St Augustine's Abbey
The ruins of an abbey founded in 598 by St Augustine, the birthplace of Christianity in England and part of a World Heritage Site.
St Augustine founded the abbey after being sent by the Pope to convert England, and early kings of Kent and Archbishops of Canterbury were buried here. After Henry VIII dissolved the abbey, most of it was demolished. What remains are the wall foundations, underground burial chambers and a museum gallery with an audio guide telling the story of the Anglo-Saxon conversion. It is managed by English Heritage. Admission is about £10, and it is a five-minute walk from the cathedral.
Opening hours
Apr–Sep daily 10:00–17:00; open weekends in winter
Nearby sights
- Canterbury Cathedral
- Canterbury Roman Museum
- The King's Mile & Palace Street
- St Martin's Church
- The Canterbury Tales Experience
- The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge
- Eastbridge Hospital
- Marlowe Theatre