Skip to content
To Do in Kent
GardensHistory and heritageFree

Dane John Gardens

Canterbury, East Kent

Dane John Gardens, from Canterbury City CouncilImage: Canterbury City Council

Image: Canterbury City Council

Dane John Gardens is a historic park inside Canterbury's city walls, dating back to 1551, with an avenue of lime trees, a fountain, a bandstand and an ancient mound you can climb for views over the city. You can also walk along the stretch of city wall that border the park, and there is a children's play area and public toilets. It suits everyone, from families with young children to anyone wanting a peaceful break from the shops, and an hour is enough.

Highlights

  • Mound with views over Canterbury and a monument on top
  • Walk along the city walls beside the park
  • Lime tree avenue and fountain
  • Bandstand that hosts summer concerts
  • Children's play area

Good to know

  • The park fully reopened in May 2026 after major refurbishment work, when its new cafe was still being fitted out
  • Dogs are allowed

Getting there

Dane John Gardens, Dane John Gardens, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2QX

Get directions

Checked on 15 October 2026 against explorekent.org, news.canterbury.gov.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check

Nearby

The River Stour and Westgate Gardens in Canterbury, with the medieval Westgate towers behindPhoto of Canterbury: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
History and heritageCanterbury · under 1 km

The Canterbury Ghost Tour

The Canterbury Ghost Tour is a 90-minute evening walk through the city's darker side with local historian and ghost hunter John Hippisley, mixing history, humour and haunting tales. Meet outside Alberrys on St Margaret's Street and follow the streets after dark. It suits teens, couples and groups looking for a fun night out.

£10 to £25Directions
Canterbury Punting Company, from Canterbury Punting CompanyImage: Canterbury Punting Company
OutdoorsCanterbury · under 1 km

Canterbury Punting Company

Canterbury Punting Company runs chauffeured punt tours along the River Stour from its station on Water Lane, with a guide sharing stories of the city as you glide past historic buildings. Shared city tours last around 45 minutes, and there are private, nature and evening ghost tours too. It suits families, couples and visitors wanting a relaxed new view of Canterbury.

Prices vary by time of day, with savings on earlier slots and weekdays. Check the website when booking.Directions
The Canterbury Tales Experience, from The Canterbury TalesImage: The Canterbury Tales
Indoor and rainy dayCanterbury · under 1 km

The Canterbury Tales Experience

The Canterbury Tales Experience is an immersive walk-through attraction that follows Chaucer's pilgrims from the Tabard Inn to the Chequers of Hope Inn in Canterbury. Handcrafted sets, sound and effects bring the stories to life, and the whole attraction was refurbished in 2026. It suits families, teens and visitors to the city and lasts 45 to 60 minutes.

£25 to £50Directions