St Augustine's Abbey

Ruins of the 6th-century monastery founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, marking Christianity's arrival in England. The abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538, leaving substantial Norman and medieval remains including the original abbey church foundations. It sits in Canterbury's Cathedral Quarter, close to the other main sights. It sits below the headline sights but earns its place on a longer visit to Canterbury, especially paired with nearby Canterbury Cathedral. Tickets cost £8.50 adult, £5.10 child and 1-2 hours is enough to see everything without rushing.

Priority: Medium - include with 2+ days Time needed: 1-2 hours Best for: see where english christianity began Skip if: You prefer intact buildings to ruins or have difficulty walking on uneven surfaces Cost: £8.50 adult, £5.10 child

You walk through grassy fields dotted with substantial stone walls and foundations. The Great Hall remains show the abbey's medieval grandeur, while excavated foundations reveal the original 6th-century wooden church layout.

Accessibility: Partial wheelchair access to main paths, museum fully accessible, some ruins areas uneven

See where English Christianity began and walk through 1000-year-old abbey foundations. It is not the first thing you should see in Canterbury, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Canterbury Cathedral and The King's School - together they fill a solid half-day. Afternoon tends to work best here.

Skip if: You prefer intact buildings to ruins or have difficulty walking on uneven surfaces

• Combine with Canterbury Cathedral for better value.
• Audio guide essential to understand the layout.
• Wear sturdy shoes for uneven ground.

Insider tip: The museum houses Anglo-Saxon artifacts found on site, including 8th-century carved stones

Excellent for wide-angle shots of ruins against Canterbury skyline, no restrictions