Where to stay in Canterbury — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Canterbury is a medieval cathedral city in Kent, in southeastern England. Canterbury Cathedral is a World Heritage Site and the center of the Church of England. The city is also the setting of the literary classic The Canterbury Tales, with Roman city walls, cobbled lanes, and the River Stour, which you can cruise to see the town — all less than an hour from London by express train.
Why stay in Canterbury
World Heritage cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral over 1,400 years old and the center of the Church of England.
A city of literature
The setting of The Canterbury Tales, the famous medieval English literary work.
Medieval city
Roman city walls, cobbled lanes, and old timber-framed buildings throughout the town.
River cruises
Take a punt along the River Stour to see the gardens and historic buildings.
Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Canterbury
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Canterbury hotel for you
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing one or two
Local dishes to try in Canterbury
- 1🍺
Kentish Ale
Kent is famous for hops and beer; try some in the town's old pubs.
📍 City-center pubs - 2🍎
Apple Cider
Kent is the orchard of England, with delicious fresh apple cider.
📍 Citywide - 3🫖
Cream Tea
Scones with cream and jam at an old-fashioned tearoom near the cathedral.
📍 City center - 4🥧
British Meat Pie
Meat pie and Sunday roast baked hot in traditional-style pubs.
📍 Pubs around town - 5🦪
Whitstable Oysters
Famous oysters from nearby Whitstable on the Kent coast.
📍 Near town
- 1⛪
Canterbury Cathedral
A World Heritage Gothic cathedral, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
📍 City center - 2📜
The Canterbury Tales
A museum recreating the medieval tales from Chaucer's literary work.
📍 City center - 3🏛️
St Augustine's Abbey
World Heritage abbey ruins, the starting point of Christianity in England.
📍 Outside the city walls - 4🧱
City Walls & Westgate Towers
Medieval city walls and the largest surviving medieval gateway in England.
📍 City center - 5🛶
River Stour Punting
Take a punt to see the old town and riverside gardens in peace and quiet.
📍 City center - 6🎓
University of Kent
A university on the hill with broad views of the cathedral and the city.
📍 Outskirts
Things to do in Canterbury
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Canterbury — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
3 Canterbury hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.1ValueCathedral Gate Hotel
#2 Historic stay · built 1438, next to the cathedral gate
★ 9.0Upper-midCanterbury Cathedral Lodge
#1 Once-in-a-lifetime stay · inside the UNESCO cathedral grounds
★ 9.0ValueThe Millers Arms Inn
#5 romantic inn · on the Great Stour river
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในCanterbury
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
The Falstaff
#3 Historic stay · Canterbury's oldest coaching inn (1403)
Turing College, University of Kent
#9 Cheapest option · Free breakfast and parking on the Kent campus
Kipps Backpackers Canterbury
#10 Best-rated hostel in town · garden BBQ and movie nights
Pilgrims Hotel
#6 Great location · opposite the Marlowe Theatre
Thomas Ingoldsby (Wetherspoon)
#7 Value pick · spacious rooms, big-screen TV
The Victoria Hotel
#8 Free parking · on-site Carvery & Steak Grill
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Canterbury dates
🚆 Getting around Canterbury
Express train from London
High Speed 1 from St Pancras to Canterbury West in about 55 minutes.
Walking the old town
The city center is pedestrianized; you can explore the cathedral and lanes all over on foot.
Local buses
Buses connect to surrounding Kent towns like Whitstable and Dover.
Cycling
The Crab and Winkle Way cycle route connects to Whitstable on the coast.
Where to go next near Canterbury
LondonA metropolis on the Thames that blends palaces, world-class museums, and shopping districts seamlessly.
See this city's guide →
EdinburghThe Scottish capital, with a castle on a volcanic crag and a World Heritage Old Town.
See this city's guide →
BrightonA chic seaside town in southern England, with a pier, an Indian-style palace, and a bohemian atmosphere.
See this city's guide →
SalisburyA medieval cathedral city in Wiltshire, the starting point for visiting nearby Stonehenge.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Canterbury
How do I get to Canterbury from London?+
Take the High Speed 1 train from St Pancras International to Canterbury West, about 55 minutes — easy as a day trip.
Is there an entry fee for the cathedral?+
You need to buy a ticket to visit Canterbury Cathedral, but those attending a religious service may enter free of charge.
How many days do I need in Canterbury?+
One day is enough for the main city, or stay overnight to continue on to Dover and the Kent coast.
Ready to book your Canterbury stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking