Attractions Nearby Canterbury, Day Trips and Excursions

(Canterbury, Kent, England, UK)

An enormous selection of attractions await day trippers from Canterbury, ranging from beaches and seaside gift shops, to wildlife parks, fortresses and historical remains. Canterbury is especially close to the medieval village of Chilham, the coastal town of Herne Bay and the family themed attractions at Howlett's Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne.

At roughly 30 minutes away by car, the ever-popular seaside town of Margate comes with a noticeable Georgian and Victorian character, and makes for the perfect family excursion. The lengthy sandy beachfront is the big draw here, being lined with numerous amusement arcades, fish and chip shops, bingo halls and ice cream stalls. Particularly prominent and regularly appearing on local postcards is the Margate Clock Tower, which was constructed in 1887 as part of the town's celebrations for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The nearby Marine Gardens provide a pleasant place to sit, relax and enjoy an ice cream whilst admiring the views of the beachfront.

Broadstairs

Broadstairs has always been a popular alternative to nearby Margate and lies around 32 km / 20 miles to the east of Canterbury city. Boasting an attractive sandy beachfront and strong connections with the famous Victorian writer, Charles Dickens, attractions at the town of Broadstairs include the Dickens House Museum along the Victoria Parade, and the well-supported Dickens Festivals staged each June, featuring a costumed Victorian ball.

Bekesbourne

The nearby village of Bekesbourne lies around 8 km / 5 miles to the south-east of Canterbury and is best known for being home to Howlett's Wild Animal Park, which encompasses around 70 acres / 28 hectares. The main attractions at the park include the biggest collection of Lowland Gorillas on the planet, together with tigers, wolves, monkeys and even a large group of African elephants. Howlett's Wild Animal Park began its life as a private zoo in the 1950s, before being opened to the public in 1975, and recently appeared on the CBBC television programme 'Roar'.

Chilham

Just 8 km / 5 miles to the south-west of Canterbury, the village of Chilham is full of medieval character and historic buildings. A prominent village square stands in front of Chilham Castle, which dates from the 12th century. Chilham is easy to find and is located off the A252, along the North Downs Way.

Dover

The 'White Cliffs of Dover' are famous all over the world, being immortalised in Dame Vera Lynn's Second World War classic. Dover is a major port town and sited roughly 29 km / 18 miles to the south-east of Canterbury, and a similar distance from the French town of Calais, which is connected by a stream of regular passenger ferries.

Herne Bay

Herne Bay is a mere 14 km / 9 miles north-east of Canterbury and was once an extremely popular seaside resort. These days the town has somewhat lost its former popularity and features only a handful of attractions worth recommending. Specific highlights include trips on the 'Wildlife' boat to a nearby sandbank, which is always full of seals, and also the nearby Reculver Country Park, with the remains of a Roman fort and Saxon church.

Margate

With an impressive sandy stretch of beach and many traditional seaside attractions, the town of Margate has become a popular resort and regularly attracts visitors from both Canterbury and London alike. Tourism in this resort is booming, with the plentiful tourist magnets including the Dreamland amusement arcade, the Shell Grotto and its intricate mosaics, the Margate Caves along Northdown Road, and the numerous antiques shops around the Old Town district. Margate is situated around 31 km / 19 miles from Canterbury and can be reached in just over 30 minutes.

Sandwich

The historic town of Sandwich stands approximately 3 km / 2 miles from the seafront and around 23 km / 14 miles to the east of Canterbury. Notable highlights include the ruined Richborough Castle, just a short distance to the north. The Roman remains of this ancient fortress date back to the year 275 AD. Artefacts and treasures found on this site are displayed in the Sandwich Guildhall Museum, which also celebrates the town's rich heritage.

Whitstable

Sited approximately 11 km / 7 miles north of Canterbury, this charming fishing village overlooks an especially scenic bay and is often referred to as the 'Pearl of Kent'. Whitstable is famous for its excellent seafood, with locally caught oysters being one of the top attractions here. The Whitstable Museum and Gallery along Oxford Street concentrates on the village's fishing industry and maritime past.