With up to 76 cities in the UK, there’s still so much more to see. I was excited to visit one of the country’s most popular places but I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed
As someone who is new to travelling, my greatest ambition is to explore the globe and witness all its marvels, yet sometimes the finest adventures start right on our doorstep.
I spent my youth primarily discovering London alone, but as I matured with greater independence (and a healthier bank balance), I’ve been lucky enough to visit some of England’s most historic and culturally rich cities, including Oxford, Bristol, Peterborough, Brighton, and others. However, with as many as 76 cities across the nation, there remains so much left to discover.
Needing a well-deserved girls’ getaway for my cousin’s hen-do, we chose to visit one of the UK’s most celebrated destinations: Canterbury. According to the Telegraph’s top 25 list for Britain’s finest cities in 2024, the medieval city in Kent secured a solid tenth position.
Commenting on Canterbury’s ranking, the publication noted: “With the conviviality of a market town, a cathedral for the ages, and a rich history due to its location, Canterbury rarely fails to dazzle visitors. This shouldn’t surprise anyone. After all, the Kentish ‘capital’ invented tourism, if that’s not too impolite a term for pilgrimages.”
Despite this city appearing ideal for tourists, I found myself feeling rather disappointed. I didn’t truly encounter the “dazzlement” the writer mentioned, as it seemed more ordinary at best.
Having now experienced it firsthand, I wouldn’t return; here’s why.
Architecture and culture
According to the Telegraph, “The city as a whole scores high on green spaces. St Augustine’s Abbey, the Roman Museum and Dane John mound add further layers of interest. Narrow medieval alleys, riverside gardens and ancient city walls complete the impressive architectural tableau and make the city a joy to walk around.”
There’s no denying this city is absolutely stunning. Setting foot on the cobblestone streets and witnessing the countless Victorian and Gothic structures felt like stepping through a time portal.
The only element that disrupted this historic atmosphere was spotting all the takeaway chains and mainstream retail outlets scattered throughout the city centre – though it created quite a pleasant fusion of contemporary and traditional.
Wandering through the cramped alleyways proved to be my favourite part of exploring the city centre – they were so compact yet charming and teeming with activity.
Canterbury also boasts gorgeous natural beauty. I’d suggest booking the historic boat excursion to witness the city’s genuine splendour alongside a guide who reveals its past.
Nevertheless, I felt somewhat let down by the city’s compact size – there are only a handful of tourist attractions to discover, and many of the streets appear identical, so once the charm of the ‘medieval’ design fades, you’re left feeling quite disappointed.
We visited the Cathedral, but the queue was extremely lengthy, and it cost £21 at the weekend, despite ongoing restoration work with most areas of the structure off-limits to visitors.
Transport
As a Londoner, I’m always keen to see how other cities stack up when it comes to transport. But the bus systems in Exeter and Milton Keynes have left me vowing never to return — you’re left guessing where your stop is or hoping that Google Maps doesn’t freeze mid-journey.
My accommodation was just a 20-minute stroll from the city centre, but I was with family who couldn’t walk far due to health issues. Despite being near the city’s heart, reaching a bus stop was as much of a trek as getting to our destination.
The taxi services weren’t much better. Every time we rang, we were told to expect a wait of 30 minutes to an hour. Maybe I’m spoiled by Uber’s efficiency, but these long waits really put a damper on things.
Nightlife
The Telegraph writer noted: “Canterbury has a lively student population and a good smattering of pubs (the oldest, The Parrot, pre-dates the famous pilgrims), restaurants, and independent shops-the King’s Mile is a superb example of old meets new, traditional and trendy. The Goods Shed might be the loveliest food hall-cum-farmer’s market in the land.”
The city’s major pitfall is its dependence on the student population for vibrancy and economic activity. We paid a visit at the end of July, when the majority of students had vacated for the summer.
As a mid-twenty-something, I was somewhat relieved to avoid partying with freshers, but this resulted in an eerily quiet atmosphere.
On a Saturday night, the streets were practically deserted, and the local pubs and clubs were noticeably lacking in patrons. Despite crossing paths with three other hen parties, it felt like we were wandering through a ghost town devoid of revellers.
There were a few clubs that managed to draw in some crowds, but post 1am, everyone made a beeline for the local McDonald’s before heading home.
Britain’s top 10 cities, according to The Telegraph
- Bath
- Wells
- Bristol
- Oxford
- Edinbrugh
- St Albans
- Cambridge
- Ripon
- Worcester
- Canterbury