What's on in Canterbury

Events in and around Canterbury during the British Championships

This page shows some of the possibilities and is not intended as an exhaustive list. There are dozens of well presented websites with information about a whole range of diverse and fascinating things to do during the summer months. A short sample is provided at the bottom of this page.

Old Stagers at the Gulbekian Theatre

For their 159th season THE OLD STAGERS present 'Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime' 2nd - 7th August. The Old Stagers first performed in Canterbury in 1842 and have been presenting plays during Cricket Week every year (except during the two World Wars) ever since. This year’s production will mark the society’s 159th season.

The Gulbenkian Theatre is situated on the Canterbury campus (post code: CT2 7UG). From London take the A28 to Canterbury off the A2/M2. Continue up to a large roundabout and follow the signs to “The University”. When on campus, follow the signs to the Gulbenkian Theatre. Free parking after 5.00 pm.

Download the Old Stagers production leaflet (2 page PDF).

Canterbury Festival Cricket Week

Kent County Cricket Club are staging a number of fixtures, including the Canterbury Festival Cricket Week during the chess championships. It provides the attractive opportunity to play chess in a morning and watch first class cricket in the afternoon.

During the chess championships matches at Canterbury's St. Lawrence Ground include Kent Spitfires v Hampshire Royals - 1.45pm (25th July), July Kent v Essex - 11am (29th July), Kent v Somerset - 11am (3rd August) and Kent Spitfires v Leicester Foxes - 1.45pm (8th August). Click for details about the hours of play and for ticket purchase information click here.

More information is also available at http://www.kentccc.com

Wed 28 July 8.30pm, The Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury

The Funny Side Comedy Club nights take place once a month on Wednesdays in the Gulbenkian Café Bar. Come over to The Funny Side where each month Kevin Precious will introduce top acts from the London circuit to tickle your funny bones. Encore! Gulbenkian Advance Tickets £6, on the door £8. Book tickets. 

http://www.kent.ac.uk/gulbenkian/

Canterbury Cathedral

The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2EH Tel: 01227 762 862

Mother Church of the Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop. Dates back to 597AD. Stunning stained glass, 11th Century Crypt, 12th century Quire, 14th Century Nave. Click to see videos of the daily activities at this historic building.

http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Castle

Step into medieval Canterbury and accompany Geoffrey Chaucer and his colourful characters on their magical pilgrimage from London to the shrine of St Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. http://www.canterburytales.org.uk/

http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=218750

Eastbridge Hospital

Eastbridge Hospital, 25 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BD Tel: 01227 471 688

This medieval pilgrims' hospital with undercroft, two chapels and refectory, also includes the early 13th century painting of Christ in Glory.

http://www.eastbridgehospital.org.uk/

Greyfriars Chapel

6a Stour Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2NR Tel: 01227 462 395

Hidden away behind Greyfriars House in Stour Street is this 13th century building spanning the river Stour. It is the oldest Franciscan building in Britain and the sole remains of Greyfriars Friary.

http://search.visitbritain.com/en-TH/Details.aspx?ContentID=928089

Cockering Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1YW Tel: 01227 862 190

This beautiful ancient 45 hectare woodland was given to the City Council in 1932 by the then Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Alderman Frank Hooker in order that it should be reserved to the Public forever. The woodland has spectacular displays of wildflower including many species of orchid.

http://www.visitkent.co.uk/whats-on/thedms.asp?dms=13&nearby=1&GroupId=8&venue=3035769

Museum of Canterbury

http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=48

Canterbury Roman Museum

11a Butchery Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2JR,

The Roman Museum is underground at the level of the Roman town. It's an exciting mix of excavated real objects, authentic reconstructions and preserved remains of a Roman town house with its famous mosaics.  

http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=50

Rupert Bear Museum

Stour Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2NR Tel: 01227 452 747

Come and join Rupert and his Chums in their very own museum - full of adventure and surprises! Find out about his link to Canterbury, and take part in a fun-packed visit with lots to see and do.

http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=48

St Augustine's Abbey

Longport, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1PF Tel: 01227 767 345

Explore the ruins of the abbey founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, now part of Canterbury's World Heritage Site. The site also includes a fascinating museum with genuine artifacts and a free audio tour.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Augustine's_Abbey

St Martin's Church

North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1QJ Tel: 01227 453 469

St Martin's Church is the oldest in England still in use as a parish church and is part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site. This church was the first base of St Augustine when he came to Canterbury in 597.

