Canterbury features [51]

Image: © Michael Dibb Taken: 13 Sep 2021

Along Broad Street, stands an impressive run of the city walls. First built by the Romans and retained by the Anglo-Saxons, defending Canterbury against the Vikings. Fearing a French invasion in 1363, the walls were rebuilt in stone, incorporating the older walls where they still remained. Pressure from urban development in the 18th and 19th centuries led to extensive parts of the walled circuit being demolished. German bombing during the Second World War caused further damage. Despite this, the remaining walls and gatehouse survived the post-war redevelopment intact, and some portions were rebuilt entirely. Over half the original circuit survives, enclosing an area of 130 acres. A Scheduled Ancient Monument with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1003554 Canterbury is a small historic city on the River Stour in Kent, some 54 miles southeast of London. Occupied since prehistoric times, it became an important Roman city. In 672, the see of Canterbury gained authority over the entire English Church. After the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket at the cathedral in 1170, pilgrims from all parts of Christendom came to visit his shrine until the Dissolution. Today, Canterbury is a popular tourist destination and one of the most-visited cities in the United Kingdom. The city has a substantial student population, with four university campuses.

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