• Canterbury - Guests will be greeted by their guide, Dr. Anthony Medhurst, outside The Hampton by Hilton hotel on St Margaret’s Street. Here, they will learn about Canterbury’s Iron Age origins, Julius Caesar’s initial raids in 55BC and 54BC, and the profound influence of the Roman invasion and settlement from AD43-410. Visitors will have the chance to see the remains of the Roman theatre, constructed in AD 80, which evolved into a venue for over 3,000 people, located directly beneath them. Additionally, they will view the nearby Roman road, Watling Street, which runs through Canterbury between London and Dover, as well as the site of a temple complex and public bathhouses.

• Canterbury - The tour will proceed to the corner of St Margaret’s St and High Street, the crossroads of the Roman city. Here, participants will learn about the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket by four knights under King Henry II’s orders. The miracles attributed to those who encountered Thomas’s spilled blood in the Cathedral led to his sainthood and made Canterbury a pilgrimage destination. Visitors will discover what it was like for pilgrims visiting Canterbury between 1170-1538 and see the remains of shops, inns, and accommodations they used.

• Canterbury - Leaving St Margaret’s Street, the group will cross to Butchery Lane for a fantastic photo opportunity of the Cathedral, its charming cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. At this point, they will also learn about the Cathedral’s origins, particularly Augustine’s arrival in Canterbury in AD597 and the subsequent spread of Christianity. The construction of the Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church from this period are why they are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Canterbury Cathedral - The tour will continue to the Cathedral Gate, the main entrance to one of the historic homes of the Anglican church. Participants will gain insight into the gate’s connection with Henry VIII and the Tudor family, as well as the impact of the Reformation on Canterbury and the Cathedral. While there, they will learn more about the Buttermarket, the cobbled square that is the focal point of the medieval city and the location of several pilgrim hotels and taverns.

• Canterbury - The next stop is the picturesque River Stour, a historic crossing point once home to the Dominican friars, known as the Blackfriars. Here, visitors can learn about the influence of friars and monks in Canterbury and see two surviving buildings from this period: a refectory used by Dominicans as a dining hall and separate guest quarters. This beautiful location offers excellent photo opportunities. While here, guests will hear about one of Canterbury’s most famous sons, the dramatist Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary of William Shakespeare. Stories will be shared about Canterbury’s importance in his short but vibrant life, which ended in a Deptford tavern.

• Canterbury - The tour will move on to the largest surviving medieval fortified tower, the Westgate Tower. Originally, the Romans protected Canterbury with defensive walls between 270-290AD and seven gateways. During the Hundred Years War with France, the walls were further strengthened, and two massive fortified gateways were constructed. Visitors will discover the innovative features of the Westgate and its role in protecting Canterbury over the centuries. A short stroll will lead to the neighboring Westgate Gardens, with its medieval houses, ancient archway, and idyllic riverside setting, perfect for photos. Guests will also see the submerged female figure in the river, ‘Alluvia,’ based on the character ‘Ophelia’ in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet.’ ‘Alluvia’ is a striking sculpture by a prominent local artist, serving as both a dramatic work of art and a tool for measuring the River Stour’s temperature and cleanliness.

• Canterbury - The tour will head down the High Street towards the Old Weavers’ House, located at another charming riverside spot on the King’s Bridge. Here, visitors will see a beautiful timbered Tudor building that housed textile workers. They will learn about the significance of Protestant weavers who fled the Low Countries and later France in the 1500s and 1600s, contributing significantly to Canterbury’s re-emerging wealth after the devastation following King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. Additionally, they will view a grim reminder of past hardships - a ‘witches dunking stool.’ Women accused of witchcraft faced five seemingly impossible tests, including being held underwater in the chair for several minutes. If the accused survived, she was deemed a witch; if she drowned, she was considered innocent and cleansed by the water.

• Canterbury - Just steps away from the King’s Bridge is a statue commemorating Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales,’ written in the late 1300s. Visitors will gain an understanding of the ‘Canterbury Tales’ significance to the city and the country. They will also hear about Canterbury’s even more famous son, Orlando Bloom, who is featured on the statue. This will be the final stop before returning to St Margaret’s Street, where the tour began.

• Canterbury - The tour concludes at the Hampton by Hilton.

• Entertaining local guide with a Cambridge PhD in History

• Gratuities

This thoughtfully designed walking tour is perfect for those seeking a brief overview of the city’s top attractions before delving deeper into its sites. This tour is ideal for you! Guided by Dr. Anthony Medhurst, a Canterbury local and Cambridge PhD, participants will explore the city’s most intriguing, historic, and picturesque spots within its ancient walls, all in just one hour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.