Canterbury Cathedral

I've been planning to visit Canterbury on previous visits, but finally I made it. We caught the train from St Pancras to Canterbury West, then walked slightly uphill, which was lucky, because we had to almost run on the return to our train. Through the Westgate to the High St, which was so busy we wondered if there was an event, and whether there would be a crowd at the Cathedral. But, no, not so many there, but, as in Chaucer's day, there were some pilgrims.

First impression of the Cathedral is its size and beauty, although the stonework is eroding, as one would expect of a 1000 year old building. Stonemasons are constantly repairing. Moving through the Cathedral becomes a series of discoveries; beautiful side altars, elaborate tombs (including that of the Black Prince), engraved plaques, magnificent stained glass windows and the highest vaulted ceiling appear in turn. An ornate baptismal font was demolished by Cromwell's troups, but the pieces were collected and reassembled later. Unfortunately, the same army also smashed many stained glass windows, that have been replaced by plain glass. Commemorating another major event in English history, the murdered Thomas Becket has an altar dedicated to him.