If you are thinking of moving to Kent then you should certainly consider Canterbury. Read this brief guide of what Canterbury has to offer and get some inside tips from a team who lives and works there.
Canterbury is a compact historical city that is vibrant yet quaint. The cathedral city has a medieval heart, the best of old-fashioned values and a firm foot in the future. Stunning countryside surrounds the city and beyond that a choice of coastal destinations are within a 30 minute drive. Canterbury boast world-class schools and universities and has a vast range of leisure activities.
Thanks to HS1 trains from Canterbury West to London St Pancras taking just 55 minutes making a daily commute or an evening out to the capital a real possibility.
Canterbury – a World Heritage Site
The beautiful and awe-inspiring Canterbury Cathedral is one of the most famous Christian structures in the world. It is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is the place where Thomas Beckett was murdered in 1170. The Cathedral plays an active role in the community and is regularly used for community and/or public events, from university degree ceremonies to concerts and local schools’ commemoration services.
The Cathedral is not the only draw to Canterbury. Pretty ancient buildings are at every turn in the historic city centre including the enigmatic ruins of Canterbury Castle, the ancient Eastbridge Hospital, St Augustine’s Abbey, originally created as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon Kings of Kent. Furthermore, the romantic Greyfriars Chapel, surrounded by a wildflower meadow, sits alongside (and over) the river. The Westgate Towers is one of the most impressive standing Roman gates in the country and includes an interesting museum and viewpoint; the history is extraordinary and the views stunning.
Canterbury is the second most densely visited city in Europe (after Venice) and, for that reason, residents get too enjoy the trappings of a tourist destination all year round with world class cuisine and entertainment.
Dining in and around Canterbury
You will be thoroughly spoilt for choice, not only in the city centre but also in the picturesque villages, where traditional country pubs with open fires and pretty beer gardens have upped the ante to serve top-class cuisine.
As well as the usual high street chains you’ll find plenty of smaller independent restaurants to tempt you in the city. One of our favourites is Café des Amis, serving up traditional and modern Mexican food and you won’t want to miss The Goods Shed, which offers a menu using local Kent produce. The Good Shed also has an incredible farmers’ market and food hall, which is a feast for the senses, described as a “gastronomic heaven” by The Telegraph. A few others worth checking out are Oscar & Bentleys, The Chapter, The Cornerhouse, Café de Soleil and The Ancient Raj.
One of the best features of a move to the country are proper country pubs, complete with roaring fires, locally brewed beer, award winning Kent wine and hearty food. Nothing beats a Sunday walking the rolling Kentish countryside or along the coastal paths, followed by a drink and meal in a homely, traditional pub. There are plenty to choose from but some highlights include:
The Fordwich Arms, Fordwich (with Michelin Star) .
The Hop Pocket, Bossingham (watch out for the Vietnamese nights)
The Dog, Wingham (a gastro pub that is hard to leave)
The Compasses Inn, Crundale (genuinely cosy country pub)
The Duke William, Ickham (one of our favourites)
The Duck Inn, Pett Bottom (where Ian Fleming penned the early James Bond novels)
Theatre and Cinema
The new Marlowe Theatre means that thespians, film lovers and ballet connoisseurs are fully catered for in the city, attracting international shows and sell-out audiences. A Curzon art house cinema has its own arts festival every autumn. If you prefer to take part rather than spectate then you will not be disappointed, there are plenty of choirs and societies to get involved with.
Canterbury has strong folk routes and there is an active music scene with emerging and new talent on show at regular live events in many of the city’s pubs.
Sports and Leisure facilities in Canterbury
Canterbury is home to Kent Cricket and with the Kent Spitfires playing here, as well as ladies, boys, girls and seniors teams The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence is a busy place. It’s worth noting that there’s a thriving Kent Village League so if village life is for you this is your chance to get that cricket bat out of storage.
If golf is more your thing then Canterbury is perfect. Not only does Canterbury Golf Club have one of the top Harry Colt designed courses in England, but it’s also a busy and diverse club with a programme of competitions, a driving range and lessons for all levels.
You’ll find sports clubs to suit all the family here. These include Canterbury Hockey Club, Canterbury Squash Club, Canterbury Rugby Club, Tennis at Polo Farm, Canterbury Rams Basketball Club and many more.
For swimming and other activities try Kingsmead Leisure Centre or take your pick of many private gyms and sports facilities. A particularly good one is Kings School Recreation Centre and for the girls only, check out Ladies of Leisure Gym.
Of course if you’re happier on the water we are surrounded by it! A great example is Whitstable, offering all kinds of sailing, kite-surfing and wind-surfing for novices or pros.
Canterbury Education
Education is one of the most popular reasons for moving to Kent and Canterbury is a great example of why that is. Canterbury has wonderful schools, both state and private for all ages, add to this the Grammar system and you’ll be sure to find the school that best suits your child.
The Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and the Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School have excellent reputations. There are three private schools to choose from in the city and more in the surrounding area. The world famous King’s School Canterbury, set in the Cathedral precincts, is deserving of its reputation, as are St Edmund’s School and Kent College.
When it comes to further education you could find your children don’t have to leave home. Canterbury has three excellent universities. The University of Kent is the largest and also has study centres in Brussels, Paris, Rome and Athens. It’s also worth checking out Canterbury Christchurch University and the University for The Creative Arts.
Where to live in Canterbury
In the very heart of the city, often described as ‘within the city walls’, one mainly finds smaller terraced houses, Georgian town houses and a smattering of medieval buildings. Canterbury is not as big as you might think and there is a premium due to the relatively small number of homes within the city walls.
Larger houses can be found lining the roads in and out of the city such as New Dover Road or London Road. Those looking for similar houses should consider St Dunstan’s (near the West Station) and the nearby village of Harbledown (home to a group of stunning town houses).
Those venturing outside the city will find good value for money in local villages. Larger houses of around £1 million are relatively plentiful and a good-sized family cottage is around £500.000. There is a draw to the westerly villages of Chilham and Wye due to ease of commuting but other popular locations to the south and east include Bridge, Wingham, Littlebourne, Ickham and Wickhambreaux. Stelling Minnis, Bossingham and Petham form a small cluster to the south and have friendly local communities with some fantastic primary schools. Many of the villages fall within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are here to advise on the location that best suits you.
Top Tips
As in most modern cities traffic moves slowly at peak times so consider using public transport or one of the Park and Ride services. If you do need your car in the centre then parking is not usually a problem and because the city is compact nothing is ever far away. In the villages public transport can be a mixed bag so when choosing where to live consider your commute to work and school.
Enjoy the city but don’t miss out on the fabulous coast and countryside that is on your doorstep.