Photos: Lewis Hulbert, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Diliff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Lewis Hulbert, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Diliff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Westgate Towers, the last city gate standing
Your local guide
Daniel Fairweather
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Highlights
- The last of seven medieval city gates
- Twin towers straddling the old road
- A defended river crossing, explained
- Six other gates lost over the centuries
- A narrow bridge tucked beside the gate
About this tour
This call looks at the city's last surviving medieval gate, a pair of round towers straddling the old road into the centre. You see the towers up close first, then the narrow river bridge tucked just beside them. I explain why this gate survived when six others were pulled down over the centuries.
We spend time on the towers themselves before moving down toward the bridge, taking questions about the gate's defensive design along the way. A short note on the other lost gates follows by message.
This suits anyone interested in medieval fortification and city planning. It also pairs well with a walk along the riverside afterwards.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Canterbury before heading out.
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The twin towers 15 min
The camera holds on the two round towers flanking the old road, and I explain how this was the only one of seven medieval gates to survive being pulled down.
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The river bridge below 15 min
You see the narrow bridge over the Stour just beside the gate, and I point out how the whole crossing was built to be defended as a single position.
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Your questions 7 min
Time to ask anything about Canterbury: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 3 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Kentish cobnuts and Wincheap, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in London time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Canterbury, showing you The twin towers and The river bridge below live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet, the link comes with your booking. I show the gate live from the street below.
Times shown in London time (GMT)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Wed 28 Oct · 9 seats left From 19,00 €
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