For charming cobbled streets, beautiful old buildings, and peaceful punting tours, Cambridge might be the first city that springs to mind. However, it’s not the only choice. A “fairytale” city in Kent has charmed visitors looking for a “lovely day out” from nearby London.
Canterbury, in east Kent, has “historic streets”, a “stunning cathedral” and “peaceful views along the River Stour.” Travellers visiting from further afield can get to Canterbury West station from St Pancras in under an hour on the high-speed line, and the station is a short walk from the town centre.
TikTok user @mynextdestination.co.uk praised the city in a viral video. The video caption said: “Canterbury makes a lovely day trip from London, just an hour and a half away.
“On a sunny day the city feels magical – you can wander its historic streets, admire the stunning cathedral, and enjoy peaceful views along the River Stour. With plenty of cafés and gardens to stop at, it’s the kind of place that’s easy to explore at a relaxed pace.”
The video showcased several attractions, including Canterbury Cathedral, the city’s cosy shops, and Westgate Gardens, one of the locations in Canterbury where visitors can enjoy punting trips.
Visit Canterbury describes Westgate Gardens as “Canterbury’s idyllic public park.” The tourist website writes: “The Westgate Gardens Canterbury attract thousands of visitors every year, as they are famous for the incredible colourful floral displays dotted along the banks of the River Stour, against the imposing backdrop of the ancient Westgate Towers and surrounded by picturesque remnants of a medieval folly.
“The park is popular but never feels overcrowded with plenty of space to explore and soak up the scenery. It has become famous for inspiring a scene in the anime series Sakura Quest, and attracts many anime fans as the flowers come into bloom.”
On TripAdvisor, the park is rated as the second-best attraction in Canterbury. One reviewer wrote: “A poetic and picturesque garden. It’s hard not to be drawn to the picturesque Westgate Gardens when visiting Canterbury.
“The place feels like a fairytale — with punting similar to what you’d find in Cambridge, adding even more charm and poetry to the scene. I took so many photos there, but trust me, nothing compares to seeing it in person. If you come to Canterbury, Westgate Gardens is an absolute must-visit.”
Another visitor said: “The gardens are beautiful to walk through. At the end of the gardens, you can connect to another footpath, which takes you to the Canterbury Punting Co. Lunch, a walk through the busy town, then through the gardens and finish off with a relaxing punting tour. Perfect!”
Westgate Punts is also popular on TripAdvisor, where it has been given a 2025 Travellers’ Choice award. One happy customer said: “A brilliant relaxing experience. The river is so clean. The gentleman doing all the work was knowledgeable about the river, the wildlife and surroundings. The children loved it.”
A second added: “What a excellent experience! So tranquil punting down the river and relaxing. James our Punter was fabulous, polite, gentle and so very knowledgeable. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.”