Canterbury is one of the easiest cathedral cities to enjoy on a modest budget. The centre is walkable, so you rarely need transport, many of the best sights are free or low cost, and the seasons offer real savings. With a little planning you can fill three days with history, gardens and the coast for the price of one or two paid tickets.
Start with the free sights
The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is free, with galleries open Tuesday to Saturday and on Sunday afternoons, and it holds a mummified cat, a medieval murder story and good art. Westgate Gardens, Dane John Gardens and the Franciscan Gardens at Greyfriars Chapel cost nothing, and between them they give you river views, a landmark mound and a stretch of the medieval walls. St Martin's Church, one of the three World Heritage buildings, is free to enter when it is open, with donations welcome. The cathedral's choral Evensong, sung most days at half past five, is free as well, and it is one of the best-value experiences in England.
Choose the paid sights wisely
Cathedral admission is a single sightseeing ticket that is cheaper from October to March, and it can be turned into an annual pass that lets you return for a year, which is good value for a multi-day stay. St Augustine's Abbey offers a saver price when you book until midnight the day before, and English Heritage members enter free. The Westgate Towers and the Roman Museum are modestly priced, and children under five go free at the Roman Museum. Avoid paying for the same ground twice: the walking tour covers the exterior of the cathedral and the Precincts, so pick either the tour or the interior depending on what you want.
Go out of town for free
Reculver Towers on the Kent coast is free to visit, with a coast walk beside it. Whitstable is free to explore, and a stroll along the harbour and the Tankerton Slopes costs only your lunch. For the budget traveller without a car, the train to Whitstable is short, and the Wildwood Trust offers a discount on a standard ticket for visitors who arrive by train, bus or bike. Dover Castle and Leeds Castle are major day trips with higher ticket prices, so pick one rather than both, and book ahead for the discount where one is available.
Save on food
Picnics are the Canterbury budget secret. Buy bread, cheese and fruit from the shops on the High Street and eat them in Westgate Gardens or Dane John Gardens. Have your main meal at lunch, when some restaurants offer a set menu at a lower price, and keep dinner light. In Whitstable, the harbour huts sell seafood by the portion, which is usually cheaper than a sit-down meal.
Choose a budget base
Premier Inn Canterbury City Centre is the best-value central option, close to St Augustine's Abbey, with family rooms and a lift. Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel and The Ebury Hotel are on New Dover Road with free parking, which can save a lot if you are driving, and both are within a quarter of an hour of the cathedral on foot. The Pilgrims Hotel and Cathedral Gate Hotel offer free continental breakfast at mid-range prices, which also helps the budget. Book early for summer weekends and for Christmas, and look for flexible rates that allow free cancellation.
Travel smart
Walk everywhere in the centre. Come by train if you are travelling from London, since the high-speed service is quick, and avoid driving into the pedestrian zone. Visit in winter for lower cathedral prices and quiet streets, wrapping up warm, and take advantage of free events and Evensong. A three-day budget trip with two paid sights, free museums and gardens, and picnic lunches is easy to achieve.
A sample budget plan
Day one: free Evensong and a walk around the lanes, the Beaney in the morning and Westgate Gardens at lunchtime. Day two: the cathedral on a ticket that you can convert to an annual pass, with a picnic in Dane John Gardens and a climb up the mound. Day three: the train to Whitstable for a free harbour stroll, or Reculver Towers by car, with sandwiches in your bag. This sequence includes only one paid ticket and plenty of memorable moments, and it leaves room to splash out on a single special meal or a punt trip if you wish.