Dane John Gardens - Canterbury, Kent

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The Prettiest Park in Canterbury

Dane John Gardens has all the essentials of a quintessential English park. There is a bandstand, a fountain, pathways, lawns, benches and a tea room. Found close to all the shops, this pretty park is a quiet oasis where you can take a stroll, sit peacefully or enjoy a picnic lunch.



A Quiet Place to Sit in the City

A Roman city wall encloses much of Canterbury. To the south, there's a preserved section where you can walk along the top. It overlooks Dane John Gardens and gives you a view of the bandstand, flowerbeds and water feature. A delightful avenue of lime trees runs through the middle of the park - it's the perfect place to be when the weather is hot. To one side is a wooden fort and maze for kids to explore. The dominating feature of Dane John Gardens is the Simmon's Memorial that towers above the park and city wall. The monument is on the top of a burial mound thought to have been there since the 1st or 2nd century. The mound is very steep but you can climb it – this is a popular activity with visiting school children. The views from the peak over to the cathedral are worth the climb. There is a public toilet in the far eastern corner of the park – near to Castle Row.



A number of events are held at Dane John Gardens such as an annual food festival when the park is flooded with stalls and marquees selling street food of every kind. In the winter, a Christmas market fills the gardens.

These gardens have been a public open space since 1790 and are maintained by Canterbury Council. The gates are locked at night.

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