Canterbury is a historic city located in the southeastern part of England in the county of Kent. It is most well-known for its iconic Canterbury Cathedral which is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city’s history goes back to Roman times when it was known as Durovernum Cantiacorum. Following the decline of the Roman Empire, the city was abandoned but experienced a resurgence in importance under the Anglo-Saxons and eventually solidified its place in history after St. Augustine made it the episcopal seat of the Catholic Church in England in the 6th century.
Canterbury has a population of around 55,000 and covers an area of 40.20 square kilometers. It is home to several museums like the Canterbury Roman Museum and the Canterbury Heritage Museum. It also boasts multiple parks, theatres, and a bustling city center teeming with shops, restaurants, and pubs. Its economy is fueled primarily by tourism, retail, and education—with several schools, colleges, and universities like the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University located there.
Canterbury is not just rich in history—it's also famous for being the setting of Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th-century collection of stories, "The Canterbury Tales", which tells the story of a group of pilgrims traveling from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket.
Zigzag streets and pretty flint cottages give this cathedral city a historic feel, while its cultural festivals, bustling shops, galleries, and lively arts scene ensure there is always something exciting happening. Overall, Canterbury is a city that blends the old and the new to create a place with a unique character and charm.
