Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel sits on New Dover Road, on the quieter eastern side of the historic centre, and offers something rare for Canterbury: free parking. It is a three-class hotel with a bar, a garden, a terrace and a lobby fireplace, and it has one of the widest ranges of rooms of any hotel in the city, from standard singles to family rooms and a junior suite with a four-poster bed. The walk to the cathedral takes about fifteen minutes, and St Martin's Church is only nine, so it is a sensible base for travellers who want space and easy parking close to the World Heritage buildings.
Location and getting around
The hotel is about nine minutes on foot from St Martin's Church, ten from Canterbury Christ Church University and fifteen from the cathedral. The Marlowe Theatre and Westgate Gardens are around eighteen minutes away, and Canterbury East station is about seventeen minutes, with Canterbury West a little further. The route into town is straightforward and mostly flat, and a short taxi ride is easy if the weather is poor. St Augustine's Abbey is also within an easy walk, which suits a day that starts with the quieter World Heritage sites.
Rooms and what to ask for
There are about fourteen room types, from standard and classic rooms with single, double or twin beds, through deluxe, executive and superior rooms with king beds, to family rooms and a junior suite with a four-poster. A superior room can sleep four with a king bed and a twin bunk bed, which suits families with children.
Rooms have free WiFi, televisions, kettles, desks and toiletries. Free parking is a real advantage if you arrive by car, and the hotel allows pets up to a small number per room for a nightly fee, so it works for visitors travelling with dogs. Check-in is in the afternoon and runs late into the evening.
Who it suits and what to know: families, motorists and travellers who value space and a garden over a front-door position in the centre will like it. Breakfast is available at an extra charge, and a restaurant is shown, but recent guests have reported that the restaurant is closed or being renovated, so confirm with the hotel what food is on offer before you arrive and have a back-up dinner plan.
The garden and terrace are pleasant on a warm evening, and the bar is useful after a day of sightseeing. The hotel is also set up for weddings and meetings. If you plan to drive to Leeds Castle or Dover Castle, the free parking and straightforward road out of Canterbury make this one of the better-placed hotels for day trips.
Why stay here
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Garden and terrace
- ✓Bar
- ✓Lobby fireplace
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Family rooms
- ✓Pets allowed for a fee
- ✓Luggage storage
Good questions
Does Best Western Abbots Barton have free parking?+
Yes, self parking is free, which is unusual for Canterbury. Nearby parking is also described as free.
Can I bring a pet to Abbots Barton?+
Cats and dogs are allowed, up to a small number per room, for a nightly fee. Service animals are exempt.
How far is Abbots Barton from the cathedral?+
It is about fifteen minutes on foot, and St Martin's Church is around nine. Check whether the restaurant is open when you book.
