Medieval Canterbury in the 21st Century

Parked the car on Tankerton seafront and caught the bus to Canterbury. After a coffee and scone for sustenance we set off along the Crab and Winkle Way to Whitstable and back to Canterbury.

The city was awash with tourists, school groups, buskers and hawkers giving a very good, if less smelly, feel of how it must have sounded in Medieval times.

This walk of around 10 miles follows the route of the world’s first passenger railway, affectionately known as the Crab and Winkle Line, opened in 1830 joining the port of Whitstable with the cathedral city of Canterbury. This line predated the Stockton to Darlington line which is better known. The C&W was not loco hauled the whole way when it first opened having to rely on rope winding to get up the fierce gradients out of Canterbury and into Whitstable.

Enjoyed fish and chips at Tankerton and a pint at the Royal on the seafront.

This evening we marked my officially becoming an OAP with champagne, nibbles, tea, sandwiches and scones with clotted cream. I’ve got to wait until March 2020 for state pension and bus pass!

A landmark day well celebrated!