I visited one of the UK’s popular cities but will never return | UK | Travel

As a travel enthusiast, I’ve always dreamt of exploring the entire globe to experience the marvels our world has to offer. However, I’ve realised that sometimes the most thrilling adventures start right at home. I’ve had the pleasure of exploring some of England’s most historic, vibrant and culturally rich cities, including Oxford, Bristol, Peterborough, and Brighton.

But with 76 cities scattered across the country, my thirst for discovery is far from quenched. For my cousin’s hen party, we opted for a quintessentially British getaway to one of the UK’s beloved destinations, Canterbury. This city in Kent is reputed for its lively nightlife, daytime activities, and historical landmarks.

Canterbury even secured an impressive 10th place in The Telegraph’s top 25 ranking of Britain’s best cities in 2024. Reflecting on its allure, a travel journalist noted: “With the conviviality of a market town, a cathedral for the ages, and a rich history due to its location, Canterbury rarely fails to dazzle visitors.

“This shouldn’t surprise anyone. After all, the Kentish ‘capital’ invented tourism, if that’s not too impolite a term for pilgrimages.” Despite the city’s seemingly ideal blend for tourists, my visit left me somewhat underwhelmed.

The “dazzlement” lauded by the writer eluded me; instead, I found it rather mundane. Having now ticked it off my list, I can confidently say I wouldn’t rush back, and here’s why.

Architecture and culture

The Telegraph praises the city’s wealth of green spaces, stating, “The city as a whole scores high on green spaces. St Augustine’s Abbey, the Roman Museum and Dane John mound add further layers of interest. Narrow medieval alleys, riverside gardens and ancient city walls complete the impressive architectural tableau and make the city a joy to walk around.”

This city is undeniably stunning. As soon as you step onto the cobbled streets and take in the plethora of Victorian and Gothic architecture, you feel like you’re travelling back in time.

This city is undeniably stunning. As soon as you step onto the cobbled streets and take in the plethora of Victorian and Gothic architecture, you feel like you’re travelling back in time.

The presence of fast food chains and familiar high street retailers within the city centre somewhat detracts from this historical atmosphere, but they do offer a contemporary touch to the old-world charm.

The highlight for me was wandering through the city centre’s narrow passages; they might be tight, but they’re utterly enchanting and bustling with life. Canterbury also boasts an impressive array of beautiful natural locations.

For a truly enchanting view of the city, I’d suggest taking the historic boat trip, where guides regale you with tales from its past. Despite its allure, I couldn’t help but feel slightly let down by the city’s small size; there are only so many sights to see, and after a while, the streets start to look similar, making the ‘medieval’ charm somewhat fleeting.

Our visit to the Cathedral was marred by an extraordinarily long queue and a steep weekend entry fee of £21, which felt excessive considering the ongoing renovations and restricted access to parts of the building.

Transport

As a Londoner, I’m always eager to evaluate the ease of navigation and efficiency of transport systems in different cities. The dreadful bus networks in Exeter and Milton Keynes, leaving you uncertain about your stop location or hoping that the blue dot on Google Maps doesn’t freeze during your journey, are the main reasons I’ve sworn never to return.

Our accommodation was merely a 20-minute stroll from the city centre; however, I was accompanied by two family members who couldn’t manage lengthy walks due to health issues. Despite being near the city’s heart, reaching a bus stop necessitated walking a greater distance than to our actual destination.

But this didn’t bother us much, as we were aware of our group’s needs and had agreed to use taxis and Ubers. However, Uber rarely functioned, and the local taxi services were equally disappointing.

Every time we called, they quoted a wait of 30 minutes to an hour and charged up to £16 for a 10-minute journey. Perhaps I’m pampered, but I’m accustomed to Uber’s efficiency, and these prolonged waiting times and prices spoiled our experience.

Nightlife

The Telegraph correspondent continued: “Canterbury has a lively student population and a good smattering of pubs (the oldest, The Parrot, pre-dates the famous pilgrims), restaurants, and independent shops- the King’s Mile is a superb example of old meets new, traditional and trendy. The Goods Shed might be the loveliest food hall-cum-farmer’s market in the land.”

The city’s major drawback is its heavy dependence on the student population for vibrancy and economic energy. We visited at the end of July, when the majority of students had returned home.

As a mid-twenty-something, I was somewhat pleased to know that I wouldn’t be mixing with 18-year-olds, but this proved to be a disadvantage. On a Saturday night, the streets were virtually empty, and the bars and clubs were similarly short of customers.

Despite encountering three other hen parties, it felt like a ghost town lacking in party-goers. There were a few clubs that had some visitors, but after 1 am, everyone made a dash for Maccies before heading home.

Britain’s top 10 cities, according to The Telegraph

1. Bath
2. Wells
3. Bristol
4. Oxford
5. Edinburgh
6. St Albans
7. Cambridge
8. Ripon
9. Worcester
10. Canterbury