A Medieval Escape Just Under an Hour from London: Why Canterbury Still Wins the Day Trip Game

London will always have our hearts, but let’s be honest – sometimes we all need a breather. Not a flight. Not an expensive overnight stay. Just a quick train ride that drops you into a different pace of life. And one place nails it every single time: Canterbury.

In just under an hour – 54 minutes to be exact – from St Pancras, you’ll find yourself walking cobbled lanes surrounded by centuries of English history. Canterbury isn’t just old – it’s alive with stories, from Thomas Becket’s martyrdom at the grand cathedral to the quiet creak of ancient pubs where locals sip their ale like it’s part of a ritual.

Sure, it’s known for its religious and literary roots (yes, Chaucer’s fingerprints are all over it), but Canterbury today is a mix of the timeless and the trendy. You’ve got cozy boutiques, independent eateries, crooked timber-frame taverns, and even a juke box bar that’ll surprise you.

Pro tip? Grab a pint at The Old Buttermarket. Sit outside. Watch life go by. And if you’re still up for exploring, swing by the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, grab brunch at the Refectory Kitchen, or just lose yourself in the old lanes.

With Cambridge and Brighton following close behind, Canterbury still takes the crown for best quick getaway from London. And frankly, once you go – you’ll get why.