Skip to content »
Skip to second navigation »

May

01

2012

Jun

30

2012

Sep

01

2012

Oct

30

2012

May

01

2013

Jun

30

2013

Sep

01

2013

Oct

30

2013

May

01

2014

Jun

30

2014

Sep

01

2014

Oct

30

2014

May

01

2015

Jun

30

2015

Sep

01

2015

Oct

30

2015


Chilling with Chaucer at Canterbury Cathedral, England

Published by Angela Jill, Writer

Country: United Kingdom

The Experience

Canterbury was once a pilgrimage stop on the way from London to Rome. When Thomas Becket was murdered at Canterbury Cathedral in AD 1170 by knights of King Henry II, Canterbury became a pilgrimage site in its own right. With Canterbury just a quick train ride from London, you can be transported back in time, in little more than an hour, to a town with a slower pace, more space, and a higher proportion of old buildings.

The Cathedral is located within the old city walls. Narrow, winding pedestrian streets lead to Canterbury Cathedral, with lots of great cafes and shops along the way. A bronze sculpture of Christ in the Archway leading to the gardens makes for a stunning first impression. Wandering through Canterbury Cathedral is a lesson in history as some parts were built as early as the 11th century, and as late as the 16th century. There are often special musical events going on in Canterbury Cathedral which add to the general atmosphere. There are impressive works of art to see as well, such as the stained glass (some from as early as AD 1180), as well as paintings like the Legend of St. Eustace, which is dated from AD 1480.

The most famous part of Canterbury Cathedral, the shrine to Thomas Beckett, is perhaps what many visitors are most interested in seeing, as this was the object depicted in the pilgrimages of Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." Unfortunately, this was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1538, but there is still, however, a very serene and meditative environment in the place where the shrine was originally located. The room that contained the shrine is made of smooth, dark stone, and the main central part of the room is roped off with a candle marking where the shrine would have been.

Photos

Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Canterbury Cathedral

The best time of year to go to the Canterbury Cathedral is during the spring and fall seasons. In the summer months it can be a little more crowded. If you find yourself in London, this is a great day trip as it is so close and so beautiful. The Cathedral website (lwww.canterbury-cathedral.org) ists different scheduled events, such as choirs and recitals.

Odds n' Ends

If by chance you want to learn more about what it would have been like to make the journey to Canterbury Cathedral during the time of Chaucer, or if you are at all curious about what the shrine might have looked like at the time—The Canterbury Tales, an exhibit that is entertaining for travellers of any age, is perfect for giving the historic and comical information you'll need. Complete with smells, sounds and wooden puppets, travellers can get the rundown on the most famous of Chaucer's tales. Not to be taken too seriously, the Canterbury Tales is a great way to get to know some of the Tales without having to get through the very difficult Middle English text.

With an audio guide in hand, modern pilgrims are led through a number of rooms in which the Tales are dramatized. The most memorable tale for many is the Miller's. One of the highlights is when the landlord's young wife offers her rear end instead of her mouth for the parish clerk to kiss through the window. The tale is humorously portrayed by mechanized wooden puppets which are synchronized with the audio guide so one can hear the dialogue and narration in time with the show. The last part of the tour, aside from the gift shop, is a recreation of the shrine. This is interesting to see, as it is to be missed in the Canterbury Cathedral. This exhibit is perfect to shed some light and give some context to the importance of the Canterbury Cathedral, and it is also a good laugh too.

Recommended Places to Stay

Kipps Hostel
Voted the best hostel in England by hostelworld.com in 2008, a very clean and friendly hostel for travellers on a budget.

More Experiences Nearby

Going for a Wander on the White Cliffs Of Dover
The white cliffs of Dover have been as important in literature as they have been in history. Significant in the Napoleonic wars and World War II, they have represented England's last line of defence in poetry and literature. In Matthew Arnold's poem, Dover Beach, it's the tide ebbing away from the cliffs that have the significance in terms of a loss of faith. The cliffs of Dover also symbolize England itself, for which Rudyard Kipling is so homesick in his poem “the Broken Men.” Regardless of the symbolic value of the white cliffs of Dover, it happens to be a ...16 miles away.

Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!

Book now
Leeds Castle, Canterbury and Dover
Continue to Leeds Castle, famous for the shimmering lake that surrounds it. Arriving early means you're allowed in before the doors open to the public. ...
Starting from $87.58 per person.

Video

Video Wall

You are now being transfered to our Video Wall

Books and DVDs

Frommer's England 2010
The Canterbury Tales
Notes on the Painted Glass of Canterbury Cathedral

Elsewhere on the Web

Canterbury Cathedral - Official Site
The Canterbury Tales Visitor Attraction - CanterburyTales.org

Language Guides

French , Hindi , Italian , Japanese , Mandarin , Portugese , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in United Kingdom. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.

People with experience


Recent Tweets

Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "canterbury cathedral":