Things to do in Canterbury

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I have to go to Canterbury for a couple of days next month for research I'm doing, so I've decided to turn it into a little holiday and stay for a week. I haven't been on holiday at all in many years (finances/work situation didn't allow for it) and so I'm looking forward to it. I know I could just look at online lists of local attractions, but it's always nice to hear from someone who has actually been there.

I'm interested in history, so naturally I want to visit the cathedral (and their archives, where the research will happen). I'm staying fairly close to it. I also saw that there's a Roman Museum nearby! I like walking and the countryside, although I won't have access to a car when I'm there so can't venture out too far.

Any suggestions for other things to do, or places to visit or avoid? Are there any nice second-hand bookshops?

The Crabbe and Winkle is a cycle/walk path from Canterbury to Whitstable, which is quite nice.
There's a farmers market near Canterbury East station.
There's a nature reserve in Stodmarsh, though I am not sure how easy it is to get there by public transport.
The Canterbury Tales is central to town and I believe they do history/ghost tours around there too.
There's a pub called The Dolphin near the Cathedral which has a big back garden to sit in. There are also lots of characterful pubs with hops in the ceiling etc around that area. Loads of country pubs on the outskirts if you care to venture out.
Blean Woods is a nice place to visit.

This is all based on a friend who lives there so it could be horribly out of date lol!

The Canterbury tales has now closed permenantly :(
There are several companies who offer river tours which are lovely and peaceful. May be worth seeing what's on at the Marlowe Theatre as they get some great shows at decent prices
There's also the gulbenkian theatre in the University of Kent
Waterstones has some ancient ruins in the basement

The town museum houses the original Bagpuss and gang 😍

There's lots to do in Canterbury! Some faves are...
River boat tours are lovely
The beaney is fab
Roman museum
St augustines abbey
Blean woods
West gate gardens

There's a brilliant pub where James Bond lived or summat... Something about a dirty duck. Not in Canterbury itself but near.

The Farmers Market (The Goods Shed) is next to Canterbury West not East. That part of Canterbury (Westgate) is quite nice. To through the Westgate Towers and at the bottom of the High Street there are a few quirky shops like the Indoor Market.
In the same area is Westgate Gardens, which is very pretty and you can take a punting trip. You can also take a boat trip from a little bit further up the High street (on the bridge).

The city is nice for a wander. You can walk around the route of the old city walls. For a day trip you could catch the bus to Whitstable and back - quite a scenic bus trip & Whitstable is lovely. Also you could get the train easily from the town centre to a number of other places on the coast, such as Margate which has the Turner gallery & the vintage amusement Park Dreamland.

Second hand bookshop with bags of character - www.atlasobscura.com/places/crooked-house-3

Shopping is excellent in Canterbury. Close enough to Whitstable for the seaside. Lots of countryside round about. Some good restaurants. Lucky you!

There’s a good secondhand bookshop set in a really wonky old building in Palace Street. See www.catchinglives.org/catching-lives-bookshop. It’s been there years and is an easy walk from the cathedral. Palace Street (and nearby Sun Street and Burgate) has a few interesting arty independent shops you can pop into on the way.