Pilgrimage social walk from YHA Canterbury
Friday 3rd October 2025 Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km) Duration: 7 hours Led by: British Pilgrimage Trust Discovery and connection Tread in the footsteps of thousands of pilgrims before finishing in...
YHA Canterbury
Overview
Want the best of both worlds? Canterbury goes one better. With a city that’s full of history and culture, the coast a mere seven miles away, Kent Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the south and acre-upon-acre of ancient woodland to explore nearby, this place has it all.
YHA Canterbury is a stunning Victorian villa, perfectly located to explore the Cathedral City of Canterbury and its surroundings. With historic buildings including the city's famous cathedral (one of the oldest places of worship in England), museums, medieval adventures, nearby beaches and countryside walks on the North Downs Way, there's so much to keep you entertained when you stay at this hostel.
Accommodation at this hostel
- Bed in a shared room is offered here
- Private room is offered here
- Camping & Cabins is offered here
- Entire place is offered here
Why guests love this hostel
- Close to city centre attractions and museums
- Period building with large garden
- Deluxe cabins available for glamping stays
Accommodation at YHA Canterbury
Group booking
Serviced group stays for 16 to 68 people
This stunning Victorian villa is perfectly located to explore the cathedral city of Canterbury and its surroundings. With historic buildings including the city's famous cathedral, museums, medieval adventures, nearby beaches and countryside walks on the North Downs Way, there's so much to keep you entertained when you stay at YHA Canterbury.
If you’re planning a school trip or a group pilgrimage to Canterbury, this hostel has everything you need for a great stay.
Group-friendly facilities
Sleeping arrangements
Most of our bedrooms are dormitory style rooms with bunk beds. We always try to allocate bedrooms close together and will never ask your group to share bedrooms with anyone not in your group.
Upgrades are available for sole use of an area, floor or the entire place.
Shared spaces
Close to the city centre with free parking and WiFi, our refurbished villa makes a great value base for your next adventure. YHA Canterbury has a dining room and lounge that can be used by groups and many of our bedrooms have en-suite facilities.
Group catering
With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Canterbury (see sample menu).
Meal plans range from bed and breakfast up to full-board catering. Vegetarian options are available and we aim to cater for any special dietary requests.
Parking
There is parking on-site for 8 cars or 2 coaches.
Accredited site
YHA Canterbury holds a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge (Site Only) (105555).
This accreditation means that this hostel has externally audited risk assessments, verified insurance provision, quality checked safety logs and delivery observed by national reviewers.
Hostel facilities
- 24-hour access after check-in
- Breakfast
- Coach parking on premises
- Contactless payments
- Cycle store
- Dining room
- Free on-street parking
- Free parking on premises
- Full mobile coverage
- Games
- Garden/grounds
- Group meals
- Highchair
- Large garden/grounds
- Library
- Licensed bar
- Luggage store
- Minibus parking on premises
- Near bus stop
- Near ferry port
- Near train station
- Outdoor seating
- Self-catering kitchen
- Shared drying room
- Shared laundry room
- Shared lounge
- Shared TV
- Sole use available
- Unlimited breakfast
- Vending machines
- Water refill station
- WiFi
Hostel need to know
Reception opening hours: From 07:30 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00.
Licensed bar: This hostel has a licensed bar offering a range of alcohol and soft drinks. It is not possible for guests to bring their own alcohol.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is parking on-site for 8 cars or 2 coaches. These spaces cannot be reserved and may become full. Parking is also available on Rochester Avenue or St Lawrence, offering free parking overnight and at weekends (approx. two-minutes away on foot). Canterbury College offers weekend parking at £2 per day and there is a park and ride located at the top of New Dover Road.
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Canterbury, except in our Camping & Cabins accommodation or when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.
YHA Canterbury - Access Statement
(PDF download - 138.26 KB)
Food and drink at YHA Canterbury
Things to do around YHA Canterbury
Social walk from YHA Canterbury
Sunday 5th October 2025 Distance: 10 miles (16 km) Duration: 7 hours Led by: Michael Harden on behalf of North Downs Way National Trail Discovery and connection Health and Wellbeing This is a family...
Fordwich, Littlebourne and Howletts self-guided walking route
A lovely route through Kent countryside and villages. Look out for animals as you pass through the zoo.
Chilham and Stour Valley self-guided walking route
A great challenging route following the North Downs Way National Trail through Canterbury to Chilham and back on the picturesque Stour Valley Walk.
Canterbury city tour self-guided walking route
A lovely walking tour of some of Canterbury’s history, waterways and parks
Mindfulness social walk from YHA Canterbury
Saturday 27th September 2025 Distance: 3.7 miles (6 km) Duration: 1.5 hours Led by: Stuart McLeod, RUN-ZEN Health and wellbeing Join mindfulness teacher Stuart McLeod for a guided walk starting on the...
Cycling in Canterbury
With one of the longest dramatic and varied coastlines in the country, Kent has five of the best cycle routes - passing castles, ancient churches, historic houses and many splendid gardens. Within...
Canterbury Cathedral
Situated just a stone’s throw from Canterbury city centre, Canterbury Cathedral is a must when visiting the area. The magnificent building is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in...
Canterbury Punting Co
The best way to see and learn the history and culture of Canterbury. Take a 45-minute punt tour along the beautiful river Stour and learn stories about Canterbury's medieval past. There are many tours...
Westgate Gardens
Visit one of England’s oldest parks when in Canterbury. See the Victorian Tower House, the River Stour which runs along side it and the glorious Physic Garden, filled with pretty plants and flowers...
Dover Castle and Secret Wartime Tunnels
The origins of Dover Castle lie in the Iron Age, and a Roman Lighthouse and Anglo-Saxon church can still be seen. The tunnels take you deep into the White Cliffs to explore the nerve centre of the...
More about this hostel
Volunteering
Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
Find out more and apply to volunteer.
History
Ellerslie was built in 1875 and forms part of Canterbury's rich heritage of Victorian gothic style buildings. Formerly a private residence to various wealthy prominent figures, many interesting relics from previous occupants are listed in the census, and there are some fantastic pictures of the maids servicing the property at that time.
YHA Canterbury boasts the longest-standing presence of a city YHA since our organisation was founded in 1930, occupying three other properties prior to the acquisition of our current home in 1962. It underwent a small refurbishment in the 1980s to improve the catering facilities and at that time squeezed over 100 beds into the rooms. Ellerslie then received the best 50th birthday present from YHA – a £600,000 makeover to reduce the dormitory sizes and increase the number of en-suite rooms. The work to the house has been sympathetically carried out, being mindful of the heritage, fantastic original staircase, ornate coving and woodwork. The refurbishment of this house is a great reflection on our reinvestment programme and will enable us to continue to welcome over 17,000 guests each year to this fine city.
Meet the team
Manager recommends: Try a gentle walk along the city wall to the castle, through the Westgate gardens and back through town. Visit the cathedral, followed by a river boat tour, some shopping at Whitefriars and then back to your accommodation for a few drinks in the bar! The perfect weekend city break. Or fill up on a full English breakfast and then embark on a walk around the ancient city wall and on to the top of Dane John Mound to take in the view. Follow up with a picnic in the Dane John Gardens.
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