Nigel's Photo Blog

Introduction Welcome to Canterbury, an ancient and historic city in S.E. England parts of which have been declared a World Heritage Site.   Skyline with Cathedral tower. Information on Canterbury Canterbury has a population of about 43,500 and is situated about 65 miles (105 km) S.E. of London . The name means ‘stronghold or fortified town of the people of Kent.’ There has been occupation on the current site dating back about 2000 years to pre-Roman times. Today, Canterbury is best known through its Cathedral which is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church. City centre The location was occupied in the pre-Roman, Iron Age era. The Romans occupied Britain from AD 43- AD 410 during which time Canterbury was known as Durovernum Cantiacorum, apparently a non-military, civilian settlement. In AD 597 missionaries from Rome converted the King of Kent to Christianity and established a Cathedral subsequent to which Canterbury has been the se...

This evening, I am posting information on Canterbury, a historic English cathedral city which is located about sixty three miles S.E. of London. The settlement can be traced back to Roman times but the name is a blend of ancient Celtic and Old English. In AD 900 the name was Cantwaraburg which translates as 'Stronghold or fortified town of the people of Kent'. (Kent is a county which was settled by Scandinavian peoples in the 5th century following the collapse of Roman power in Britain.) Canterbury skyline with Cathedral tower The focus of this post is a one day visit with emphasis on the famous Cathedral, the centre of Anglican (Episcopalian) Christianity. Information on Canterbury Cathedral Richly decorated entrance gate This is the centre of the worldwide Anglican Communion. As a place of Christian worship the site dates from AD 597 when the king of Kent was converted to Christianity and Augustine consecrated as Archbishop. Since that time the Cathedral has been the...