Canterbury Heritage Museum, Canterbury, Kent

The museum closed unfortunately in 2018

The Canterbury Heritage Museum (formerly the Museum of Canterbury) in Canterbury, Kent was dedicated to the long history of the city.

English Civil War era helmet

The Canterbury Heritage Museum stood within the Poor Priests’ Hospital which dates from the 12th century and is located on the River Stour. The exhibits were arranged in a “time walk” from pre-Roman times to the present day.

Invicta steam locomotive

Exhibits

The Canterbury Heritage Museum’s prized exhibit was the Canterbury Cross, a Saxon brooch believed to date to 850 and found in the city in 1867. Other highlights of the Canterbury Heritage Museum are the original Invicta steam locomotive (above), which ran on the Canterbury to Whitstable railway, the first railway in the world to offer a steam passenger service.

River Stour

Conrad

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) spent the last five years of his life near Canterbury and various items from the great writer’s study are preserved at the museum including his desk, typewriter, and pen.

Two other famous residents of Canterbury, Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, are celebrated with exhibits of their famous children’s TV programmes: The Clangers, Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine, and Bagpuss.

Finally, Canterbury-born and educated, Mary Tourtel is honoured with an exhibition dedicated to her famous creation, Rupert Bear, which first appeared in the Daily Express newspaper in 1920. Her successor, Albert Bestall, has a number of his illustrations for the Rupert Bear annuals on display.

Access – Getting There

Canterbury Heritage Museum (www.canterbury.co.uk/museums/heritage-museum)
Stour Street
Canterbury
Kent, CT1 2NR
Tel: 01227 378100
Hours: Generally 11 am – 5 pm; check the website for detailed opening hours.
Admission £8.00 for adults; £10.00 joint ticket with the Roman Museum.

Visitors to Canterbury are recommended to visit the nearby Canterbury Cathedral.

Holiday Inn Express Canterbury

Accommodation in Canterbury

Canterbury has a range of accommodation options. Some recommended places to stay in the city include the three-star Holiday Inn Express Canterbury, the four-star Thomas Ingoldsby Wetherspoon on Burgate, the three-star The Falstaff in Canterbury on Dunstan Street and the three-star Canterbury Hotel on Wincheap.

Top Six Places To Stay

The Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, situated within the cathedral precincts, offers a tranquil setting with stunning views of the cathedral. The rooms are comfortable, and the on-site restaurant serves delicious meals. Staying here allows you to immerse yourself in the city’s history and enjoy its serene atmosphere.

ABode Canterbury is a stylish hotel housed in a converted 1830s former bank building on the High Street. It offers elegantly designed rooms and suites with modern amenities. The hotel also features a restaurant and bar, serving a range of contemporary dishes and cocktails.

The Falstaff in Canterbury, just a short walk from Canterbury Cathedral, is a charming boutique hotel with a rich history. The rooms are individually decorated, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary styles. The hotel also features a cozy lounge area and a restaurant serving British cuisine.

The Canterbury Hotel is set in an elegant Victorian building, offering comfortable rooms with modern amenities including an indoor swimming pool, spa and free Wi-Fi. It boasts a central location, close to the city’s major attractions. The Canterbury Hotel provides a warm and friendly atmosphere, along with complimentary breakfast.

The Castle House Hotel is a 3-star property housed in a 16th-century Tudor building, and offers a unique and historic experience. The rooms are tastefully decorated, and some feature original period features. The hotel’s restaurant serves locally sourced cuisine, and its location near Canterbury Castle provides convenient access to the city’s landmarks.

The Victoria Hotel, just outside the city center, offers a peaceful retreat with easy access to Canterbury’s attractions. The hotel features comfortable rooms, a restaurant serving traditional English fare, and a cozy bar area. It also has beautiful gardens where guests can relax and unwind.

See here for a full listing of hotels in Canterbury.

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