The ancient city of Canterbury in Kent has become a magnet for foodies every September thanks to its annual Canterbury Food & Drink Festival at Dane John Gardens, which brings together some of the best food and drink producers in the Kent area for three days of gluttony.
And for your day to day needs, look no further than The Good Shed daily farmers’ market, food hall and restaurant offering everything from fresh vegetables and traditionally reared meat to artisanal cheeses and vegetarian and vegan food. Canterbury also hosts its Green Shoots Market on Wednesdays and Fridays at St George’s Street offering everything from fruit and vegetables to cut flowers.
Best known for its cathedral - the oldest in England - Canterbury is also home to the ancient ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s Church, which form the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as other ancient ruins such as the castle.
Canterbury might be steeped in history, but these days the East Kent county is a vibrant and forward thinking city with a strong selection of independent retailers gathered within its King’s Mile, St Dunstan’s, West Gate Towers and Northgate shopping areas, as well as a wide range of cafés, tea rooms, restaurants and pubs to suit all tastes. The Old Buttermarket is a pub famous for its secret tunnels, which were dug by monks to escape from the cathedral, and is now best known for its real ales and good pub food.
Just outside Canterbury in Bridge, meanwhile, can be found Bridge Farmers’ Market, which opens every second and fourth Saturday of the month at the Red Lion Inn, and sells meat, game, vegetables, fudge, chocolate and juice, all from within 30 miles of Bridge in Kent.
