Canterbury is compact, and almost any central hotel puts you within a short walk of the cathedral, so the right choice is less about distance and more about atmosphere, budget and parking. Our five hotels cluster in four small areas. Here is how to choose. All five are within about a quarter of an hour on foot of the cathedral, and none needs a taxi for sightseeing. Canterbury East and Canterbury West stations are both close, so arriving by train is easy and a car is rarely worth the trouble.
The Cathedral Precincts: the quiet splurge
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge sits inside the Precincts, about two minutes from the cathedral. It has a restaurant, a garden, a library and courtyard-view rooms, and it is the place for couples and anyone who wants to wake up beside the cathedral. Parking is limited, so ask in advance, and note that some value rooms have no lift and about forty steps.
Burgate: the cathedral gate
Cathedral Gate Hotel is a one minute walk from the cathedral gateway, a traditional guesthouse-style hotel with free continental breakfast, a terrace and garden, and a mix of ensuite and shared-bathroom rooms. It suits travellers who value atmosphere and a short walk over modern gloss, and it has paid parking, which is rare for such a central address.
The High Street: the stylish centre
ABode Canterbury is at 30 to 33 High Street, three minutes from the cathedral and two from the Marlowe Theatre. It combines a historic building with boutique style, a brasserie and a champagne bar, and air-conditioned rooms. It is the best choice if you like the buzz of the centre, but the High Street can be lively on weekend evenings, so ask for a quieter room.
The Friars: the theatre quarter
The Pilgrims Hotel stands on The Friars, one minute from the Marlowe Theatre and four from the cathedral, with free continental breakfast, a bar and cafe, and rooms that range from singles to four-poster doubles and suites. It is a flexible mid-range pick. The area is a no-cars zone, so if you are driving, plan ahead and use a public car park.
New Dover Road: the abbey end
Premier Inn Canterbury City Centre is three minutes from St Augustine's Abbey and eight from the cathedral, with family triple and quadruple rooms, a lift and a restaurant. It sits slightly outside the pedestrian core, which makes it quieter, and it is the best value in the city for families and budget travellers. Parking is limited and charged per night.
How to choose
For a romantic cathedral stay, choose the Lodge. For a stylish city break, pick ABode. For value with free breakfast, the Pilgrims Hotel and Cathedral Gate Hotel are the two to compare, and for families on a budget, the Premier Inn is hard to beat. If you plan day trips to Leeds Castle or Dover Castle, ask about parking and consider the stations, which are a short walk from most of these hotels. Book early for summer weekends and for the Christmas period, when rooms in the centre sell out.
