Pilgrims and Pit Stops: A Canterbury Trail

(83 reviews)

Canterbury audio tour: Pilgrims and Pit Stops: A Canterbury Trail

This is a 1.2mi walking tour

It takes an average of 75 mins to complete.

Canterbury

The United Kingdom

$7.99

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About the Tour

Canterbury has been a hubbub of people coming and going for centuries—from medieval pilgrims to modern tourists. On this walking tour, you'll follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims from Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', discovering the city's fascinating history, unique architecture, and delicious food and drink spots along the way. You'll uncover stories of martyrs and monarchs while exploring Canterbury's charming medieval streets.

The tour begins at St. Dunstan's Church, where the severed head of Thomas More was buried and where Henry II began his own pilgrimage of penance for the murder of Thomas Becket. You'll weave through ancient gateways and down narrow lanes, past timber-framed buildings with fascinating histories like the House of Agnes, which appears in Dickens' 'David Copperfield.' Along the way, you'll discover how Canterbury became England's number one pilgrimage destination after Becket's murder in 1170.

You'll learn about the Flemish weavers who transformed the city's industry, see the spot where Queen Elizabeth I allegedly spent her 40th birthday, and view the Christchurch Gate with its hidden secrets. The tour takes you through the charming King's Mile with its independent boutiques and past quirky historical gems like the fascinatingly crooked Sir John Boys House. The tour ends near the Seven Stars pub, perfectly positioned for you to continue exploring the city center or revisit any of the tempting food stops mentioned during the walk.

On this 75-minute tour, you'll have a chance to:

Visit the magnificent Westgate Towers, England's largest surviving medieval city gateway
Discover the ducking stool at King's Bridge where accused witches faced a deadly no-win situation
Spot the cheeky hermaphrodite figure hidden on Canterbury Cathedral's entrance gate
Explore Greyfriars Chapel and the tranquil gardens along the River Stour
Learn about Christopher Marlowe, Canterbury's controversial playwright who was potentially a spy and mysteriously murdered
See the remnants of Abbot's Mill, which burned biblically for seven days and seven nights
Admire the Crooked House, a wonky building that seems to defy gravity
Enjoy recommendations for the best places to eat and drink, from Mexican cuisine at Café des Amis to cocktails at Bramley's speakeasy

Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or simply looking to explore one of England's most charming cities, this tour offers a perfect blend of the sacred and savory sides of Canterbury.

Tour Producer

Tessa Dagley

1 tour

I work in education, and spend most of my spare time chatting about history and/or food - and aspiring to marry the two. l love old photographs, even older buildings, silly facts and random music playlists. My favourite kind of day is when I put on my trainers and rucksack, and set off aimlessly to explore the lesser-known corners of a city.

I now divide my time between the UK and Sweden. I always feel a sense of stability and reassurance when pacing down the hill towards the small but vibrant centre of Canterbury, my home town. I am there at least four times a year. But I've also grown to love the space and light of Stockholm: there's nothing like a cycle along the water in this unique capital city to wake me up in the morning!

I feel lucky to live in two very different yet equally beautiful places.

Preview Location

Location 13

King's Bridge, Eastbridge and Old Weavers

Just ahead of the Tudor style Old Weaver's House on your left is Kings Bridge. Walk over to the left side and look down the river.

Can you see a black beam jutting out over the water?

This is Canterbury’s ducking stool. Women who talked too much were humiliated here. An... Read More

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Major Landmarks

St Dunstan's Church, Canterbury
Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint
Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr, Canterbury
Christchurch Gate
The Marlowe Theatre

Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
80 London Rd, Canterbury CT2 8LS, UK
Total distance

2km
Final location
1 Orange St, Canterbury CT1 2JA, UK
Distance back to start location

791.23m

Directions to Starting Point

Start: 80 London Rd, Canterbury CT2 8LS

The tour begins at St Dunstan's Church, on the corner of London Road and St Dunstan's Street.

If you are coming by train to Canterbury West Station, turn right on to Station Road, and then right again at St Dunstan's Street. It's a 7-minute walk.

If you coming from Canterbury East Station, it's about a 20-minute walk. To avoid walking along the busy ring-road (Rheims Way), it's best to cut through town. Walk out of the station via the bridge into Dane John Gardens, and turn left along the city walls and towards Castle Row. Walk along Castle Row and continue along Rosemary Lane until you reach the junction with Stour Street. Turn right and walk until you get to the High Street. Turn left up the High Street and walk straight up, through Westgate Towers and up St Dunstan's Street.

If you are driving, nearby car parks are Pound Lane and Canterbury West Station. You also might find street parking along Westgate Court Avenue (about 5-minute walk to the start of the tour) or Orchard Street/Queen's Avenue (under 5-minute walk to start). Make sure you double-check the parking times/zones on the street.

There is also a bus stop outside St Dunstan's Church. Buses which stop here include the UniBus. For more options, see [here](https://bustimes.org.uk/localities/st-dunstans).

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

If you are hungry, thirsty or want a picnic at any point: The Refectory Kitchen (food/coffee), Café des Amis, Westgate Gardens, Cafe St Pierre, Boho (brunch/lunch), Stour Street - Greyfriars Chapel and Gardens (in summer months only), Canteen, the Chocolate Café, Pork & Co, The Parrot pub, The Dolphin pub.

If you have longer: Canterbury Cathedral, The Canterbury Tales (immersive and amusing visitor attraction on St Margaret's Street).

Best time of day

Daylight hours, between rush-hours: 10am - 3pm.

Precautions

Comfortable shoes and curiosity.

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App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”