The ancient city of Canterbury is surrounded on three sides by woods, sea and coastal resorts. Not only is Canterbury beautiful, it is one of the most historic centres in Britain and Europe. Framed by the stunning Cathedral where Thomas a Becket was brutally murdered by Henry the VI’s wayward knights, every little corner reeks with history and atmosphere, as well as a glittering collection of crafts, shops, galleries and restaurants ensuring the visitor will never be bored.

Canterbury today is renowned as a centre of learning. It is a university town hosting the University of Kent and Christ Church College, Canterbury and welcoming thousands of students each year. Add to that a sizeable foreign student community and you have a vibrant night life with bars, pubs and restaurants catering to a cosmopolitan clientele.

The area has prehistoric roots and was well known to the Romans under the command of Julius Caesar in 55 and 54 BC. After some time Canterbury, already a civilised settlement, became an important regional capital with links to the coastal trading hubs and London itself. If you visited then you would have been greeted by Roman baths, temples, theatres and wonderful houses.

When the Romans left Britain Canterbury was an early convert to Christianity during the reign of King Ethelbert and his French wife Bertha. St Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory to convert Britain in 597AD and he found a warm reception in Canterbury, where St Augustine's Abbey was named after him.

In 1066 the city surrendered to William the Conquerer after the Battle of Hastings. The Cathedral was replaced and enlarged by the Normans after a terrible fire. It was here, centuries later, that Thomas Becket the Archbishop was murdered in 1171 after a long power struggle with King Henry II. Becket believed in the independence of the Church over the state and this eventually provoked the King to cry "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" Four knights duly did so in a most bloody fashion within the walls of the Cathedral itself, something the King was said to bitterly regret later.