Canterbury - The Gateway to Europe

Canterbury is one of the United Kingdom's most historic and important cities. Boasting a commanding location in Kent that allows it to overlook the English Channel ports and with views over to France available from the top of the tower at Canterbury cathedral, the city has long been of enormous strategic importance to the country, and in its prime, was the seat of power for organized religion in the country as the home of the titular head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

There are a number of different things to see and do on any visit to Canterbury. The stunning Cathedral is one of the best preserved and beautiful gothic buildings in the world, and tours are available that will allow visitors to see every aspect of the structure for themselves. Similarly, Canterbury Castle is very well preserved too, and has, along with nearby Dover Castle, been at the very heart of English defense since it was completed in Norman times nearly a thousand years ago.

While Canterbury is close enough to London to be within an hour of the capital by road or rail, it has got its own identity and to explore the city at your own pace allows you to enjoy the small winding streets and tiny craft shops that you will find there. Thanks to the large population of students that attend the University of Kent on a hill overlooking the city, Canterbury also offers an entertaining nightlife that provides people of all ages with something to do in the evening.

Thanks to the influence of both education and religion on the city, along with the fact that it has traditionally been a fairly liberal place, and there is a thriving arts and crafts movement in the city. You will find that there is a large arts center in the heart of town where a weekly market offers you the chance to buy local paintings and sculptures along with many other crafts.

One of the most appealing things about exploring Kent as a whole is the fact that there are so many small villages located in the historic county, and these offer the perfect opportunity to see ancient churches and graveyards, or to browse through antiques shops.