Canterbury Local Area Guide

This page has been compiled by Campus Life to provide local information in Canterbury. It is designed as a starting point to help you find information you need. For all opening hours please check the relevant websites.

Feel free to come to Campus Life in the library for questions or feedback. We are happy to help you.

Canterbury Campus Life Hub
Telephone: +44 (0)1227 817 314
Email: campuslifecanterbury@uca.ac.uk

Banks and building societies
- Barclays
  9 St Georges Street CT1 2JX
- HSBC
  9 Rose Lane CT1 2JP
- Kent Reliance
  12-13 High Street CT1 2JE
- Lloyds Bank
  49 High Street CT1 2SE
- Metro Bank
  2 St George’s Street CT1 2SR
- Nationwide Building Society
  4-5 High Street CT1 2JH
- Natwest
  11 The Parade CT1 2SQ
- Santander
  48 High Street CT1 2SD
To open a UK bank account as a student, make an appointment and bring:
- Photo ID (for example, a passport or driving license).
- Proof of address (for example, a recent utility bill or council tax letter).
- A confirmation letter of enrolment from UCA (go to MyUCA > myRecords > scroll to request supporting letters).
The above is just a list of examples. There are more banking providers available to choose from.
Emergency services
- Fire, police and ambulance
  Telephone: 999
- Mental Health Emergency
  NHS 111 Service
  Telephone: 111 option 2
- Kent Police
  To report non-urgent crime or to contact your local officer for information and advice.
  Telephone: 101
  From abroad: +44 (0)1622 690 690
- Crimestoppers
  Anonymously report a crime or suspicious behaviour.
  Telephone: +44 (0)800 555 111
- Report Fraud
  Report cyber-crime & fraud.
  Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 2040
- National Gas Emergency Service
  Telephone: +44 (0)800 111 999
- National Grid
  Report power cuts.
  Telephone: +44 (0)800 6783 105
- Southeast Water
  Report water emergencies.
  Telephone: +44 (0)333 000 0365
Health, wellbeing & sexual health
- NHS 111 Service
  Non-emergency medical help.
  Telephone: 111
- Mental Health Emergency
  Telephone: 111 option 2
- Alcoholics Anonymous
  Telephone: +44 (0)800 917 7650
- Beat, Eating Disorder Charity
  +44 (0)808 8010 677
- CRUSE Bereavement Support
  +44 (0)808 808 1677
- Forward drug and alcohol service
  Telephone: 01227 201 778
  Out of hours: +44 (0)300 123 1186
- Samaritans
  32 Northgate CT1 1BL
  Telephone: 116 123
- Spectrum Life
  24/7 support for UCA students.
  Telephone: 0800 031 8227
  WhatsApp: “Hi” to +44 (0)7418 360 780
- Togetherall
  Wellbeing tools and resources 24/7.
- Canterbury Safe Haven
  Emotional and wellbeing support.
  22-23 North Lane CT2 7EE 6pm-11pm
  Telephone: +44 (0)7876 476 703 or +44 (0)7483 163 953
- Mind Helpline
  Mental health information.
  Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 3393
- Kent Sexual Assault & Abuse Service
  Telephone: +44 (0)808 500 2222
  Local Contact: +44 (0)1227 826900
- The Gate Clinic (sexual health)
  Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road CT1 3NG
  Telephone: +44 (0)300 790 0245
- FPA Sexual Health and Advice
- National Sexual Health Helpline.
  Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 7123
Doctors, health centres and hospitals
Register online with your nearest GP surgery to access NHS Health Care Services.
- Canterbury Health Centre
  26 Old Dover Road CT1 3JH
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 931 999
- Canterbury Medical Practice
  Ethelbert Road CT1 3NR
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 463 128
- New Dover Road Surgery
  10 New Dover Road CT1 3AP
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 462 197
- Northgate Medical Practice
  1 Northgate CT1 1WL
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 208 556
- University of Kent Medical Centre
  Giles Lane CT2 7PB
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 469 333
Hospitals
- Kent & Canterbury Hospital
  Minor injuries unit and emergency care centre.
  Ethelbert Road CT1 3NG
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 766 877
- Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital
  Full accident & emergency services.
  St Peters Road CT9 4AN
  Entrance: Ramsgate Road Margate CT9 4BG
  Telephone: +44 (0)1843 225 544
- William Harvey Hospital
- Full accident & emergency services.
- Kennington Road, Ashford TN24 0LZ
  Telephone: +44 (0)1233 633 331
Dentists and opticians
Most dentists are private dentists, but it may be possible to find an NHS dentist which will be cheaper. Some dentists are listed below but to find an NHS dentist accepting new patients visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist
- A1 Teeth
  52 London Road CT2 8LF
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 765 851
- St George’s Dental Practice
  9 Upper Bridge Street CT1 2NA
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 450 300
- Chopra & Associates
  1 Military Road CT1 1LN
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 453 416
- St Stephens Dental Practice
  4 Hales Drive CT2 7AB
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 452 668
If you do not have a dentist and need urgent dental care: Monday – Friday 8am-4pm call 0300 123 4412.

