Canterbury Overview
Canterbury is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK and this is mainly due to the Canterbury Cathedral. The cathedral is the home of the Arch Bishop of Canterbury and is the main base for the Church of England. Built in 1070 the church has been an iconic piece of architecture situated in the centre of the city, you are able to visit the cathedral and have guided tours which you will learn all about the history of the cathedral and see the beautiful stained glass. Canterbury has the highest student population in the UK and is the home to three separate universities and several other colleges and educational institutions. There are several theatres to choose from with a plethora of productions and touring theatre companies, at the Playhouse you are able to join youth groups which will help you learn new skills and enhance your acting ability.
Things to do in Canterbury
There are several places in which to go shopping in the city, the main shopping centre is WhiteFriars which has well over 70 shops ranging from fashion to home and lifestyle. Near the shopping centre is the Goods Shed which is an indoor food market that is home to twelve independent drink and food traders as well as the fantastic Rafael’s Restaurant. Similarly, to the indoor market there is a Produce and Craft market in which local people make food and very unique objects which makes it a perfect place to try something new. In order to learn more about the city you will be living in you are able to join guided walking tours of the city in which you will learn all about the history and heritage of the city, you are able to get the tours for as little as £6. There are also Canterbury ghost tours which are brilliant for those of you who enjoy learning about the mysteries and tales of the dead, as well as the famous murders and where they happened.
Sport in Canterbury
There are 11 leisure centres in and around Canterbury and all of them offer a wide range of facilities, most have swimming pools and all have gyms which will help you stay healthy whilst studying at university. There are several free to use tennis courts dotted around the city. You may also want to try your hand at clay pigeon shooting.
Escape Canterbury
Just over 30-minutes’ drive away is Dover, from Dover you are able to get a ferry across the English Channel to two different places in France; Dunkirk or Calais. Roughly a 40-minute drive south will get you to the Eurotunnel which will also get you to Calais in France. If you head north-east from the city you will come to Margate, Margate is a seaside town with a pier and small beach making it the perfect place to spend the day in the summer.
Transport in Canterbury
Canterbury is only a 15-minute drive away from the national motorway network, the M20 connects this part of the country to the M25 which you can access most motorways from. You are able to get a direct train to London that takes just over an hour and a half. There are several airports near Canterbury which makes it perfect for international students who have family coming to see them or if they would like to go home during school holidays.
