Rediscover the Canterbury Tales
News item · 25 May 2015
Rediscover the Canterbury Tales
£20,000 investment signals new era for one of Kent’s best-loved visitor attractions
The award-winning Canterbury Tales visitor attraction has been revitalised thanks to a £20,000 refurbishment programme.
The popular attraction, which has welcomed more than two million visitors from all over the world, has undergone a major refurbishment over the winter to ensure it retains its proud position as one of the jewels in the crown of the tourism sector in Canterbury.
Specialist set designers Evolution Productions have revitalised the sets inside the Tales, live guiding by costumed characters has been extended to cover more of the tour, access has been improved for wheelchair users, and new signage and leaflets have been produced to refresh the attraction’s appeal and branding.
Fresh from its refurbishment, The Canterbury Tales celebrates its readiness for the new season on Tuesday, 10 March, when the Lord Mayor of Canterbury Ann Taylor joins VIPs, representatives of the tourism sector in the city and other guests for an evening of medieval merriment to mark the re-launch.
General manager Lyndsay Ridley says: “Medieval minstrels and a jester will entertain our guests in the courtyard before they are invited to rediscover the Tales by taking a tour with our costumed characters.”
The Canterbury Tales is enjoying a great start to 2015 – exciting new events are planned, the refurbishment is breathing new life into the St Margaret’s Street site and it has just been awarded a special ‘Welcome Accolade’ by VisitEngland, recognising the warm welcome and excellent customer service the attraction offers to visitors.
Lyndsay adds: “Each year, our costumed characters give a warm welcome to thousands of visitors and prepare them for their pilgrimage through the streets of medieval England. We are thrilled with the refurbishment, and also pleased that we were able to support Kent businesses by employing Sandwich-based Evolution and local builders and craftsmen to carry out the work.”
The Canterbury Tales brings to life five of Chaucer’s best-loved stories with tales of love, romance and trickery, vividly recreated with all the fun of his original tales. Its stunningly accurate reconstruction of 14th century England, set inside the former St Margaret’s Church, gives visitors the opportunity to step back in time and experience the sights, smells and sounds of medieval times. Join Chaucer’s band of pilgrims as they embark on a journey from The Tabard Inn to Canterbury Cathedral.
The Canterbury Tales provides a great introduction to the cathedral city and its famous literary connection as well as being a hugely entertaining day out for the whole family. The Canterbury Tales remains one of Kent’s ‘must see’ attractions.