Call Dentaline out of hours on 01634 890 300 Monday-Sunday 6pm-10.55pm and Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays 8.30am-1.25pm.

Opticians
- Boots Opticians
  12 Gravel Walk CT1 2TF
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 462 106
- Bayfields Opticians
  44 St Peter’s Street CT1 2BG
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 463 341
- Specsavers Opticians
  7 Rose Lane CT1 2SJ
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 811 580
- Cargills Optometrists
  59 St Peters Street CT1 2BE
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 766 670 44
- Pybus Opticians
  5 Palace Street CT1 2DY
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 760 501
- Vision Express Opticians
  6-8 Rose Lane CT1 2SJ
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 763 930
Dispensing chemists and pharmacies
- ASDA Supermarket Pharmacy
  Sturry Road CT1 1DG
  Telephone: 44 (0)1227 462 039
- Boots
  12 Gravel Walk CT1 2TF
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 470 944
- Eckersley Pharmacy
  2 Northgate CT1 1WJ
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 453 969
- Morrisons Pharmacy
  Ten Perch Road CT1 3TQ
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 764 663
- Porter Chemist
  2B Hales Drive CT2 7AB
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 781 588
- PRX Pharmacy
  68 St Dunstan’s Street CT2 8BN
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 851 882
- Superdrug Pharmacy
  23 St Georges Street CT1 2SS
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 479 193
There are a number of chemists and pharmacies in and around Canterbury available to choose from: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

Many supermarkets offer basic over the counter medicines.
Cinemas and theatres in and around Canterbury
- Canterbury Curzon Cinema Riverside
  Kingsmead Road, Canterbury CT1 1BN
- Ashford Cineworld
  Eureka Park, Rutherford Road, Ashford TN25 4BN
- The Royal Cinema Faversham
  9 Market Place, Faversham ME13 7AG
- Marlowe Theatre
  The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS
- The Actor’s Lounge (Acting courses)
  Canterbury College, New Dover Road CT1 3AJ
  Telephone: +44 (0)7540 772 395
- Ashford Cinema
  Elwick Road, Ashford TN23 1AE
- Kavanagh Cinema
  Herne Bay, William Street, Herne Bay CT6 5NX
- Gulbenkian Arts Centre
  University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB
- The Malthouse Theatre
  St Stephen’s Road, Canterbury CT1 7JA
Leisure centres
- Christ Church Sports Centre
  Pilgrims Way  CT1 1PH
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 923 500
- Everlast Gyms
  Unit 1 & 2 Maybrook Retail Park, Vauxhall Road CT1 1ZG
- Kent Sports Centre
  University of Kent CT2 7NL
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 823 623
- Kingsmead Leisure Centre
  Kingsmead Road CT2 7PH
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 769 818
- King’s Recreation Centre
  1 St Stephens Road CT2 7HU
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 595 602
- Lifestyle Fitness
  Knight Avenue CT2 8QA
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 766 352
- PureGym Sturry
  Sturry Retail Park, Marshwood Close CT1 1DX
- PureGym Wincheap
  Riverside Park, Unit 1 The Boundary CT1 3TQ
Libraries
- The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge
  18 High Street CT1 2RA
  Telephone: +44 (0)3000 413 131
- Cathedral Archives & Library
  11 The Precincts CT1 2EH
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 865 330
- UCA Canterbury Campus Library
  New Dover Road CT1 3AN
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 923 500
Note that a library account enables you to request resources from other campuses and UK libraries, including resources from the British Library.
Post offices
- Main Post Office (inside TGJones)
  19 St George’s Street CT1 2LB
- St Martin’s Hill Post Office
  St Martin’s Hill CT1 1PU
Public information and services
- Canterbury City Council
  14 Rose Lane CT1 1YW
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 862 000
- Citizens Advice Bureau
  3 Westgate Hall Road CT1 2BT
  Telephone: +44 (0)808 278 7846
- Government Services
- Jobcentre Plus
  115-120 Northgate House CT1 1EZ
  +44 (0)800 169 0190
- Kent County Council
- Kent Police Station
  Old Dover Road CT1 3JQ
  Telephone: +44 (0)1622 690 690
- National Insurance Online
Public transport
- Eurostar
  International train travel.
  Telephone: +44 (0)3432 186 186
- National Express Coaches
  Coach travel.
- Telephone: +44 (0)871 781 8181
- National Rail Enquiries
  Train travel.
- Telephone: +44 (0)3457 484 950
- Stagecoach Buses (East Kent)
  Bus travel.
- Telephone: +44 (0)3456 002 299
- Southeastern Railway
  Regional train travel.
- Telephone: +44 (0)345 322 7021
Check for travel discount cards like the network rail card. Full time students can apply for a 16-25 Railcard.
Supermarkets
- Aldi
  St Andrews Close CT1 2LN
- Aldi
  Sturry Road CT1 1XX
- Asda
  Sturry Road CT1 1DG
- Canterbury Wholefoods
  1-3 Iron Bar Lane CT1 2HN
- Farmfoods
  116-118 Sturry Road CT1 1HJ
- Marks and Spencer
  44 St George’s Street CT1 2SR
- Morrisons
  Ten Perch Road CT1 3TQ
- Premier
  31-32 Oaten Hill CT1 1HZ
- Sainsburys
  Kingsmead Road CT1 1BW
- Starry Mart
  Unit 2 Broad Oak House, Broad Oak Road CT2 7PX
- Starry Mart Riverside
  Unit 12 Riverside CT1 1BU
- Tesco Express
  New Dover Road CT1 3AS
- Tesco Express
  Gravel Walk CT1 2SN
- Thais R Us Oriental Grocers
  20 Lower Bridge Street CT1 2LG
- Waitrose
  St George’s Place CT1 1UL
Taxis
- Canterbury Taxi Service
  +44 (0)1227 444 444
- Longleys Private Hire
  +44 (0)1227 710 777
- Longport Taxis
  +44 (0)1227 458 885
- CabCo Canterbury Taxis
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 455 455
Visitor and tourist information
- Canterbury Visitors Information Centre
  Ground Floor, The Beaney, 18 High Street CT1 2RA
  Telephone: +44 (0)1227 862 162
- MyCanterbury
  Find great deals and offers at local shops, attractions, events and accommodation.
- Visit Canterbury

