The Cathedral City

Pilgrims have flocked here, to Canterbury since 1170, when the Archbishop Thomas Beckett was murdered in the Cathedral. For centuries and centuries, this pilgrimage has contined. The Visitor Guide of Canterbury 2009/2010 says the "magnificence of the cathedral is the essence of Canterbury". There is no doubt about that, "but the city is multi-faceted, containing all the elements of a modern and vibrant cultural centre".

I cannot think of many a good reason why the city of Canterbury would not appeal to any person. There are restaurants, pubs, music venues and in October, the Canterbury Festival which attracts artists and musicians of a high calibre. It is a city to explore on foot, says the Visitor Guide. And this I certainly agree with. There are beautiful cobbled streets lined with specialist shops, cafes, and various waterholes. The high street is 'pedestrianised' which means lots of space and not having to look out for cars all the time. On most days of the week, there are stalls in the high street, selling anything from Winter hats to fresh vegetables to hot pasta.

One can spot the tourists from a mile away, staring around them in wonder. The Cathedral sits in the middle of all this. If you get lost, you can follow the towers of the Cathedral to find the city high street again. There are several other attractions besides the Cathedral, like the Canterbury Tales; an "entertaining re-creation of life in medieval England" (Visitor Guide), St Augustine's Abbey, ruins of the abbey founded by St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, in 598AD, Eastbridge Hospital, the medieval pilgrim's hospital, and so on.

This is certainly a city to be explored, walked, written about.

Fra