Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
Jess Astbury regales tales of festivities in warmer climates.
That said, Canterbury is not only famed for its religious significance. Perhaps verging on bias, as this fair city is my hometown, I strongly recommend if you are planning on visiting cities in the UK that Canterbury be on your list.
Canterbury lies an hour and a half from the bustle of London’s Victoria station on the Dover Priory line. Return tickets should set you back around £15 with a cheap day return and student rail card. National Express Coach services also run regularly from the capital at £14. Personally I would favour travel by train, giving easy access to the underground for those traveling across London and a picturesque journey through the rolling Kent countryside.
The city could definitely be claimed to be akin to York; the myriad of cobbled backstreets, hidden gardens and abundance of 12th-14th century architecture standing close by the streets. There are also a host of restaurants; a largely Italian affair with the recent Whitefriars shopping area development along the city wall adding to the largely mainstream shopping outlets along the Parade and High Street through the centre of the city. The bustle of the place is quite extraordinary, certainly a worthy opponent to Oxford Street at the weekends and Kent University's proximity to the town means that you’re never short of interesting nightlife. There are a large number of hotels and hostels across the city to choose from if you don’t already know anyone nearby so there shouldn’t be a problem with accommodation.
Dane John Gardens, an idyllic park shielded by the medieval city wall from the ring-road, is a great place to relax during the day and a romantic spot for the evening. On the north side of the city, straddling the river lies Westgate Gardens, a more secluded set of smaller parks running down to the similarly named Tower – the largest surviving city gate in England. You can also find boat trips along the river here, not quite punting in a gondola but still an interesting guided tour. The ruined Roman castle that stands a monument to the test of time is another must-see if you are historically minded. St Martin’s Church also lies close by – it is the oldest Church in England still in use, containing both Saxon and Roman architecture.
If you’re less culturally minded, the number of pubs and restaurants throughout Canterbury would stand you in good stead for your alcoholic and culinary needs. Personal favorites include the Pizza Express bordering the Stour, the Chinese Kudos restaurant behind the Odeon cinema, the Indian Raj restaurant by Westgate and The Goods Shed by Canterbury West. I tend to avoid Little Italy, Zizzi’s and Pinocchio's; for whilst the food is excellent, the menus remain tediously similar and damage my shrinking student wallet.
The ‘Penny’, Top and Bottle ‘Spoons’, The Buttermarket, and The Canterbury Tales all serve as the arteries for the nightlife in Canterbury, with reasonably priced booze - compared to York anyway - and a busy atmosphere. Other favorites include the pricey cocktail bar ‘The Cuban’ and the Orange Street Music Club, a hotspot for up and coming local bands – shout out to ‘Zoo For You’. If you’re looking to extend your night into the early hours in the mayhem of a club look to head to Churchills, or ‘Chills’ to us locals – I’d look to be pretty drunk in there, it’s small. Aubrey’s is another hotspot (Ziggy’s-esk without the headroom). Baa Bar’s is the biggest out of the three, and sits just by Canterbury East, so if you’re looking for a late night exit, you’re halfway there already.
I think that should keep you busy for a couple of days until you leave - I’d hope in true student style with a hangover - and go seek another destination. There is so much to see and do I could write several pages more, but on a final note I'll say that Canterbury is beautiful, entertaining and a fantastic place to spend a couple of days and chill out. So please go and give it a visit!
You must log in to submit a comment.