Your Campus Life team are here to help with all essential student services. Our specialist staff can provide you with information, advice and guidance on any issues that may be affecting your studies at UCA. The Campus Life team are here to provide support with issues such as help with student finance, housing, health and academic issues.

You can contact Campus Life, the Wellbeing and Disability team and the Immigration, Compliance & Advice team by completing the enquiry form.

18+ Student Oyster photocard

18+ Oyster card (30% discount on adult rate travel cards)

To be eligible for an 18+ Oyster card you must be a student aged over 18 and living in a London borough during term time.
Visit the TFL website for full terms and conditions.
You must apply online and pay a £22 administration fee with a debit/credit card. The fee is non-refundable.
Choose UCA at Canterbury as your educational establishment.
Your application will be approved when you’ve fully enrolled and your term time address has been confirmed as being in London. Please ensure your term time address is up to date on myUCA before applying and throughout the year.

16-25 Railcard

£35 a year or £80 for 3 years.
Available to anyone aged 16-25 or students 25+ in full time study.
Gives discounts on travelling around the UK (1/3 off most national rail fares). Note: a minimum fare of £12 applies when travelling before 10.00, Monday – Friday, September – June.
You can also get discounts on the Oyster off-peak pay as you go daily price cap and off-peak Day Travelcards for Zones 1-6. See this website for terms and conditions and further details on how to apply.

Stagecoach

Stagecoach offer a range of tickets and you will be able to check the cheapest ticket for your journey from the options below:

Discounted annual bus travel is available to students here.
£3 single bus fares are confirmed until March 2027 and available for all journeys.
You can check other tickets available for your journey here.

The information below is intended as a guide to helping you find a suitable place of worship while you study here at UCA. Please note religions are listed alphabetically.

If you need reliable, balanced and relevant information about a particular religious group or new religious movement you can speak to Information Network On Religious Movements (INFORM).

They provide information about new and minority religions as well as alternative spirituality that is balanced and up to date.

If you have any enquiries about a religious movement you can call INFORM on +44 (0)20 7848 1132 or email inform@kcl.ac.uk.

