Kent War Memorial Garden & Queningate, Canterbury

Nestled within the serene eastern precinct of Canterbury Cathedral, the Kent War Memorial Garden offers a poignant tribute to the brave men and women of Kent who lost their lives in both World Wars. This thoughtfully landscaped square features a striking octagonal Portland stone memorial cross, standing at around six metres tall-a Grade II* listed structure designed by Herbert Baker and unveiled in 1921. Visitors are met with an atmosphere of quiet reflection, framed by immaculately maintained lawns and subtle clipped hedging that guide the eye towards the cathedral's east façade.

Giving its name from Queen Bertha, the Queningate emerges adjacent to the garden. This historic gateway, forming part of Canterbury’s city wall, leads toward the nearby Saint Augustine’s Abbey. The gate-whose name honors the 6th-century Catholic queen-thrusts you back into the layered history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Roman, medieval, and ecclesiastical pasts converge. The ancient stonework and remnants of Roman foundations visible along the wall lend a tangible sense of continuity between eras.

Visiting the War Memorial Garden and Queningate is as much a visual journey as a spiritual one. The elevated terrace and open layout provide excellent views of the cathedral’s east towers, creating a powerful backdrop for remembrance. The garden was once a bowling green before its transformation into a space of solemn commemoration, commissioned through public subscription and restored after sustaining damage during the Baedeker Blitz. The surrounding walls, themselves protected as Grade II structures, foster an enclave of calm within the bustling cathedral close.

For visitors exploring Canterbury, this site offers a reflective pause amid the city’s medieval bustle. It’s an ideal spot to sit, contemplate, and appreciate the resilience embedded in Kent’s heritage. Just steps beyond, you’ll find the Roman wall paths, the gateway to Saint Augustine’s Abbey, and the grand silhouette of the cathedral-all waiting to be discovered.