All about Canterbury

Canterbury, a World Heritage Site, is home to over 149,100 residents (as at mid-2009) – and is the largest of the Kent districts. With more than 2 million tourists visiting the area each year, Canterbury is a popular destination for holidaymakers, historians, shoppers, artists, culture fans and more. The city also welcomes students from around the world, with some 30,000 living and learning here every year.

Culture

The cathedral is the city’s most prized attraction, sat at the very heart of the high street and visible from any angle at the University of Kent campus. Students graduating from Kent are privileged to have their ceremonies here, with photo opportunities a-plenty in the stunning grounds – both before and after picking up the scroll.

Canterbury is in fact steeped in history wherever you look – from medieval dunking stools to an abbey that dates back to AD600, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to St Thomas Becket’s ear. There are plenty of museums that house Canterbury’s treasures and tell historic stories of years gone by, from Rupert Bear to the Roman era. Famous architecture in the town centre also includes the Kings School Shop crooked door, the Westgate Towers and the City Wall.

(Taking a riverboat tour from the Weavers Bridge, down the River Stour, could well be the best way to soak up the sights in one go…)

Shopping

Canterbury has modern shopping facilities tucked amongst its many medieval buildings; this includes the £multi-million development Whitefriars at the very top of the high street, next to the bus station. Here you can stock up with the usual high street retailers like TopShop, Zara, Boots and H&M. You’ll also find Fenwicks, Canterbury’s privately-owned department store, with concessions from leading high street brands like Oasis, Ted Baker and other higher end designers.

Seasonal markets appear in the Whitefriars square fairly regularly too, showcasing live music, fashion, food and drink promotions. In the main cobbled high street, there are a huge variety of outlets to choose from; a mix match of both stores you’ll know and independent boutiques (as well as a very healthy smattering of charity shops for thrift-seekers.) An open market also runs through the high street every week, and a farmers food market every day courtesy of the Goods Shed (next to Canterbury West train station.)

Eating out

Canterbury is at bursting point with street cafes and eateries. As well as places like Carluccio’s, EAT, Café Rouge, Nandos, Starbucks and Costa, you’ll find just as many unique independent bistros and bars that serve tasty grub. From Boho Cafe in the high street to Tiny Tim’s Tearooms, to pub lunches at the Dolphin and finer (more costly) dining at Deesons.

In truth, there isn’t much in the way of food that you can’t find here: From English, French, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Mexican and Moroccan to Cuban, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Arabic, Indian, American-style fast food and takeaways. Student staples like kebab, pizza and burger shops are dotted around the city, within easy reach of the busy night clubs, pubs and bars. And pretty much everywhere delivers food direct to your door – even on campus.

Transport links

Canterbury benefits from excellent bus and train connections, too, making it easy for students to go home and visit the relatives once in a while. Less than one hour from London (fast train to St Pancras International) and under 35 miles from France (with the Eurostar on the doorstep), it’s more than possible to get to anywhere in the country – and beyond – with little difficulty. Price-wise, you’re looking at around £30 return from Canterbury to London off-peak and with 16-25 Railcard discount (if you buy direct from the station.)

If you drive, parking is pretty expensive in Canterbury. Most (if not all) of the central streets require a resident’s permit, or you have to pay by the hour at a meter. While there are plenty of car parks, these too can cost a lot (around £8 a day minimum.) Therefore, a private parking space is the best you can wish for at your student house (even on campus, students are discouraged by a permit system and a severely limited number of spaces.)

Sports

For active students, Canterbury has a number of gyms to choose from – including DW Fitness, Body & Mind Leisure, Kings School and Kingsmead. That’s as well as the subsidised student facilities you’ll find on campus at the University of Kent. Watch the pros perform at the Kent County Cricket Ground (local and international games), Canterbury Rugby and Football Club, and Polo Farm for hockey. There’s golf courses, watersports at Whitstable and Herne Bay, and cycle routes (like the Crab and Winkle) galore as well.

As well as sports and societies that students belong to on campus, Canterbury has a wealth of local leagues and sports teams – some affiliated to a pub, a village, club, or even just a group of mates. Beaches (around 120 miles of coastline) and woodland areas surround the main city, so there’s plenty of opportunity for fresh air whatever you’re into.

Arts

A small-ish and pretty safe city, Canterbury has a slightly hippy-like vibe about it – with few people really rushing anywhere and plenty of time for the arts. There are a number of art and craft galleries, an Odeon cinema, the annual Canterbury Festival (which attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and Europe), and the Marlowe Theatre for national touring productions of West End shows, dance, music, comedy, drama, ballet and opera. (That’s as well as the Gulbenkian Theatre and Cinema at the University of Kent campus.)

So all in all, for students at the University of Kent, there are a lot of activities and amenities on offer in Canterbury. More quaint and picturesque than larger student towns, and as a result less diverse, it has great general appeal – with the added bonus of a European city ethos. Read on to explore student life at the Kent uni campus.

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