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3 Broad Oak Road, Canterbury, CT2 7PL, United Kingdom
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30 Opinions
Inside the refectory
Chris Fairhall, former Head Boatman on the bridge
pilgrim hospital
memorial in Buttermarket
Hi. I'm really interested in doing the original walk traced in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Does anyone know anything about doing this? Are there companies that have this mapped out? I've seen lots of companies who will help out in the walk across the Lakes District, so I was hoping there would something similar - help finding accom, maybe shuttle bags, etc. If there aren't these sorts of places that help, has anyone done this walk? Is it something worth investigating? Thanks.
That is a very interesting question. There is an ancient neolithic trackway in Kent known as the Pigrim's Way that ran (runs) roughly from Winchester to Canterbury (it was a trackway before those places existed though). It is similar to many upland trackway routes in the UK. It was not the route that Chaucer's pilgrim's used, but many places on both routes coincide.
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/Northdowns/article.asp?PageId=3&ArticleId=8
tells you about the history of these routes. You should be able to find a lot of info about the Pilgrim's way . It coincides with something called the North Downs Way in places.
I noticed a company offering this walk,
http://www.awhile.fsnet.co.uk/pilgrim.html
but you could do it independently
The original route ran roughly along the Roman Watling Street, which is the A2 today (more or less) according to the little bit of googling I've done. I'm not aware of any organised trips etc. Perhaps there's a gap in the market? I think the best thing to do (if you are really keen) would be to order the relevant Ordnance survey (OS) maps online (possibly from Amazon etc, but certainly from the OS site www.getamap.co.uk and work out your own route using public footpaths/ Pilgrim's Way etc. You will certainly be able to find b&bs/hotels at convenient intervals and it would make a brilliant holiday, although you'd have to carry your own stuff.
Aha!
http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip900402.htm
Yes there is a company that offers self-led and guided walks along the Pilgrims Way. It is called Walk Awhile and can be found at www.walkawhile.co.uk
Holidays include Land Rover support and an extensive library of books about the Pilgrims Way for walkers as they make their way to Canterbury.
As the question dates from Spring 2006, I suspect the OP has already sorted themselves out!
If there is football on, or anything that England are playing in we will walk about with flags draped over us!!! We are not so patriotic but just proud to be English!
It doesnt mean that we are "hooligans", just enjoying the festivities. Although we all know that there are a few who like to ruin everything for others.
A small backpack is handy for carrying you camera and book! Some of the streets are cobbled so a good flat pair of shoes is a good idea.
Also as we are in the UK with a very temperate and temperemental climate some rain gear is always a good idea!! You can get most things in the pharmacies and suoermarkets here. Bring loads of film, and poss batteries although we do have a few good photographic shops here. A guidebook would be essential to help you understand the history of the buildings. You can get them at any of the main bookshops in town or elsewhere before you travel.
Ask restaurant is in one of the best locations in Canterbury, right next to one of the most photographed places in the city, the river Stour and the ducking stool. Although i havn't ate here the menu, outlay and locaton of the restaurant is spot on. It looks like an ordinary house and the tables are set in small rooms like somebodys lounge. Nevertheless it looks a great place to eat and there were quite a few people in there so that must speak for itself
Situated in the city centre at the entrance to the cathedral is this traditional pub. The price of a pint is low compared to a lot of places in the city. I love sitting ouside (when possible) and watching the world go by. In the summer there re always lots of well cared for flowers as you can see. One of the VT meeting ended with us having a drink or 3 in here. I have only had a sandwich in here and it was fairly good as sandwiches go!
Despite the number of interesting attractions in Canterbury, I suppose the Cathedral is the "main draw".
Words like "awe-inspiring" and "majestic" are overused, especially in relation to architecture, but they really are appropriate in the case of this, the longest Cathedral in Europe. The sheer size of it would take your breath away.
I see little merit in merely paraphrasing a history of the building here, and would commend you to view the attached website which does a far better job than I ever could.
VT is supposed to be about personal tips so I will list a couple of my favourite things from the wealth of notable sights. The graves of the Black Prince and King Henry IV on the upper level are interesting, and I particularly liked the "appointments" (helmet, gloves etc.) that adorned the Prince's tomb.
I also like military history and there is much to see here in that vein. The Warriors Chapel, regimental Chapel of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment, now amalgamated) has many laid-up colours, including the only colours to enter Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Of the many, many military memorials in the Cathedral, I discovered one which I found particularly poignant. It is a memorial to a father and his four sons, all officers in the Army, who all died on active service before and during the First world War.
Of course, the site of the murder of Thomas a Becket is of great interest, having such a significant place in English history.
Admission to the whole precincts including the Cathedral, is ?5 for adults, and worth every penny. Allow at least two hours for the Cathedral alone, and at least half a day for the whole site. I shall deal with other places in the precincts in other tips.
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