We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

St. Augustine's Abbey

Longport, Canterbury CT1 1PF, England
01227 767 345
Website
Update attraction details
Ranked #12 of 42 attractions in Canterbury
Type: Historic Sites, Ancient Ruins
Most recent review
- 7 May 2013
Write a Review

36 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    13
    13
    10
    0
    0
Date Rating
Horsham, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
24 attraction reviews
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

A worthwhile visit with so much history. The audio guide is really worth using as it helps make sense of the ruins. Strange to see the intact Canterbury cathedral in the background - one wonders how the Abbey would now look had it not been ransacked by order of Henry V111. Visited on a lovely sunny day so it was... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Manchester
Top Contributor
71 reviews 71 reviews
34 attraction reviews
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2013

This site is an English Heritage site and therefore free to members, the guided tour is very informative and helps to put the site into context. This is very important as little remains. But if you are interested in sites of medieval abbeys this s a must as the context so close to Canterbury Cathedral enhances is importance.

Was this review helpful? Yes
london
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
32 attraction reviews
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 April 2013

It's a great shame that so little remains at this important site; there really isn't much to see for your £5. The only substantial relic is the fine, late medieval gateway, which you can't get to from the inside. Having said that, the staff are welcoming and on a fine day it's not a bad place. Young children will find... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
West Country, near Bristol
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
6 attraction reviews
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 April 2013

It was a bitingly cold day, which was a shame as these remnants of the ancient abbey are beautiful and deserve more attention than we felt able to devote to them. Run by English Heritage, their representative in the visitors' centre was really enthusiastic about the Abbey's history. The displays in the centre showed various artefacts and architectural items from... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Valencia, Spain
Top Contributor
129 reviews 129 reviews
87 attraction reviews
222 helpful votes 222 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 March 2013 via mobile

King Ethelbert allowed St. Augustine to build a monastery here in 598AD, just outside the city walls. There were three existing Saxon churches dedicated to St. Pancras, Peter and Paul. Remains of the church of St . Pancras are still extanct. The other two churches were rebuilt by the Normans into one building. The purpose of the Abbey was as... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Canterbury
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 February 2013

A really nice visit despite it being a bit chilly, but it is an exposed site so you take the risk with the weather, Very nice staff, lots of interesting artefacts in the museum section and if you have a half-decent imagination, you can really visualise the scale of the original buildings. Considering the significance of the site, it could... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Rainham, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
3 attraction reviews
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 February 2013 via mobile

You can begin your visit with a look round the shop and the small but very interesting museum where any questions you have will be answered, if possible, by the friendly and helpful English Heritage staff. Passing through the museum into the grounds - don't forget your free audio tour - it will be at the centre of your experience.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Gants Hill, London
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
5 attraction reviews
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 February 2013

As we went in the winter and the site is so exposed, the windchill took over any cultural experience I could have gained. Perhaps if the site were to offer some shelter or try and reconstruct buildings, it would offer visitors more of an idea of its original state.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Bromsgrove, England, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
3 attraction reviews
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 January 2013

The museum is well laid out, and it is easy to understand the history of the place across the ages. Spend time in the museum first before visiting the ruins, and take an audio guide with you to bring the ruins alive.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Portland, Oregon, USA
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
11 attraction reviews
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 January 2013

The museum/bookshop was a bonus - nicely presented with truly fascinating artifacts (and something for everyone). The site is well managed. I had a audio guide (I don't usually) and it was really helpful.

Was this review helpful? Yes

Travellers who viewed St. Augustine's Abbey also viewed

 

Been to St. Augustine's Abbey? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage St. Augustine's Abbey, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing