There has been a settlement at this location since prehistoric times. The Latin name of the city was Durovernum Cantiacorum. It was the biggest Roman administrative center in England. Three roads began there, going to Reculver, Dover, and Lympne. Evidence of the reign of the Romans over the city remains in the form of the city walls and gates. Actually, the name Canterbury comes from the Old English (Kentish dialect) Cantwarebyrig, meaning fortress. Its religious significance is enormous. Canterbury Cathedral is the burial place of King Henry IV. St. Augustine's Abbey was demolished during the Dissolution of Monasteries. Its present status as an administrative center was gained in 1461.

Today, Canterbury is an important center for tourism, with Canterbury Cathedral alone attracting 1.2 million visitors in 2001. The complex still includes many ancient and modern buildings. The population is about 45,000. Culturally, the city is twinned with Reims in France (and there are partnership programs with Bloomington, USA and Vladimir, Russia). Canterbury has two railway stations, West and East.

Canterbury was also the terminus of the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway, which was a pioneer line opened in 1830, and finally closed in 1953. The locomotive which originally worked the line, Invicta, is part of the collection of the British Railway Museum.

Canterbury is intersected by the main A2 London to Dover Road. It is about 90 km from the junction with the M25 London orbital motorway, and 61 miles from central London. The other main road through Canterbury is the A28 from Ashford to Ramsgate and Margate.