Is it Worth Visiting Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover?

Canterbury Cathedral

Situated just 20 miles apart, Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover make for a popular day trip or weekend break from London. In just 1.5 hours by car, you can reach the Roman-walled city and experience the quintessential side of England before hiking along the quaint English coast to see one of the country’s most recognisable landscapes. 

It sounds idyllic but are Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover really worth visiting? The answer will depend on the person asking for everyone has their own preferences, but by getting to know the destinations better, it might be easier to answer this question. In this article, we highlight all of the reasons it might be worth visiting Canterbury including what to see and do in the city and the White Cliffs. This will give you a better idea of whether it might meet your individual trip preferences. Read on to find out whether Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover are worth visiting for you.

Why Visit Canterbury, Southeast England

From its historical setting to local pastimes, Canterbury promises to curb the craving for that delightful taste of quintessential England. Whilst the city is most famous for its status as the headquarters for the Church of England, it’s full of historic places ready to share their fascinating stories including the ‘Canterbury Tales’. The city’s rich sense of history and tradition is balanced with its thriving student culture which keeps it current with trendy bars, shops, and events. Read on to find out more about the reasons this small southeast city will have a big mark on your visit to England.

The Ancient Architecture

Few places in Britain have as much visible history as the city of Canterbury, leading to its proud status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The medieval city centre is distinguished by a web of cobbled lanes sandwiched by half-timbered houses that lean at a slightly worrying yet charming crooked angle. Meanwhile, Canterbury Cathedral stands proud as one of the country’s most architecturally and culturally significant Gothic buildings with some features dating as far back as its founding in 597 AD. 

Yet, Canterbury’s most striking piece of historical architecture will be spotted long before the cathedral or old market streets for the city is surrounded by one of the country’s few surviving Roman walls dating back to 270 AD. Believe it or not, these are just a few of the city’s impressive preserved historic buildings. An ancient castle, a Norman abbey, and the world’s oldest school can be found here too.

Historic streets of Canterbury

Its Religious Significance

One of Canterbury’s biggest draws is Canterbury Cathedral due to its privileged status as the headquarters of the Church of England. The cathedral was consecrated in 597 AD and although rebuilt several times, has always been one of the country’s foremost places of worship. Pilgrims have travelled here for centuries to find repentance in the highest order. Today, more people stand in the pews to simply admire its intimidating beauty and digest its palpable sense of history than for religious reasons. Yet, there is a strong religious community in the region and regular high-profile church events led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It's Quintessentially English

If you’re looking for all the aspects of quintessential England tightly packed in one delightful package then look no further than Canterbury. It has the Norman castle, the Gothic cathedral, and the quaint cobbled streets lined with medieval timber-framed buildings that have long been the cover photo for English tourism. In other words, it’s the picture-perfect English heritage destination. But there’s much more to the city’s quintessential charm than its looks; it has that traditional English lifestyle too. Think punting on the river, drinking pints at old pubs, and watching Shakespeare at the theatre. Home to a top-rated university, Canterbury will also give you a glimpse into English student life.

Shop, Eat, and Repeat

Canterbury may be filled with crooked timber frame houses and crumbling ruins but it's reputably cool and trendy too. Those medieval buildings once occupied by blacksmiths, shoemakers, and armorours are now occupied by artisanal boutiques, high-end brands, international restaurants and eclectic cafes and bars. Whitefriars shopping arcades are the place to go for department stores, fashion brands, and popular restaurants. Meanwhile, The King’s Mile, a place where women were once publicly caged for being too talkative is now better known for its exciting range of independent shops. Antique shops, artisanal goods and craft sellers, and boutiques are among them. 

The Perfect Location 

Situated at the heart of the southeast corner of England, Canterbury is within easy reach of all the region’s gems. Just a few miles to the north of Canterbury are a handful of typical English seaside towns including Whitstable, Margate, and Broadstairs where you can get a salty portion of fish and chips and go for a windy walk along the pier. To the south lies the Kent Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty traced with long country paths through fairytale woodlands dotted with country pubs along the way. Best of all, however, Canterbury is just 20 miles northeast of Dover, the scenic English port town famed for its unmistakable chalky White Cliffs and ruined Dover Castle. 

Barges in the English countryside

Top Things to Do in Canterbury and Southeast England

Canterbury Cathedral

As the focal point of the city, it’s hard not to at least stop and admire Canterbury Cathedral’s grandeur. However, the cathedral is much more than the impressive spires and stained glass windows of its exterior. Everything within and around this 1,400-year-old place of worship has a fascinating history and story behind it. On a tour of the cathedral and gardens, you can discover the origin of the cathedral’s most prized architecture and objects, uncover the mystery of its ancient graffiti, and learn about the monks who once lived here. Best of all, get access to the shrine of Thomas Beckett, the former archbishop who was killed by the king of England in the 12th century.

White Cliffs of Dover

The White Cliffs of Dover, whilst technically self-explanatory by name, cannot do justice to their majesty. Stretching for eight miles and reaching heights of 110 metres from sea level, the chalky White Cliffs are unique to the Dover coastline. Nowhere else on Earth has nature provided an eye-catching phenomenon like this. 

The cliffs can be seen when crossing the English Channel to France, but the best views are from the clifftops themselves. There are several trails along the White Cliffs of Dover coastline leading to particularly picturesque viewpoints of the cliffs trailing into the distance. While it’s possible to walk along the entire coastal stretch, the 1.5-hour out-and-back trail to South Foreland Lighthouse is enough to experience the breathtaking scenes. 

From Canterbury, the White Cliffs of Dover can be reached in just 30 minutes by road (20 miles), making it a staple addition to your Canterbury itinerary.

Kent Downs

Stretching from the outskirts of South London to the White Cliffs of Dover, Kent Downs is a huge Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Numerous hiking paths trail through the rolling landscape long and short including the North Downs Way, a 153-mile trail that can take up to two weeks to complete. Of course, it’s possible to join sections of the trail or one of the other shorter but equally beautiful routes. Along the way, expect to be greeted by many of the region’s best traditional English countryside scenes featuring quaint villages and local wildlife. You will also encounter many of Southeast England’s most enchanting castles and country manors including Leeds Castle, the former archbishop’s palace of Knowle, and Sir Winston Churchill’s former home, Chartwell.

Seaside Towns

Canterbury is almost surrounded by a coastline dotted with typical English seaside towns. Between the old piers, retro arcades, and fish and chip shops, these little seaside towns culminate a large part of English culture. Whilst there is much more to do there in the summer when the beach is warm enough to pitch up your umbrella, their seaside charm can be enjoyed year-round. With rainbow-coloured beach huts and a White Cliffs backdrop, Broadstairs is probably the prettiest seaside town to visit on your trip to southeast England. However, Margate and Whitstable are also worth a visit.

English Coast

Start Planning Your Journey to the UK & Ireland

If you think Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover would make a great addition to your UK vacation itinerary or would like to know a bit more before penciling it in, talk to our expert UK travel planners. Whether you’re considering a one-day tour of the region’s highlights or you’d like to organise an extended stay, our experts can arrange it for you. Contact a travel planner today and start your luxury journey to the UK and Ireland. Call us on +44 (0) 2045 781 580 (UK)/  1 (800) 707-5184 (USA) or send an inquiry here.