Dane John Gardens and the City Walls

Dane John Gardens is the green heart of the southern side of Canterbury, and it sits right against some of the best-preserved stretches of the city walls. The park has fountains, tree-lined paths, lawns and a cafe, and it is dominated by the Dane John Mound, a steep hill topped by a monument that gives views over the cathedral and the rooftops. The mound is thought to have origins as an ancient burial mound that was later reused as a Norman castle motte. Beside it, the city walls, which follow the line of the Roman defences and were rebuilt in the Middle Ages, rise above the gardens in long runs of flint and stone with the remains of towers. Walking along the wall and climbing the mound turns a few quiet minutes into a lesson in how Canterbury was defended, and it costs nothing.

The simplest plan is a loop of about half an hour to an hour. Enter the gardens from the ring road side, wander through the fountains and lawns, climb the spiral path up the mound for the view, then pick up the walls and follow them along the edge of the park.

Some sections of the wall can be walked along the top and others are best appreciated from the ground, so follow the signs and use the steps provided. The surface can be uneven, and the mound is steep, so wear shoes with grip and take care in wet weather.

Dane John is also a practical place to rest. There is a cafe in the gardens, and picnic spots are easy to find on sunny days, which makes it a good break between the cathedral and the abbey or a place to let children run after a museum. Open lawns suit families, and the gardens are usually at their best in spring and early autumn when the trees are in colour.

Markets and community events are held in the park from time to time, so you may find it livelier on some weekends. The gardens are open to walk through in daylight, but check local signs about gates and hours.

For a longer outing, follow the walls further round the city. Substantial sections survive on the east and south sides, with gates and towers that tell the story of the medieval city. A self-guided walk around the walls is a good way to see parts of Canterbury that most day visitors miss, and it fits neatly with a stroll to St Martin's Church or St Augustine's Abbey.

The gardens sit a few minutes from the cathedral on foot and close to Canterbury East station, so they are one of the easiest free sights to reach on arrival or departure. Combine the climb with a picnic bought on the High Street, and you have a cheap and memorable hour.

A few extra notes will help. The mound is the highest point in the southern half of the city, so on a clear day the view reaches across the rooftops to the cathedral and the countryside beyond. Take a camera at sunset, when the stone of the walls turns warm, and bring a jacket because the top of the mound is exposed to the wind.

Cyclists and dog walkers share the paths, so keep an eye out as you stroll. The gardens are a gentle introduction to the city for new arrivals and a restful farewell before a train home.