The Old Buttermarket, Canterbury

Nestled just outside the awe鈥慽nspiring Christchurch Gate of Canterbury Cathedral, The Old Buttermarket is much more than a traditional pub鈥攊t鈥檚 a living piece of the city鈥檚 rich history. With sections of its foundation dating back over 800 years to Roman-built structures, this charming establishment sits in the heart of Buttermarket Square鈥攏amed for the medieval butter market that once thrived beneath its arches. Stepping onto its cobbled terrace, you鈥檙e walking through centuries of heritage.

The site has evolved dramatically over time. In the 17th century, the square featured a timber-framed market hall鈥攃omplete with theatre and storerooms鈥攖hat earned it the 鈥淏uttermarket鈥� name. That Victorian hall gave way to the ornate war memorial unveiled in 1891, a tribute to the First World War, unveiled at exactly this spot. Today, that memorial stands proudly in the square, surrounded by the pub鈥檚 outdoor tables鈥攁 serene yet poignant reminder of the past.

Inside, The Old Buttermarket delivers all the warmth you鈥檇 hope for in a Nicholson鈥檚 historic pub. Expect an inviting menu of classic British fare鈥攎eat pies, fish and chips, and the house-special steak pie鈥攑aired with an impressive array of real ales, whiskies, gins, plus a curated wine list. Whether you鈥檙e craving solace after a cathedral tour or just a relaxed evening, the pub鈥檚 blend of modern comfort and period charm hits the mark.

For tourists, this is a must鈥憊isit: you get medieval architecture, a slice of local tradition, and a cozy place to pause鈥攁ll in one. A perfect starting (or resting) point for wandering through Canterbury鈥檚 UNESCO鈥憀isted old town鈥攋ust don鈥檛 forget to look down and appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Canterbury. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: The Old Buttermarket
Sight Location: Canterbury, England (See walking tours in Canterbury)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Canterbury Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Canterbury, England

Create Your Own Walk in Canterbury

Creating your own self-guided walk in Canterbury is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Canterbury Cathedral and Grounds

Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest churches that played a crucial role in English Christianity, stands within its own walled area, surrounded by Medieval buildings and ruins.

At the heart of this ensemble rises the cathedral itself, a magnificent example of medieval architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you enter, you'll pass through the imposing Christ Church Gate, a... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles

Canterbury Introduction Walking Tour

Canterbury is a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the most visited cities in England. Canterbury has a long history and has been occupied since Paleolithic times. It was the capital of the Celtic Cantiaci, Romans settled the area for centuries, and the site was the capital of the Kingdom of Kent.

Saint Augustine arrived in Canterbury in 597 to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

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