Greyfriars Chapel and the Franciscan Gardens

Greyfriars Chapel is one of the most unusual and peaceful corners of Canterbury, and one of the least visited. It is the only surviving building of the first Franciscan friary in England, founded when the followers of St Francis arrived in Canterbury in the thirteenth century. The little chapel is built over a branch of the River Stour, so the water runs beneath it, and it sits in the Franciscan Gardens, a secluded riverside garden with lawns, borders and mature trees. It is only a short walk from the busy High Street, yet the atmosphere is very different, with birdsong and the sound of the river. The chapel and gardens are a restful stop that tells a different part of the medieval story, one focused on simplicity, poverty and service rather than on power and pilgrimage.

Access to the chapel is seasonal and limited, and opening days and times can change, so treat a visit as a pleasant bonus and check before relying on it. The gardens are the easier part of the visit and are generally open to walk through when the grounds are open, with free entry.

In spring and summer the borders and lawns are at their best, and the shade of the trees makes it a welcome retreat on a hot day. Take a picnic or a takeaway coffee and sit by the river for a few minutes.

Allow about thirty minutes, longer if you want to read the information boards or sit for a while. The setting is also a good vantage point for seeing the Stour as it winds through the city. The site is close to Stour Street and the Eastbridge area, so it fits with a stroll through the quieter southern lanes of the old centre. Wheelchair access varies, as the gardens and chapel were laid out long before modern access standards, so check with the venue about step-free routes if you need them.

Greyfriars suits visitors who enjoy quiet places, gardens and the humbler side of medieval history. It works well after a busy morning at the cathedral, or as the final stop on a walking tour of the old centre. The nearby Beaney and Roman Museum are within a few minutes, and the High Street is close enough for lunch.

Photographers like the way the chapel spans the water, and children enjoy the novelty of a building over a river. It is not a destination on its own, but as part of a gentle day on foot it adds a calm, memorable counterpoint to the grander sights, and it rarely feels crowded even in high season.

One more thing to consider is the surroundings. The Franciscan Gardens are tucked behind buildings and reached by a short, easily missed approach, so use a map or ask at the information desk if you cannot find the entrance. The setting is at its best on a quiet weekday or a sunny weekend morning, and it is particularly pretty in spring.

If you enjoy photography, the contrast of the stone chapel, the flowing water and the garden beds makes for lovely pictures, and the lack of crowds means you can take your time without anyone behind you.