrations and follow clear recipes designed to help you understand traditional methods and flavour combinations.
You’ll practise hands-on skills in pairs, working from a recipe pack that you can refer to later. Along the way, the atmosphere stays social and interactive so you can ask questions and share tips with others. At the end, you’ll enjoy a cooked lunch together, weather permitting in the cobbled courtyard. The session suits all abilities and aims to give you the confidence to recreate Parisian flavours at home while keeping the experience friendly and engaging.