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Canterbury Cathedral – Canterbury Cathedral, is
just a glorious example of soaring Gothic architecture and medieval stained
glass windows. But there's more – the cathedral is also the spot where
Thomas a Becket was murdered (on King Henry II's inadvertent request). The
shrine to Becket became a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages – and
Canterbury Cathedral Priory was a great monastery. And centuries before,
in 597 A.D. St. Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, arrived from
Rome to set up a church on this site. Kids will be impressed with this medieval
cathedral. |
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Don't miss the statues of English kings on the screen between
the nave and choir, and the tomb of Edward, the Black Prince. The cathedral
has wonderful acoustics for concerts – it's spine-tingling to hear
the great pipe organ played. Plus, ringing the bells in the towers. |
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Outside the cathedral, wander around the Great Cloister, imagining
monks at work – illuminating manuscripts or instructing novices. Check
out the lovely stained glass in the Chapter House. |
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Walk around Canterbury – Climb up the West Gate Tower,
the only original gate of the medieval city, for a great view of the cathedral
and city panorama. Stroll around town through small windy streets,
(cars aren't allowed in the center of town during the day), lots of medieval,
Tudor, 18th century house fronts. Cross the Stour River to High Street,
once on the main route from London to Dover. |
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Roman Museum (Longmarket) – An underground museum
that takes you back 2,000 years, when Canterbury was an outpost of the Roman
empire. Find out about the Roman town, excavated underneath the Longmarket
Shopping Center – see what shopping and home life was like in Roman
times. Hands-on activities and games for kids. |
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Canterbury Castle – Run round the crumbling ruins
of the Norman keep. Originally an 11th century motte and bailey,
the stone castle was built in the 12th century, but quickly became the county
jail (not terribly comfortable for the prisoners). |
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A train ride
to Canterbury takes an exciting turn for Joe Bink when he's whisked
into town on a bewitched tricycle that puts him down in the middle
of the Dead-nettle witch's coven. Joe and Twiggy, an untidy young
witch, set out on an adventure, filled with all sorts of witches,
potions in jam-jars, a whispering windsprite and nutsy librarian,
to find who's trying to silence the world of magic. A sparkling
story. (Chapter book)
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Retelling
of four high-spirited stories from Geoffrey Chauncer's Canterbury
Tales – a talkative fox and a cocky rooster, three greedy
wastrels meet Death, a knight learns to love his wife, a squire
finds honor. Fabulous, detailed illustrations. Good for older kids.
(Chapter book, illustrations)
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Charming
adaptation from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the story of
Chanticleer, a regal rooster with feathers like burnished gold.
Chanticleer crows with joy, until the wily fox tricks him into singing
with his eyes closed. Bold, colorful illustrations. (Picture book)
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Before
you visit the Great Cloister or Chapter House, find out what it
was like to live in a monastery in the Middle Ages – getting
up at 2am for prayers, eating in silence, illuminating manuscripts
(monks) or embroidering vestments (nuns), plus a mini-bio of St.
Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury. Wonderful historical
illustrations. Good for older kids. (Illustrated chapter book)
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(More children's
books on other England pages) |
