Shared Historic Tour

Canterbury’s rich history told with insight and humour.

Availability

Our Shared Historic Tours have now closed for the winter. 2025 tours will be available to book online soon.

All of our online bookings are currently for shared tours.

Private tours can be booked by emailing us at info@canterburyrivertours.co.uk or calling us on 07790 534 744.

 

About the Tour

Experience this fascinating Canterbury visitor attraction and discover the city’s unique history from a different angle on one of our guided river tours. Sit back and relax as our tour guides take you under the King’s Bridge, one of the oldest working road bridges in Britain, up towards the hidden serenity of the Greyfriars’ Island, once the home to the Franciscans, one of Canterbury’s many religious orders.

As you journey back downstream, you pass by sites such as the sixteenth century Old Weavers’ House as well as our replica ducking stool, an infamous part of England’s long and turbulent history.

Past the Marlowe Theatre, the newest addition to Canterbury’s skyline, you are treated to such views as the old Blackfriars’ Monastery, now a proud extension to the prestigious King’s School, which connects onto the scenic and quiet Solly’s Orchard.

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Great

Guide: Roy

Great entertainment. Our “captain” Roy was brilliant. The time passed in a flash and we all left with smiling faces. We gained a great amount of history from the trip

Date of experience September 2024
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Recommended

Well worth taking this trip, the guide gave an excellent commentary & was able to answer our questions. It was so interesting to learn about the history of Canterbury & something of what life was like in the Medieval times

Date of experience September 2024
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No one should miss this trip when they visit Canterbury

Guide: Oliver

We had an excellent trip with Oliver. He gave us lots of information about the history of Canterbury and the route followed by the boat. It was a unique experience and something that no visitor to Canterbury should miss.

Date of experience October 2024
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Great Experience

It was a pleasure to take part in this tour - it was an amazing experience. The weather was great and we had a chance to discover new places in Canterbury from a different perspective.

Date of experience October 2024
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Funny and informative

Leon, our guide, was funny and knowledgeable. Great tour would definitely recommend. Got good information and history of the area.

Date of experience October 2024
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Excellent river tour

Our tour guide was very informative and gave us lots of interesting facts. The tour takes you to a part of Canterbury that you wouldn’t normally see. Well worth the money.

Date of experience November 2024

How to book your tour

Please simply follow the instructions below/opposite to book one of our multi-award winning river tours.

Select Your Tour
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Need help?Call us on 0044 (0)1227 379 600 or 0044 (0)7790 534 744

Canterbury's Perfect Visitor Attraction
For Visiting Groups

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1. View our availability and book online (or call)

Find your perfect tour and time and book your places online. We only accept online bookings for our Historic tour 2 hours in advance or 48 hours in advance for Evening tours, though we may be able to accommodate you if you call or email us within those timeframes.

2. You’ll receive your E-ticket via email

Within a few minutes, you’ll receive your booking confirmation to your email. This contains your e-ticket which you can print or show on your phone.

3. Meet at the King’s Bridge on Canterbury's High Street, between the Old Weavers’ House and ASK restaurant

Bring your ticket to our jetty around 5-10 minutes before your allocated time, then sit back and enjoy the tour.

Find our friendly crew on the King’s Bridge on Canterbury’s High Street

(in-between ASK and the Old Weavers’ Restaurant)

You can find us on the King’s Bridge every day from around 10-10.30am until 5pm. Our Chilling Tales tour will be available on selected evenings during the last couple of weeks of October 2023.

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Award-winning tours

LTG European Awards Winner
VisitEngland Quality Assured Tour
VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Gold Accolade

“One of Kent & Canterbury’s Favourite Things to do!”

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