Your guide, Dr Geoff is an expert on medieval church architecture and has written a book on the subject. With this expertise, your guide will show you all of the features of this great building. You will learn not only why it was built but how.
You will also learn about the fact that this cathedral was a murder scene! In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was killed by four knights who cut him down inside. Was King Henry II really to blame? You decide! You will see where this happened and see where the shrine to the Saint was created.
You will also learn about why Canterbury was such an important place in English history. Dr Geoff explains everything in an easy-to-understand way which has earned him consistent 5-Star Tripadvisor ratings on his other tour.
We depart London Victoria at 8:30 am by train. This is the fastest way to leave London for Canterbury and the only way to avoid London's traffic. We will soon head across the Thames and into the very historic county of Kent. From the comfort of the train, you will pass through the picturesque Kent countryside. After the 90-minute train ride, we will arrive at Canterbury a true medieval walled city. It is a very leisurely 8-minute walk from the Station. Upon entering the Cathedral you will be overwhelmed by the sheer scale and magnificence of this World Heritage Site. It is simply breathtaking to see the glory of the stone vaulting, the grandeur, the artistry, craftsmanship of this church. It was built over centuries and Dr Geoff will explain the differences that you will see. After our tour, the group will have a choice to eat at a 500-year-old pub in Canterbury. We then head, by bus to the charming village of Hever, Kent which Anne Boleyn called home before marrying Henry VIII.
You will make your own way to the meeting points