Step back over 1,400 years at St Augustine's Abbey, one of England's oldest and most historically significant sites. Founded in AD 597 by St Augustine as part of his mission to bring Christianity to England, the abbey was originally created as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent. Today it forms part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site, alongside Canterbury Cathedral and St Martin's Church, and is managed by English Heritage.
Over 1,400 years of history in one place. Founded in AD 597 by St Augustine himself, the abbey sits alongside Canterbury Cathedral and St Martin's Church as one of England's most significant historic landmarks, recognised by UNESCO for its role in the rebirth of Christianity in southern England.
Step inside the abbey as it looked in the early 1500s using virtual reality headsets, borrow a monk's habit and handle real objects from monastic life. The family interpretation has been designed to get children genuinely curious about the past, not just looking at ruins.
Explore at your own pace with a free audio tour that brings the ruins, museum and grounds to life. From Anglo-Saxon burial grounds to Henry VIII's royal palace, every corner of the site has a story worth hearing.
St Augustine's Abbey
Kent, CT1 1PF, England
Tel: 03703331181
Last updated: 10:54 10/09/2026
