Canterbury Winchester Train

Canterbury, in the south east of England, can trace its history back to before the Romans in the 1st century AD but grew in importance following the Kingdom of Kent's conversion to Christianity in 597 when St Augustine founded a bishops seat in the city and then became the first Archbishop of Canterbury, a position that now heads the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Thomas Becket's murder at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 led to the cathedral becoming a place of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide.

The city is on the River Stour or Great Stour, flowing from its source at Lenham north-east through Ashford to the English Channel at Sandwich. The river divides south east of the city, one branch flowing though the city, the other around the position of the former walls. The Stour is navigable on the tidal section to Fordwich, although above this point canoes and other small craft can be used. Punts and rowed river boats are available for hire in Canterbury.

Canterbury is home to many historic structures in addition to its cathedral. These include the city wall built in Roman times and rebuilt in the 14th century, the ruins of St Augustine Abbey and a Norman castle. The city is also home to perhaps the oldest school in England, The King's School.

The city of Winchester in Hampshire, on the couth coast of England, is packed with historic buildings, monuments and museums - all within a short walking distance of each other and just waiting to be explored. Whilst in the city explore the medieval streets and admire the magnificent cathedral and Wolvesey Castle before taking a gentle stroll along the River Itchen to The Hospital of St Cross (a medieval almshouse - or charitable housing). The city is also recognised as a foodie destination and has the largest Farmers Market in the United Kingdom. The River Itchen, which runs through the heart of the Winchester, along with the River Test to the south west of the city, are famous for the wild trout which thrive in their clear, fast-running waters. The city is located on the edge of the South Downs National Park, and combines cosmopolitan elegance with rural idyll. The park covers an area of 628 sq miles, and stretches for 87 miles from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east through the counties of Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex. The park includes the infamous iconic chalky white cliffs of Beachy Head.