Mothering Sunday Surprise

Britannia Coaches Canterbury River Mothers Day

Canterbury River Mothers Day

Mothering Sunday is a day to show love, gratitude and appreciation to all the wonderful mums everywhere. Treat your mum by giving her a truly unique and memorable day out in Canterbury. Admire the finest stunning architecture and world famous buildings of the ancient walled city. Stroll along the many narrow streets, dating back to medieval times. Highlights of the Anglo-Saxon period include the remains of cobbled roads, perhaps the origins of Canterbury’s street plan today.

Whitefriars is Canterbury’s award-winning shopping district, with over 70 of the country’s leading fashion and lifestyle retailers. It is located in a pleasant, open environment in the heart of the city. Mum can enjoy a free glass of bubbly over the Mother’s Day weekend, after shopping in Whitefriars Square. Whitefriars is located on the site of a former monastic complex occupied by the Austin friars, or ‘white’ friars, whose monastery was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538.

Whitefriars in Canterbury

Whitefriars in Canterbury

Take a historic river tour along the beautiful River Stour, for the perfect way to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of one of the country’s busiest city centres. The River Stour flows through the heart of historic Canterbury and offers a unique vantage point to some of Canterbury’s most stunning and important architecture. As you sit back to enjoy the trip, the guides present historical facts of the passing buildings and monuments, with a light-hearted, enjoyable commentary, whilst also discovering some of Canterbury’s finest architecture, set against outstanding views of natural scenery. Enjoy stories as you meander through the nooks and crannies of the hidden waterways, learning about the old witches dunking seat, or the old trade routes that snake under the city. The Stour is not only a river, but canals dug by the Romans as well.

Champagne for Mother's Day

Champagne for Mother’s Day

Every Mum deserves some time to relax. Enjoy a delicious Mothering Sunday lunch at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, situated in the inspirational grounds of Canterbury Cathedral. Take the opportunity to let mum marvel in the awe-inspiring Cathedral grounds. She will be truly spoiled. You may contemplate the many historic figures that walked there before you, including kings and queens, archbishops and writers. The fine stained glass windows are considered the most important medieval, stained glass series in England.

Canterbury’s timeless appeal may be characterised by its cathedral and status as a World Heritage Site, but the city remains a modern and vibrant cultural centre.

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge boasts state-of-the-art exhibition galleries, excellent learning facilities and a varied programme of interactive events for all ages. It is also home to one of Canterbury’s most famous artists, the Victorian animal painter Thomas Sidney Cooper.

The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury

Picture Credit – visitkent.co.uk

After a busy afternoon, why not take mum to enjoy a show at the city’s theatre and concert hall. The Marlowe Theatre is named after Christopher Marlowe, who was born in the city in Elizabethan times. The theatre is located in The Friars, just off Canterbury High Street. A landscaped, riverside walk with charming views connects the Marlowe directly to the banks of the River Stour.

Canterbury’s role as one of the world’s most important pilgrimage centers in Europe is inextricably linked to the murder of its most famous Archbishop, Thomas Becket. The cathedral city was one of medieval Europe’s great places of pilgrimages and knowledge. Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories in a frame story, between 1387 and 1400. It is the story of a group of thirty people who travel as pilgrims to Canterbury.

For a Mothering Sunday to remember, make your own Canterbury tales with Britannia Coaches.