Buddhist
- Kadampa Meditation Centre
  26 Cherry Garden Road CT2 8EP
  +44 (0)1227 760 955
  info@meditateinkent.com
Christian
- All Saints
  Military Road CT1 1PA
  Anglican
  +44 (0)1227 904 800
- Barton Evangelical Church
  32 Barton Road CT1 1YQ
  Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
  +44 (0)1227 470 086
  office@bartonchurch.org.uk
- Canterbury Baptist Church
  St George’s Place CT1 1UT
  Baptist
  +44 (0)1227 456 204
  office@canterburybaptistchurch.org.uk
- Canterbury Cathedral
  Cathedral House, 11 The Precincts CT1 2EH
  Anglican
  +44 (0)1227 762 862
  enquiries@canterbury-cathedral.org
- Canterbury Chinese Christian Fellowship
  St Andrew’s Church, Watling Street, CT1 2UA
  Ecumenical
  ccccuk10@gmail.com
- Canterbury Quakers
  Friends Meeting House, 6 The Friars CT1 2AS
  Quakers
  Contact form
- City Church
  The Canterbury Academy, Knight Avenue CT2 8QA
  Evangelical Christian
  +44 (0)1227 455 440
  info@thecitychurch.org.uk
- New Life Church
  The Hub, Unit 16B-C, Graham Bell House, Roper Close CT2 7EP
  Pentecostal
  +44 (0)1227 634 300
  office@newlifecanterbury.org
- Salvation Army
  Whitehorse Lane CT1 2RU
  +44 (0)1227 472 781
  sacanterbury@outlook.com
- Canterbury Seventh-Day Adventist Church
  Stodmarsh Road CT3 4AG
  Seventh Day Adventist
  +44 (0)1227 479 582
- St Andrew’s Church
  Watling Street CT1 2UA
  United Reformed
  +44 (0)1227 464 643
  office@standrewscanterbury.org
- St Martin and St Paul
  North Holmes Road and Church Street St Paul’s CT1 1NH
  Anglican
  +44 (0)1227 768 072
  office@martinpaul.org
- St Mary Bredin
  CT1 3JN
  Evangelical Anglican
  +44 (0)1227 453 777
  office@smb.org.uk
- St Peter’s Methodist Church
  St Peter’s Street CT1 2BE
  Methodist
  +44 (0)1227 459 449
  office@canterburymethodistchurch.co.uk
- St Stephen’s Church
  Hales Drive CT2 7AB
  Anglican
  +44 (0)1227 477 171
- St Thomas’ Church
  59 Burgate CT1 2HJ
  Roman Catholic
  +44 (0)1227 462 896
  canterbury@rcaos.org.uk
Hindu
- Medway Hindu Mandir
  361 Canterbury Street, Gillingham ME7 5XS
  +44 (0)1634 574 904
  info@medwayhindumandir.co.uk
Huguenot
- Église Protestante Française de Cantorbéry
  Black Prince’s Chantry, Canterbury Cathedral CT1 2EG
Islamic
- Canterbury Mosque
  The Markaz, 1 Giles Lane CT2 7LT
  info@canterburymosque.co.uk
- Kent University Islamic Society
  Kent University CT2 7NX
  isoc@kent.ac.uk
- Folkestone Islamic Cultural Centre
  8a Ford Road South, Folkestone CT20 1HJ
  +44 (0)1303 252 359
  info@folkestonemosque.com
Jewish
- Thanet & District Reform Synagogue
  239a Margate Road, Ramsgate CT12 6TE
  +44 (0)1843 851 164
  rabbi@tdrs.org.uk
- Kent University Jewish Society
  Kent University CT2 7NX
  +44 (0)1227 827 491
  jewishsoc@kentunion.co.uk
Mormon
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  Forty Acres Road CT2 7HJ
  +44 (0)1227 451 567
Sikh
- Kent Ramgarhia Darbar & Community Centre
  63 Franklin Road, Gillingham ME7 4DG
  +44 (0)1634 576 618
Unitarian
- Dover Unitarian Church
  Adrian Street, Dover CT17 9AT
  +44 (0)7388 327 003
  doverunitarians@gmail.com
Chaplaincy facility for students and staff of all faiths or none

On behalf of the various faith communities in and around Canterbury, please use this leaflet as a resource to discover the right place for you to find a spiritual home whilst here at UCA.

You will find a wide range of options, whether you want to attend a worship centre regularly or just visit from time to time.

The information on this webpage is subject to changes but most entries have contact numbers, email addresses or websites for up to date and further details.

Canterbury Local Area Guide

Student Travel Discounts

18+ Student Oyster photocard

16-25 Railcard

Stagecoach

Places of Worship