St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury

Name: St Augustine's Abbey
Address: St. Augustines Abbey Longport, Canterbury, CT1 1PF, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 370 333 1181

#2 among attractions in Canterbury

Unesco, Monastery, Top attraction, Romanesque architecture, More...

Gallery (15)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Nessy-Pic / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ealdgyth / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Rotatebot / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ealdgyth / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Nilfanion / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ealdgyth / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Adam Bishop / URL

Facts and practical information

St Augustine's Abbey, a serene vestige of early Christianity in England, stands as a historical sanctuary in the bustling city of Canterbury. Founded in 598 AD by St Augustine during his mission to convert the Anglo-Saxons, this monastery was once a pivotal center of learning and piety.

Though much of the original structure has succumbed to the passage of time, the evocative ruins that remain are a testament to the Abbey's former glory. Visitors can wander through the expansive site, tracing the outlines of the ancient church and monastic buildings, and envisioning the lives of the monks who once inhabited them.

The Abbey's significance is underscored by its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside Canterbury Cathedral and St Martin's Church. It is a magnet for those interested in ecclesiastical history and architecture, offering a tangible connection to England's spiritual heritage.

A visit to St Augustine's Abbey is not only an educational experience but also an opportunity for reflection. The peaceful grounds, with well-preserved artifacts and informative displays, provide a detailed narrative of the Abbey's evolution from its founding to its dissolution under King Henry VIII in 1538.

Alternative names: Unesco: from 1988Area: 20.81 acres (0.0325 mi²)Architectural style: GothicCoordinates: 51°16'41"N, 1°5'18"E

Address

St. Augustines Abbey LongportCanterbury CT1 1PF United Kingdom

Contact

+44 370 333 1181

Website

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Day trips

St Augustine's Abbey – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Canterbury Cathedral, St Martin's Church, Canterbury Roman Museum, Canterbury city walls.

0.4 miW
Norman-era building with ornate windows
Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury
12 min walk • Canterbury Cathedral, a beacon of English history and spirituality, stands in the heart of the medieval city of Canterbury, England. This majestic cathedral is the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a...
~1240 ftE
Landmark, 6th-century place of worship
St Martin's Church, Canterbury
6 min walk • The Church of St Martin is an ancient Church of England parish church in Canterbury, England, situated slightly beyond the city centre.
~1560 ftW
Museum, History museum
Canterbury Roman Museum, Canterbury
8 min walk • The Canterbury Roman Museum in Canterbury, Kent, houses a Roman pavement which is a scheduled monument, in the remains of a Roman courtyard house which itself is a grade I listed building. The pavement was discovered after World War II bombing, and has been open to the public since 1946. The museum was established in 1961.
0.6 miW
City wall
Canterbury city walls, Canterbury
16 min walk • Canterbury city walls are a sequence of defensive walls built around the city of Canterbury in Kent, England. The first city walls were built by the Romans, probably between 270 and 280 AD.
0.8 miS
Sport venue, Sport
St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
21 min walk • The St Lawrence Ground is a cricket ground in Canterbury, Kent. It is the home ground of Kent County Cricket Club and since 2013 has been known as The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, due to commercial sponsorship.
0.5 miW
Park
Greyfriars, Canterbury
13 min walk • Greyfriars in Canterbury was the first Franciscan friary in England. The first Franciscans arrived in the country in 1224 and the friary was set up soon afterwards.
~1490 ftW
Shopping centre, Shopping
Whitefriars Shopping Centre, Canterbury
8 min walk • Whitefriars Shopping Centre is a shopping centre in Canterbury, Kent, England. It is the biggest shopping centre in East Kent.
0.4 miSW
Garden, Park
Dane John Mound, Canterbury
12 min walk • The Dane John Mound, also known as the Dane John Gardens, is a former Roman cemetery in the city of Canterbury, Kent. It was converted into a motte-and-bailey castle in the 11th century, and turned into a civic park between 1790 and 1803.
0.6 miW
Forts and castles, Historical place
Canterbury Castle, Canterbury
16 min walk • Canterbury Castle is a Norman Castle in Canterbury, Kent, England. It is a five-minute walk from Canterbury East Station and main bus station around City Wall. Canterbury Castle was one of the three original Royal castles of Kent.
0.4 miW
Museum, Art museum, Tudor Revival architecture
The Beaney, Canterbury
11 min walk • The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is the central museum, library and art gallery of the city of Canterbury, Kent, England. It is housed in a Grade II listed building. Until it closed for refurbishment in 2009, it was known as the Beaney Institute or the Royal Museum and Art Gallery. It reopened under its new name in September 2012.
0.5 miW
Museum
Canterbury Heritage Museum, Canterbury
13 min walk • The Canterbury Heritage Museum was a museum in Stour Street, Canterbury, South East England, telling the history of the city. It was housed in the 12th-century Poor Priests' Hospital next to the River Stour.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is St Augustine's Abbey open?

St Augustine's Abbey is open:

Monday closed
Tuesday closed
Wednesday closed
Thursday closed
Friday closed
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday 10 am - 4 pm

Which popular attractions are close to St Augustine's Abbey?

Nearby attractions include St Augustine's College, Canterbury (2 min walk), Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury (3 min walk), HM Prison Canterbury, Canterbury (4 min walk), Canterbury College, Canterbury (5 min walk).

How to get to St Augustine's Abbey by public transport?

The nearest stations to St Augustine's Abbey:

Bus

Whitefriars • Lines: El450, P2 (8 min walk)
Canterbury Bus Station (8 min walk)

Train

Canterbury East (16 min walk)
Canterbury West (18 min walk)