Green Canterbury

Even if Canterbury could be described as very cosmopolitan due to its important universities that attract hundreds of overseas students each year, is at the same time the typical English town that has not lost a single drop of its uniqueness despite this international recognition that becomes year by year more significant.



Maybe one of the most important characteristics of an English town is its recreational places represented mainly by that so called English garden. Every town no matter how small it might be has at least one central garden.

Dane John Gardens

As one of the most prominent towns of Kent, so called Garden of England, Canterbury has its main garden in Dane John. Located at walking distance from the city centre, just by the city walls and literally a minute away from Whitefriars shopping centre (important landmark to the great student population of Canterbury) Dane John Gardens is a fine piece of history in an abyss abounding in great past memories. The first mentions to this great park are dated back to 1551 but it is thought that the hill from where the entire city can be contemplated was there even in the first century AD. A defining year in the history of this great recreational site was 1790 when the mayor of the time James Simmons transformed the park into gardens. In 1999 Canterbury City Council invested £1 million to renovate the gardens, giving its present appearance.

Westgate Gardens

The other official public garden is Westgate. As the name suggests, it is located next to the West Gate Tower, just at the far end of the High Street. Situated on 11 acres along the banks of the River Stour, the Westgate Gardens mean an ideal mode of spending some of your spare time if you appreciate the nature as its best. It is the perfect setting for picnics and generally for open air events. How did this lovely little park begin to take shape? An important Canterbury businessman named Stephen Williamson bought the Tower House in 1886 and straight after began cultivating the gardens. In 1936 his grandson together with his wife Catherine Ellise Williamson gave the gardens to the municipality. In fact, back then, Catherine was a city councillor and her main responsibility was precisely the redevelopment of the house and gardens. Later, she became Canterbury’s first woman mayor, serving the city for 2 years from 1938 to 1940.
Dane John and Westgate gardens are Canterbury’s particular recreational spaces protected by the city council, but not the only sites where people could spend their free time without paying any money. Wherever you may look, there is a place where you could relax after a hard working day. Every neighbourhood has its own such place. Residents of Wincheap have a small but stylish park in Lime Kiln. There are basketball courts, a small football pitch, benches, and tables, enough to have some great time just minutes away from your house.
At the town’s east end lies King George’s Field, a great recreational area for the residents of Spring Lane. Another splendid park could be found in Saint Stephen’s area, close to the local Sainsbury. Besides its huge lawn, St Stephen’s Park offers one of the most beautiful views of the Cathedral.
That is not all that Canterbury has to offer in terms of ‘green recreation’, but only a little of it. A lot more similar places are yet to find. It is only up to you to do it.