Canterbury Walking Tour: Medieval Cathedral & Heritage Sites
Two hours through a thousand years of English history, from Roman walls to Gothic stone.
A private walking tour of Canterbury led by a local guide for two hours, covering the Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, St Martin's Church and the medieval city centre. You'll walk the Roman walls that still encircle the old town, pass through narrow alleyways lined with timber-framed houses, and learn how the city shaped English religious and political history from the Anglo-Saxon period through the English Civil War and beyond.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Canterbury's historic sites
- Visit Canterbury Cathedral
- See St Thomas' of Canterbury RC Church
- Explore St Augustine's Abbey
- Visit St Martin's Church
- View the Clocktower Building
- Walk through Dane John Gardens
- See Canterbury Castle
- Learn about Canterbury's history
What’s included
- A private guided tour with a local guide who stays with your group only.
- two hours of walking through Canterbury's medieval centre, Roman walls, alleyways and riverside gardens.
- the guide's knowledge of the city's history from prehistoric times through the Second World War.
- the option to customize the route and pacing with your guide on the day.
- Every day 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00
Information
Two-hour private walking tour of Canterbury with a local guide covering the Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey.
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The experience
Canterbury's story starts long before the Cathedral. The tour traces the city from its prehistoric settlement through the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon periods, the Black Death, the Hundred Years' War, and the Dissolution of the Monasteries: each layer visible in the streets themselves. The Roman walls that ring the medieval centre are still standing, and you'll walk them alongside the guide, who can point out how the city rebuilt itself after the English Civil War and the bombing of the Second World War. The narrow alleyways and timber-framed houses you pass through are not reconstructions. They're the actual medieval street plan, largely unchanged.
The Cathedral is the anchor, but the tour also takes in St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church, both part of the World Heritage Site that recognizes Canterbury's place in English Christianity. You'll see the Clocktower Building, Dane John Gardens, and views of Canterbury Castle. The guide can adjust the route and pacing on the spot to match your interests. If you want more time at one stop or less at another, that's possible within the two-hour window.
Two hours is enough to cover the main sites without rushing, but not so long that the day disappears into one tour. The guide speaks English and stays with your group only, so the pace and focus are yours to shape.
Top questions
What period of Canterbury's history does the tour cover?
The tour spans from prehistoric times through the Second World War, including the Anglo-Saxon settlement, the Black Death, the Hundred Years' War, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the English Civil War and the Battle of Maidstone. The guide explains how each period left its mark on the city's layout and buildings.
Will I see Canterbury Cathedral on this tour?
Yes, Canterbury Cathedral is a main stop on the tour. You'll see the building itself and learn about its role as the headquarters of the Church of England and its Gothic and Romanesque architecture, though entrance fees to go inside are separate.
What are St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church?
Both are part of Canterbury's World Heritage Site. St Augustine's Abbey was founded in 597 and is one of the oldest monasteries in England. St Martin's Church is one of the oldest parish churches in continuous use in the country. The tour includes views and context for both.
Can the guide change the route if I'm interested in particular sites?
Yes, the guide can customize the tour on the spot based on your interests, so you can spend more time at sites that matter to you and adjust the stops within the two-hour window.
Do I need to enter the Cathedral or the Abbey to do this tour?
No, the tour is a walking tour of the city and its exteriors. Entrance fees to go inside buildings are not included, so you see the sites from outside and learn their history from the guide.
Operated by Global Guide Services. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Canterbury Walking Tour: Medieval Cathedral & Heritage Sites
2h · EN
from £ 272 per group
≈ US$ 359 in your currency
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