Canterbury

Local information for Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Sturry and Chartham

The Canterbury district covers the cathedral city of Canterbury and the seaside towns of Whitstable and Herne Bay, with a population of around 157,000. Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making the city a significant destination for those interested in English ecclesiastical history and medieval architecture.

The district combines its historical importance with a substantial student population, as the city hosts both the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. On the coast, Whitstable maintains its working harbour and continues its long association with oyster fishing, while Herne Bay offers a traditional seaside experience on the north Kent coast.

Council and local democracy

Getting around

Railway stations in the area include Canterbury East, Canterbury West, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Sturry, Chartham. Canterbury West has high-speed services to London St Pancras; Whitstable and Herne Bay are on the north Kent coast line.

The main roads serving Canterbury are the A2, A28, A290 and A291.

Health and emergency services

The main hospital is Kent and Canterbury Hospital, run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

Neighbouring areas

Swale · Thanet · Dover · Ashford

News from Canterbury

Kent News Hub’s local news coverage for Canterbury is in development. This page will grow to carry Canterbury reporting alongside the reference information above. See all Kent areas.