Canterbury has been a place of pilgrimage ever since St Augustine converted Kent to Christianity in the 7th Century. The capital of the Celtic Kingdom, rebuilt by Romans, castled by Normans and visited by everybody from royalty to refugees, the city has seen turbulent times – including plague, murder, and the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Its stunning Cathedral is now the heart of a Unesco World Heritage site which also includes England's oldest church.
This former coaching inn, sited by Westgate Tower (part of the 800-year-old city walls) is similarly steeped in history, having welcomed weary travellers since the 15th Century. Sister property to the excellent The George in Rye, a terrific makeover has elevated style and comfort while retaining The Falstaff's character and charm – think beamed ceilings and big inglenook fireplaces. Across the threshold you'll spy the long sleek bar, to either side are handsome guest lounges; while the breakfast room looks out over the courtyard at the back. The 50 delightful bedrooms, each unique in layout and decoration, are spread across three buildings; the wood mill to the rear and neighbouring pub The Tap having been incorporated over time. Step outside to immerse yourself in the bustling centre and its chronicles of yesteryear, and meander in search of fine food and collectables. Return to cocktails before dinner and cosseting chambers. In short, the perfect place for modern-day pilgrims.
Highs
- Wonderfully comfortable bedrooms and good bathrooms, with goose down duvets and pillows in all
- Welcoming helpful staff who can advise on sights and restaurants nearby
- Easy to find, just a short stroll from the railway station, and close to Canterbury's many historic sights
- Elegant bar area and plenty of nooks for relaxing on the ground floor
- Good value for such well-appointed rooms and a central location
Lows
- Only breakfast and afternoon tea are served but there are plenty of eateries within a couple of minutes' walk
- The Falstaff is just outside the medieval city walls, so although it isn't technically in the historic centre, it is just a minute away
- Cosy Rooms are compact
- Some traffic noise may be experienced in front-facing rooms, to be expected as the hotel is on a through road
Best time to go
Any time of year is good for creating your own Canterbury Tale. Spring flowers along the water meadows are delightful and the city is bustling with visitors for Easter. The Canterbury Festival is in late October. St Thomas Becket's Feast Day is 29 December. The winter months are less appealing when various activities are curtailed, although The Falstaff remains a cosy haven throughout.
Our top tips
A good way to see the sights at leisure is to take a 45-minute guided boat tour operated by Canterbury Historic River Tours; you'll spy historic buildings, monuments & literary sites. The starting point for the tours is a 4-minute walk away; note that some tours don't operate in the winter.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Room was spacious. Staff were friendly and approachable at all times.
The location is excellent, close to Westgate Tower and an easy 5 minute stroll into the historic city centre (Cathedral, River Trips, Theatre, shopping etc). The hotel itself has character and the interior design is absolutely stunning. Our room was beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean. The only thing we didn’t like was that the fans from the next door pub sent occasional cooking smells inside when we opened the window (this was not a problem at night though). The service (particularly on arrival) was ok but rather unenthusiastic. We had to tell the receptionist about the i-escape extra Prosecco. There isn’t a restaurant but there are so many places to eat nearby that it isn’t an issue. There is a car park at the hotel which is convenient. It costs an extra £12 a day but I think it is expensive to park anywhere in the area. Canterbury is such a lovely city and well worth a trip. The location and style of the Falstaff made our visit really special and we enjoyed our stay.
Spacious room and bathroom, but we felt like it is in need of a little upgrade. There wasn't really anywhere to put toiletries in the bathroom. Lovely bed and very clean. The garden was lovely and spacious but could do with some more comfortable sitting chairs. Good breakfast, and good bar! All the staff were very nice and helpful.
Pleasant room and a really comfy bed. The staff at the front desk were very helpful and provided good information. Sitting out areas were attractive and relaxing. Slow service at breakfast and I would have preferred a breakfast buffet. Superb location, near the station, the river and the shopping quarter, and to all sights. Would definitely recommend
A charming hotel in a great location, just outside the gate into the main city centre. We stayed in a beautiful spacious room on the top floor of the outbuilding just behind the bar. Staff were very helpful and friendly, with tips of local restaurants and bars, including The Refectory Kitchen a couple of doors down which did a great brunch
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