How could I resist sneaking in a Chaucer based blog title? Think yourself lucky because it was nearly a nod to our housesitting with the title “Canterbury Tails“. For me there will always be a link to my studies oh so many years ago when I studied some of the work of Chaucer for my GCE O Level English Literature and I will never forget pouring over the text for hours making hundreds of pencil notes on each page in an attempt to translate the 14th century middle English poetry.
If the authentic streets of Canterbury are not enough to immerse you in medieval England then you can pay a tidy sum (£10.95) to visit The Canterbury Tales experience to savour the sights, sounds and even smells in a theatrical experience. With so much to see in and around Canterbury and beautiful weather, why would we?
Our Photo Diary
With so much history each way you turn, I have a strategy to limit the amount I bombard you with historic facts. So this will be mostly a photo blog with just a little bit of blurb on each location.
A Walled City – The city walls of flint and ragstone were built by the Romans. Over half of the walls still remain and give a birds eye view of the city below and Dane John Mound. This mound was originally a Roman burial ground and then the location of a Norman castle.
Street Life
To give you a bit of a flavour of the city here is what waits for you within the walls.
Punting on the River Stour – Cambridge is not the only university town where you can go punting. There are a couple of locations where you can book up for a guided trip along the waterways.
Walk through the Gardens
On our wanderings, we walked through the beautiful Westgate Gardens (with Tower House – originally one of the towers in the city wall), Greyfriars Gardens and perhaps the most interesting Lady Wootton’s Gardens which were originally a pathway that provided a link from within the city walls to St Martin’s Church and St Augustine’s Abbey. A little off the beaten track this tiny garden had statues of the one of the first Kings of Kent, Ethelbert.
Historic Buildings of Canterbury
Where do we start with this? There are so many but there are just a few of the highlights.
….and now for a few random photos
Canterbury Tales
That brings me to the end of my tales of Canterbury. Having lived in Kent for many years we had visited before quite a few times but there is always something new to find in this gem of the Garden of England and with all this on offer it still surprises me that it is not the County Town of Kent.
18/08 – 25/08/2019
I think I have been to Canterbury Cathedral, but i’m beginning to wonder if I’m right because I don’t recognise the town at all! It looks very picturesque.
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It is a lovely town and some of the hidden places are not on the beaten track.
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Gorgeous part of the country.
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There are still these gems in even the busiest part of England.
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It all looks so pretty. We have yet to visit this part of England and it is definitely on the list.
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You won’t be disappointed.
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Knowing both Maidstone and Canterbury, I am also surprised Canterbury is not the county town. It should be!
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Seems crazy doesn’t it?
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Madness indeed.
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I’ve never been to Canterbury, but you’ve made sure that I add to my list! Beautiful photographs, the cathedral looks just amazing!
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It is well worth a visit….
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Nice blog Jo. I have no idea how many times I’ve been to Canterbury but it’s mostly been for shopping, a bit of work, cricket or beers and I’ve been guilty of not paying enough attention to all of the history. Its all too easy to forget how important a city Canterbury was although I doubt if the medieval visitor ever encountered a traditional Hare Krishna procession! You’ll have to tell me the name of the pub so that I don’t embarrass myself by trying to get in.
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Shame on you! It’s right on your doorstep. Drop the shopping and get exploring before heading to an evening 20/20.
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Beautifully done, Jo! I spent a wintry afternoon there once and didn’t manage to see half so much. 🙂 🙂 I’ve included this on Monday. Hope you won’t mind.
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No that’s great. Anything to spread the word of all things Canterbury. Especially as you can go further afield along the Pilgrims Way x
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A beautifu post, Joanna! 😀 I love your presentation style of the photos and the snippets of information … although I’ve visited this lovely town, I’ve learnt lots more from your post today. Next time I’m down, I’ll make sure to head to The Yarrow!
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Thanks for all the positive comments. It is nice to know the post reflects what we saw without an overwhelming amount of facts.
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I’ve never been to Canterbury but it looks beautiful from your photos! Another place to add to my ever-growing UK bucket list!
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Perhaps you need two buckets?
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I think you may be right!!
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Picture postcard perfect and utterly gorgeous.
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It certainly is!
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Great pictures Jo👍 I’ve never been to Canterbury but it looks like it’s well worth a visit. There is lots to see😊
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So much to see and not to far from London or the coast.
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