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Canterbury Cathedral Lodge - Canterbury

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Hotel with incredible cathedral views

Think Canterbury, think Cathedral. So surely there’s nowhere better to stay on a visit to this historic city than the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral themselves. With stunning, up-close views of the soaring stonework and ornate detailing, the bedrooms at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge are as close to being a modern-day version of Chaucer’s pilgrims as it’s possible to get - albeit with comfy beds, luxurious en-suite bathrooms, great toiletries and home-made chocolates...

A stylish new-build amidst the cathedral’s precincts and gardens, the Lodge is popular during the week as somewhere a bit different to hold conferences and meetings, but at the weekend its contemporary accommodation is perfect for a stylish and romantic retreat. The rooms are airy and modern, with simple design and huge windows to fully enjoy those views. Fluffy towels and crisp linen, powerful showers, locally-made toiletries and wifi are just the icing on the cake. Set around a private courtyard, with direct access to the cathedral gardens, staying here is as peaceful as you would expect.

The main attraction - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is omnipresent, while the cobbled streets of Canterbury’s historic centre are just a few minutes’ walk away.

Where is it?

The city of Canterbury is just 60 miles from London, 15 minutes from the sea and sat amidst the beautiful Kent countryside. In short, it’s a great, and undeservedly overlooked, weekend destination. Spiritual home to the Anglican Church, the city is still a magnet for pilgrims from all over the world, but there’s plenty to see and do whatever your religious persuasion.

The star of the show is, of course, Canterbury Cathedral (www.canterbury-cathedral.org Tel: 01227 762862), a towering edifice of jumbled architectural styles and a jaw-dropping, cavernous interior. Founded in 597 AD, when St Augustine established his seat (or ‘cathedra’, fact fans...) in Canterbury, on the instructions of Pope Gregory the Great. Since then, bits of the cathedral have been built, demolished, re-built, added on, damaged and preserved to create the beautiful building that you can see today. The pilgrims started flocking after the murder of Thomas Becket in the cathedral in 1170, and they’ve been coming ever since. Ambling around the cathedral, its walled precincts, medieval out-buildings and gardens is all fascinating stuff.

The cathedral is one of the UK’s very few UNESCO World Heritage Sites, along with St Augustine’s Abbey (www.english-heritage.org.uk Tel: 01227 767345), the romantic ruins of the abbey built in 597AD and St Martin’s Church - England’s oldest parish church still in use (it’s believed to have been built in the 4th century). Both sit just outside the old city walls. The city itself sits on the pretty River Stour, and is a jumble of period building styles, cobbled streets and modern shopping. The attractive heart of Canterbury can only be explored on foot, and it’s easy to while away a day wandering aimlessly, but if you really want to discover all of the city’s hidden gems, you’d do well to follow one of the city’s numerous guided tours. One of the best is a Canterbury River Tour (www.canterburyrivertours.co.uk Tel: 07790 534 744) - which operate from April to September. Enjoy being ‘chauffered’ (ie rowed) through town on the River Stour by one of the company’s young and enthusiastic crew and see some of the city’s most beautiful sights, including the cathedral, from a new angle. Alternatively, climb the Dane John Mound in the middle of the city’s pretty Dane John Gardens for a fantastic view over Canterbury. A bandstand in the gardens provides a summertime soundtrack.   

If you can only handle enough history for one day, then venture out of Canterbury into the Kent Countryside for some respite. The country isn’t known as the Garden of England by accident - just a few miles outside the city and you’ll come across some of the UK’s most successful vineyards. Beautiful Barnsole Vineyard (www.barnsole.co.uk Tel: 01304 812 530), 9 miles from Canterbury, has over 3 acres of vines and is open for tours and wine tasting. If that isn’t enough lush greenery for you, the gorgeous gardens at Goodnestone Park (www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk Tel: 01304 840107), 8 miles from the city, are enormous and the perfect place for a stroll and a picnic.

One of the best things about Canterbury though, is its close proximity to the seaside. Lovely Whitstable is just a 15-minute drive away, with its vibrant arts scene, fisherman’s cottages, windy streets and candy-coloured beach huts. Still a thriving fishing harbour, Whitstable’s bustling fish market (Tel: 01227 771245) is a highlight, while the pebbly beach stretching for miles towards Herne Bay is pure seaside heaven. The heart of the town is Harbour Street, a higgledy-piggledy row of boutiques, cafes and, most famously, art galleries. The little Harbour Gallery (www.harbourgallery.co.uk Tel: 01227 277044) is a great place to pick up paintings of the Whitstable seascape by local artists.

Where can I eat?

Canterbury has some great restaurants, all within easy walking distance of Canterbury Cathedral Lodge. One of the best things in the city, let alone best place to eat, is The Goods Shed (Tel: 01227 459153) - a small, permanent farmer’s market in an old railway goods shed, with a rustic restaurant attached. Lunches and dinners are cooked using only ingredients from the market that day, so your fish will be as fresh as if you’d just caught it and your bread will have just been baked 30ft from your table. It’s totally fantastic (and the market’s perfect for picnickers too).

For something a little more spangly, the city-centre Abode Hotel is home to Michael Caines Restaurant (www.michaelcaines.com Tel: 01227 826684) - a chic dining room with a vibrant Modern British Menu. Head Chef, Mark Rossi, under the guidance of Michael Caine himself (the award-winning chef, rather than glasses-wearing Brit icon), uses lots of local Kent ingredients, including Whitstable seafood and Romney Marsh lamb, in his dishes - while the restaurant’s tasting menu is fantastic. Oh, and words can’t describe the puddings on offer. For something a little more low-key, Fusion Brasserie (www.fusionbr.co.uk Tel: 01227 472185) serves laid-back, modern European food with an oriental twist in a 13th century house. Its stunning terrace and garden makes it a great option for summer al-fresco dining. The cosy little Augustines Restaurant (www.augustinesrestaurant.co.uk Tel: 01227 453063) is a gem of a place in a lovely Georgian townhouse close to St Augustine’s Abbey. Local and seasonal produce are the go here - used in a predominantly British menu, with a few exciting twists.

For a bracing meal by the sea, Whitstable has a great selection of places to eat. Top of the list is the multi-award-winning Crab & Winkle (www.crab-winkle.co.uk Tel: 0845 2571587), a mecca for fish lovers everywhere. The seafood couldn’t be fresher as the harbour is right outside and the fish market just downstairs, while garnishes are simple but mouthwatering. Alternatively, try the world-famous Wheeler’s Oyster Bar (Tel: 01227 273 311) a simple parlour of a restaurant that’s been running for over 150 years. The idea is, very simply, that the freshest, locally sourced produce of all kinds is used to make everything from scratch, even so far as using fish from boats which have returned after a single day's fishing, rather than a two week trip, to give the best possible taste to the restaurant's customers. The locals love it, the critics love it and the local off-license loves it as Wheeler’s is a bring-your-own establishment. Perfect.

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Think Canterbury, think Cathedral. So surely there’s nowhere better to stay on a visit to this historic city than the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral themselves.