CANTERBURY LIVING

Canterbury is an exciting and dynamic city that offers a university experience like no other. Get ready to immerse yourself in its rich history and diverse culture and make lasting memories within its lively city walls. The people, architecture and atmosphere all make Canterbury truly unique, and you’ll be proud to call it home.

Located in Kent, just over an hour by train from London and even closer to quirky seaside towns such as Whitstable, Margate and Dover, Canterbury is a cathedral city and proud World Heritage Site. Students make up over half of our population, so you’ll often find yourself bumping into a friendly face when you’re out and about.

We’re one of the most popular tourist cities in the UK, and for good reason! Our long history is steeped in culture, the arts, musical and sporting achievements and more. But we’re not living in the past. We’re rooted in history and blazing a trail as a fun, modern city with some great restaurants, bars, shops and leisure destinations for you to explore.

Artisan coffee shops

Medieval bars & Restaurants

Where old meets new

With healthy breakfasts

Naughty lunches

And tasty dinners

The big smoke an hour away

And the coast a bus ride away

Culture

Canterbury’s rich cultural scene is unrivalled. Whether you’re a history buff, an admirer of architecture or an arts fanatic, you’ll find something fascinating to see and do here. The city is practically a hybrid of the old and the new, and one can’t ignore its aesthetic beauty. Our summer festivals in Dane John Gardens are a particular highlight, as are the buskers and live bands who perform in different parts of the city, and the eclectic pop-up markets that often dot the streets.

Eating & Drinking

As well as popular food-chains like Nando’s, Pizza Express and Zizzi’s, Canterbury is home to a mix of cosy and quaint independent spots that will keep you coming back, time and time again. From street-food to seafood, cafes to cocktail bars, and all of the delicious things in-between, you’ll be spoilt for choice with our vibrant culinary scene.

Nightlife

What’s a university experience all about? The nightlife of course! Well, not entirely, but it’s a very important part of it. Don’t be fooled by our city’s modest size, we really do come alive at night, with a choice of venues, clubs, bars and clubs for you to choose from. Whether you prefer to dance until dawn, or nurse a few pints and shoot some pool, a night out in Canterbury is guaranteed to be a fun one.

Shopping

Canterbury has a great variety of high street shops and boutiques, and with everything within walking distance, you’ll be able to explore the whole city in no time and catch your breath over lunch. Explore stores like H&M, Primark and River Island in the Whitefrairs hub, before perusing the second-hand shops along the High Street and the record stores hidden like little gems off the beaten track.

Sport

Whatever your sport of choice, you’ll find a mix of places to watch and play it around the city. Cricket is very popular here, and St Lawrence Ground is a great place to watch some world class matches. Our varsity football and rugby games are also heavily attended, and all three universities offer an interesting selection of teams you can join, from Boxing to Quidditch (yes, really!).

Universities

We’re home to three world-class universities here in Canterbury, the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University for the Creative Arts. Whether you’re brilliant with numbers, excel at the arts, or prefer a more practical pursuit, wherever you choose to study, you’ll find the perfect home here at Riverside. We’re also conveniently located less than a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute cycle ride from all three universities.

Filter by