Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint
Museum in the medieval Westgate gatehouse in Canterbury, covering the city’s defences and its history as a prison, with views from the rooftop battlements.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Westgate is the largest surviving medieval city gate in England. It was built around 1380 in Kentish ragstone, replacing an earlier gate on the Roman line, and was designed to defend the city with drum towers, battlements and a portcullis. From 1453 the gatehouse served as the city prison, and its guardrooms became cells. It kept this role until the 19th century.
The gatehouse opened as a museum in 1906. It closed in 2012 and reopened in 2015. The building belongs to Canterbury City Council and is operated by the One Pound Lane company, which also runs a bar and restaurant at the foot of the gate.
Today visitors climb the narrow staircase through the former cells and exhibition rooms to the rooftop battlements. The displays follow four themes: the wars and defence of the city, crime and punishment, the history of the Westgate itself, and Magna Carta.
Highlights
- England’s largest surviving medieval city gateway
- Former prison cells with manacles
- Rooftop battlements with views over Canterbury
- Displays on the city’s defences and on Magna Carta
Permanent exhibitions
- Westgate Through History – The story of the medieval gatehouse, from its building around 1380 to its use as the city prison.
- City Wars and Crime & Punishment – Displays on the defence of Canterbury and on the cells and justice in the former city jail.
- Magna Carta – A display on Magna Carta in the upper rooms of the gatehouse.
- Founded
- 1906
- Operated by
- One Pound Lane
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3Students and concessions |
| Children & teens | £2free up to age 3 · Ages 5 to 17; children under 4 enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | £3 |
| Families | £10 |
Card payments only. Visitors with a receipt from the on-site bar and restaurant or from the Felons Coffeehouse get free entry to the museum. The escape rooms in the former jail are booked separately.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum and viewpoint can only be reached by a narrow staircase of five flights, and doorways are narrow because the building is listed. The rooftop battlements can be slippery when wet. The ground-floor bar and restaurant are fully accessible. Visitors with questions about access can email the venue.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £10 |
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Children are welcome in the bar and restaurant until 21:30 when accompanied by an adult. The museum is not suitable for prams because of the stairs.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Canterbury West station · 5-min walk
Canterbury West station is about a five-minute walk.
By car
Paid parking · 4-min walk to the entrance
Station Road West multi-storey car park is the cheapest nearby option, about four minutes on foot. Pound Lane, North Lane and Millers Field car parks are also available.
Ticketless parking requires registering with Canterbury City Council.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
The Pound bar and restaurant is at the foot of the gate; the Felons Coffeehouse is also mentioned by the venue. Dogs are allowed on the riverside terrace but not inside.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The venue offers event spaces; details are available from the venue.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | Entry to the museum is through the bar and restaurant at 1 Pound Lane. Escape rooms in the former jail are for players aged 10 and over. |
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