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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Canterbury

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Canterbury

Canterbury is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Sturry, 24km from White Cliffs of Dover.

Canterbury is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 55,087, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Canterbury sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Canterbury to your route.

About Canterbury

Canterbury ( KAN-tər-bər-ee or -⁠berr-ee) is a city and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Canterbury district, county of Kent, England; it was a county borough until 1974. Lying on the River Stour not far from its mouth on the Strait of Dover, the city has a mild oceanic climate. Canterbury is a popular tourist

Read more destination, with the city's economy heavily reliant upon tourism, alongside higher education and retail. As of 2011, the city's population was over 55,000, including a substantial number of students and one of the highest student-to-permanent-resident ratios in Britain. The site of the city has been occupied since Paleolithic times and served as the capital of the Celtic Cantiaci and Jute Kingdom of Kent. Many historical structures fill the area, including a city wall founded in Roman times and rebuilt in the 14th century, the Westgate Towers museum, the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey, the Norman Canterbury Castle, and the oldest extant school in the world, the King's School. Modern additions include the Marlowe Theatre and Kent County Cricket Club's St Lawrence Ground. Canterbury Cathedral is known for its architecture, its music, and for being the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury; it receives a million visitors per year.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Canterbury

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Canterbury?

Canterbury offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Canterbury?

Plan your road trip to Canterbury with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Canterbury as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Canterbury located?

Canterbury is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 51.2790 latitude, 1.0799 longitude.

What is the population of Canterbury?

Canterbury has a population of approximately 55,087 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
55,087
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
51.2790, 1.0799

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandTown

Worth the detour from Canterbury

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

tunnel

Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)

50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train

21 km · about 25 min drive

castle

Dover Castle

A medieval fortress overlooking the English Channel, known as the Key to England due to its strategic defensive significance.

24 km · about 25 min drive

natural wonder

White Cliffs of Dover

Iconic chalk cliffs reaching up to 110 meters high along the English Channel, symbolizing Britain for centuries.

24 km · about 30 min drive

castle

Leeds Castle

A castle on islands in a lake formed by the River Len in Kent, often called the loveliest castle in the world.

31 km · about 35 min drive

photogenic

Mermaid Street, Rye

Cobbled hill of half-timbered houses in the ancient Cinque Port of Rye, crowned by the 15th-century Mermaid Inn with its smuggling-era cellars. Houses carry names like 'The House with Two Front Doors'.

44 km · about 50 min drive

castle

Bodiam Castle

A 14th-century moated castle in East Sussex, renowned for its picturesque setting and well-preserved exterior.

48 km · about 55 min drive

cafe

Johnsons Cafe

A well-known biker cafe on the A127 in Essex, serving as a gathering point for London and Essex riders for generations.

51 km · about 60 min drive

racetrack

Brands Hatch Circuit

Legendary undulating British racing circuit in Kent hosting major motorsport events and offering car racing experiences.

57 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Canterbury

  • 21 kmChannel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train
  • 58 kmCap Gris-NezThe closest point in France to England, a windswept headland of cliffs, lighthouse and migrating birds.
  • 59 kmCap Blanc-NezDazzling white chalk cliffs on the Opal Coast with views across the Channel to England on clear days.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Canterbury.

Sturry

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 7,386

Blean

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 1,536

Bridge

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 1,576

Chartham

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 2,836

Littlebourne

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km awayPop. 1,529

Wingham

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

9 km awayPop. 1,303

Tankerton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 4,900

Barham

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 1,114

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence