...places you might never know about

Canterbury is a city that offers beautiful scenery, rich history and a buzzing social scene. But after you’ve seen the Cathedral and wandered the main high street, where do you go from there? Explore the winding avenues and streets and you’ll find a variety of places worth checking out. Here are a few picks for those who fancy something off the beaten path:

Food and Drink

Rather than being a sheep and getting coffee at Costas or Starbucks, why not go for Willows Secret Kitchen, a family owned coffee shop off Stour Street where they take good coffee very seriously. In addition to coffee, there are a range of hot and cold sandwiches and more. Be sure to ask for their vacuum coffee brewers – great fun to see in action.

Live Acts

Tucked away on Orange Street you’ll find an 18th century grade listed venue that offers the latest live music and comedy. The Ballroom, as the name suggests, is set up in an old fashioned ballroom, and has a vintage yet contemporary feel. With great acoustics and offering a variety of diverse nights, it is the ideal place to check out live music. A personal favourite is open mic on Wednesdays – a cheap night out with some high quality home-grown talent.

Walks in the Park

Westgate gardens lies in the heart of Canterbury city centre and offers eleven acres of historic beauty. It’s the perfect option for a gentle stroll along the banks of the river Stour to check out the wildlife and picturesque scenery. When summer comes around it is ideal for open air events, picnics, live music and exhibitions.

Art and Culture

No doubt you’ve heard of the Marlowe Theatre, but just opposite is The New Vision Gallery, a gallery promoting a diverse collection of unique creations by local artists. You will find paintings, photography, jewellery, digital media and much more. Currently exhibiting is ‘The World Around Us’, where you will find a varied show of existential and literal interpretations. Oh, there’s a bar, too.

Pubs of Note

Canterbury is littered with a wide selection of pubs which suit a variety of tastes. Check out the Beercart Arms, offering character, charm a good selection of lagers, ales and a dance floor for when you’ve tried them all. On a Monday they do live music nights, and on match days they have 10 HD screens where you can catch the game. Another pub worth checking is The Cherry Tree, located on the backstreets off the main high street near the Abode hotel. A friendly, cosy atmosphere and a healthy selection of drinks, including their signature cocktail which I probably can’t name here, so go there yourself to find out!

Written by Matt Jani.