As more Brits are opting for staycations amidst the cost-of-living crisis, people are falling in love with a charming city that looks like something from a fairy tale – here’s all you need to know
You don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to feel like you’re in paradise.
Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, many Brits are understandably sacrificing their two weeks in sunny Spain or an exotic holiday to the Maldives for a staycation. Despite the infamous weather and lack of duty-free, the UK is home to a slew of hidden gems and tourist attractions that garnered a staggering 31 million tourists in 2022.
Hotspots like Cornwall and Devon have always been popular thanks to their pristine beaches and better weather, but these destinations often become insufferably busy and expensive in the summer months. Luckily, there are plenty more options for those wanting a week’s break without hopping on a plane.
Jess, known as Where Jess Travels online, has racked up an impressive 45,000 followers thanks to her free travel guides and planned itineraries. In a recent TikTok video, the content creator raved about the humble city of Canterbury.
“If you’re looking for somewhere beautiful to visit in the UK this summer look no further than Canterbury,” she said. “It’s most famous for the Canterbury Cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage site which sits at the centre of English history.”
Kids aged 17 and under and pupils studying in Canterbury full-time can enter the impressive Cathedral for free. Standard visitor tickets for adults are £17, but you can enjoy a 20 per cent discount if you’re an English Heritage Member. The Norman-built building features Medieval stained glass, a huge library, and often hosts worship, concerts, special events and exhibitions.
“In the middle of the city, you’ll find one of the most beautiful places in England: Westgate Gardens,” Jess adds. “In summer, the flowers are in full bloom and it looks like something from a storybook. This scene is particular has been made pretty famous on social media, but it’s even more beautiful in real life.”
Consisting of 4.5 hectares of public garden located around a medieval bastion, Westgate Gardens are free to enter and is an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic with friends and family. If you want to truly learn about the city’s history, you can get a private guided walking tour – which starts at £120 for a group of up to 10 people – or a boat ride down the river.
Other attractions in the city include The Parrot, Canterbury’s eldest pub that dates back to the seventeenth century and is a great pit stop after a busy day shopping, as well as the Blean Woods Nature Reserve, and the Goods Shed farmer’s market.
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Viewers flocked to the comments section in awe of the city, with many pledging to visit soon. “Wow Canterbury is gorgeous!” one person raved. Another agreed, commenting: “It looks like a fairytale!” While a third added: “It looks like the set for enchanted.”
Canterbury has two train stations (East and West) making it an easy destination to get to no matter where you are in the UK. Ticket prices from London start from just £12.90 – but you’ll be forking out a lot more if you’re coming from the North. It’s also located just off the A2, meaning you can drive from London in just over two hours.
A week in a Holiday Inn Express hotel, which includes free breakfasts, costs £870. This is for a room that sleeps two adults and two children under the age of 14, from August 1-8. You can also rent out an entire home on Airbnb for £842 – which would allow you to save money on eating out by making use of the kitchen. For those not wanting to spend as much, you can spend a week in a three-bedroom caravan on a campsite for £487.
What’s your favourite staycation destination? Let us know in the comments section below
