Canterbury Tales Visitor Attraction

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote his Canterbury Tales in the 1390s, and they remain a vivid depiction of life in Medieval England. Although written by him in the 14th Century, to this day you cannot escape these wonderful stories that can still resonate for us some 600 years later.

This visitor attraction gives you an idea of what life in 14th century England might have been like. The attraction enables the visitor to also have a feel of what it might have been like to have been on Chaucer's pilgimage.

Chaucer's work describes the journey of a set of pilgrims who are travelling from Southwark, in London, to the shrine of Thomas a Beckett in Canterbury. The tales descibe the group, who range from all social classes, in some detail. They include the Wife of Bath (about a woman not wanting to age - my personal favourite, as I know how she feels sometimes), the Monk's Tale and the more widely known tale, the Knights Tale.

The Knights Tale was given a modern twist recently by the late Heath Ledger, in the film of a similar name, A Knight's Tale - a great film by the way, with Paul Bettany playing Chaucer himself. My favourite line from the film is from Bettany when he says; 'I will eviscerate you for all eternity in fiction'. As the Tales are still being taught to schoolchildren today, this quote from a Hollywood film could have been a very prescient comment from Chaucer himself.

So you really cannot come to Canterbury and miss out on this part of the city. It's great for the kids, as well as being educational at the same time, but they don't have to know that!!

Fish and Chips for Afters?

When I have taken my friends to visit this attraction, or are shopping in the vicinity of St Margaret's Street, I like to pop in to the best fish and chip restaurant that I know. It is literally located next door; as you exit the visitor attraction, turn left and it's just there on your left. You cannot miss it because it is usually packed

Opening Times and Prices for Canterbury Tales Attraction

The Canterbury Tales Visitor Attraction is open daily throughout the year, less certain National Holidays. Normally opening at 10am (less July and August, when it opens at 9.30am), it closes at 5pm in the summer and 4.30pm in the winter.

The cost of entry to the site ranges from £7.75 for an adult to £5.75 for a child (5-15 years).

There are also seperate prices for Senior Citizens and Students. The attraction can be found on St Margaret's Street, a mere stone's throw from the High St. For directions, here is a Map For more information visit the Canterbury Tales website.