The city has been a significant player in England's history since its beginnings as the roman settlement of Duovernum which lay on part of the track we now know as Watling Street (this was the road between Dover, Canterbury and St Albans). It was to Canterbury that Augustine came in 597AD from Rome to bring Christianity to England.

Augustine founded Canterbury Abbey in 598AD - it is at the roots of Christianity in England and is one of the oldest monastic sites in the country. It is now mainly ruin and is an English Heritage site. It stands just outside the city walls. Along with the Cathedral and England's oldest parish church of St Martin, St Augustine's abbey make up the city's World Heritage Site.

No trip to Canterbury is complete without a visit to the Norman Cathedral, the mother church of the Anglican Communion. Augustine 's cathedral was burned down in 1067 but a new one was built on the same site by the Normans. It is noteworthy for its medieval tombs and stained glass. Of course we cannot forget that it was the site of Thomas Becket's murder in 1170 turning Canterbury into a place of pilgrimage. The city is home to four museums as well as the Canterbury Tales Visitor Attractions. Also worth a visit are the Eastbridge Hospital, a medieval pilgrim's hospital. Greyfriars, a 13th century building spanning the River Stour, and Canterbury Castle, the ruins of a Norman castle keep (a wooden motte and bailey was built soon after the Battle of Hastings) which was erected mainly in the reign of Henry I - 1100-1135.

There are plenty of green spaces in and around the city walls to relax in. The riverside Westgate Gardens have some of the best floral displays while the Dane John Gardens offer summertime bandstand concerts and a wonderful children's maze.

You will find that Canterbury Guides offer daily walking tours of the city from April - October and depart from the Visitor Information Centre.  There are also guided punt tours on the River Stour or DIY - take a rowing boat.

Canterbury is just 50 miles by car and one and a half hours by train from London Victoria and Charing Cross. Two city has two stations both equidistant from the city.

Canterbury Tales Visitor Attraction 14th century poet Geoffrey Chaucer wrote highly amusing stories about the journeys of pilgrims from London to Canterbury called Canterbury Tales. They provide interesting insight into characters and life at that time. There is an exhibition based on the Canterbury Tales in St Margaret's Church. Step back into medieval England and join Chaucer's famous band of pilgrims on their journey to the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.

Museum of Canterbury with Rupert Bear Museum. Housed in the medieval Poor Priests' Hospital and now extended into two adjoining buildings. Archaeological finds and historical collections on display. Hands-on activities. Tel +44 (0)1227 475202. The Rupert Bear Museum is part of the Museum of Canterbury. Full of adventure and surprises.

Canterbury Roman Museum in Butchery Lane. It is underground at the level of the Roman town. Mix of excavated real objects and preserved remains of a Roman town house with its famous mosaics. Tel: +44 (0)1227 785 575

The Royal Museum & Art Gallery with Buffs Regimental Museum. The city's picture collection features landscapes by Thomas Sidney Cooper - England's finest cattle painter. Buffs Museum tells the story of one of England's oldest regiments. High Street. Tel: +44(0)1227 452747

Further afield:

The Herne Bay Museum & Gallery can be found at 12 William Street, Herne Bay. Tel: +44 (0)1227 367368

Whitstable has a rich maritime history and is famous for its oysters. Whitstable museum & art gallery can be found on Oxford Street Whitstable. +444(0) 1227 276 998

Other towns which are close by and popular are Margate, Ramsgate and Folkestone.

Selected hotels in Canterbury:

Many more hotels in Canterbury