St Mildred's Church

Church Lane, St. Mildred’s, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2PP Tel: 01227 462 395

Situated near Canterbury Castle and the only standing pre-Norman conquest church inside the city walls.

http://www.stpeters-stmildreds.org.uk/

 

Westgate Gardens

Westgate Grove, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BQ Tel: 01227 862 000

A beautiful landscaped garden by the River Stour adjacent to West Gate Towers. The 11 acres of public gardens were originally part of an estate and includes a famous plane tree, thought to be over 200 years old.

http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=3351

http://www.canterburygroups.co.uk/attractions/thedms.aspx?dms=13&GroupId=8&venue=3035770

 

 

City of Canterbury

Canterbury is Britain's closest city to continental Europe. There has been significant investment in recent years with the new multimillion-pound Whitefriars development providing a fantastic shopping experience in the city centre. All the major high street names can be found here. The city has a unique charm, with past and present sitting comfortably together and there are plenty of specialist shops, plus many restaurants, pubs and bars.

Culture

Canterbury is a cultural city with a strong focus on the arts. There are a number of galleries and the annual Canterbury Festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and Europe. The city is also home to the Marlowe Theatre (named after the playwright born here), which plays host to national touring productions of West End shows and attracts top artists from the worlds of dance, music, comedy, drama, ballet and opera. The theatre is undergoing a massive redevelopment to create the New Marlowe Theatre which will firmly position Canterbury as the place to go to enjoy a superb theatre experience.

History

Canterbury claims to have been permanently inhabited since pre-Roman times. Augustine established his first cathedral and abbey around AD 600, and in medieval times the city became a centre for pilgrimage to the shrine of St Thomas Becket, made famous by Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. In more recent times, the Treaty of Canterbury, which paved the way for the building of the Channel Tunnel, was signed in Canterbury Cathedral by Her Majesty the Queen and François Mitterand, the then President of France. The city’s medieval history is easy to see in its streets and buildings and of course the world-famous cathedral, which is the venue for the University’s degree ceremonies. The Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church make up a World Heritage Site.

Night life

Canterbury has lots to offer in terms of great night life. There is a brand new venue, Chill, which boasts a ‘five-star clubbing experience’ with booths available for hire, celebrity guests/ DJs and a unique mix of events. The Works, near Canterbury East station is a popular haunt for the young and young at heart and features the very best in old school classics and party, commercial R&B/Hip Hop and dance. Studio 41 is another favourite, with its 'Girls and Boys' night on Saturdays, unmissable theme nights and regular appearances by Invicta FM DJs. There are also plenty of traditional pubs and bars, including The Farmhouse which has live music nights and DJ sets.

Canterbury also hosts its own summer festival. Lounge on the Farm is rapidly becoming one of the ‘must do’ events of the year and has featured major artists such as the Super Furry Animals, The Coral, Alabama 3, Black Kids, New York Dolls plus DJ sets by Kevin Rowland and Terry Hall.

Other useful websites:

Canterbury City Council Online

http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=1430

Group Travel and Tourist Site for Canterbury

http://www.canterburygroups.co.uk/default.aspx

Canterbury Travel Guide

http://www.travel-library.com/europe/uk/england/canterbury/

Canterbury Country Houses

http://www.canterburycountryhouses.co.uk/

Things to do in Canterbury

http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/destinations/city-guides/canterbury/attractions.aspx

Take virtual tours of the Canterbury sights

http://www.vrcanterbury.co.uk/index.html

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