How do you get to Canterbury campus from the train station?

Arib1

Do you have to walk or this a bus cause I can't find it and have an open day in a few weeks?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Arib1

Do you have to walk or this a bus cause I can't find it and have an open day in a few weeks?

Either option would work. See the "By Foot" and "By Bus" sections of this web page.

Universities often arrange for shuttle busses to run between campus and the nearest train station on open days. However there is no information about Kent doing so on their web site (although, to be fair, there is very little information about the upcoming open day generally on the web site). I assume you've registered for the open day? Have you checked the confirmation email for details it might contain about travel arrangements?

Reply 2

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post by Arib1

Do you have to walk or this a bus cause I can't find it and have an open day in a few weeks?

Hey @Arib1,

I hope you're keeping well. 🙂

So it depends a little whether talking about Canterbury West or East. I'll try to explain it using words, but, as @DataVenia has kindly pointed out, there is also a official link to help in case my explanation falls short!

Canterbury West:
This is what I consider to be the main rail station, so I'll start off with this one.
Bus:
So taking the bus is thankfully not too bad for Canterbury West. Once you leave the station, you'll want to head right straight away, going towards St Duncan's Street, which is like the main street heading into the city gates. You'll want to cross St Duncan's Street and go left until you reach the bus stop, and then wait for the Uni 1, Uni 2, or 401 Service. This bus stop will be in front of a barbers (I think), and on the corner you should see Cafe Amis which is quite the nice Mexican resturant! All these buses mentioned though, will at the least, take you to the Keynes major bus stop for the university, by which point you can walk in whichever direction you want as you'll be on campus. You can just ask for a single to the university. Do note, whilst Uni 1 and Uni 2 continue onwards to the rest of the university, the 401 Service will only stop at the Keynes Bus Stop. Either ways, you'll end up at the main bus stop.
Walking:
As for walking, again, heading right from the train station, you'll want to take a right again, and just walk up the hill for 15 minutes until you reach the University of Kent sign. At this point, you'll want to turn left, and walk for another 5 minutes until you'll reach the Keynes entrance, bus stop, and the plaza, which hosts the main buildings around. It's honestly a relaxing walk, but I wouldn't recommend it for going to the open day, especially if it happens to be raining that day.

Canterbury East:
Bus:
Canterbury East actually doesn't require you to cross any major roads which is nice (though, tbh, you only had to cross 1 for West). Immediately after leaving, you'll want to turn right, and if you follow the road, you should after the natural bend see the bus stop. Again, you'll want to look out of the Uni1, Uni2, or 401 services, and take these.
Walking:
Walking from Canterbury East is more of a challenge, so I would recommend taking the bus, especially if its only for an Open Day. Regardless, what you might want to do is rather than go left, head straight towards the bridge, pass over it, at which point you'll be at Dame John Gardens. From here, given you're basically at the south of the city, you can take a variety of paths walking, but you could also walk to the other side of the gardens (either via the footpath or walking on the walls), cross the road, and find yourself at the main city bus stop, where again Uni1/2, or 401.
If you're very focused on only walking though, then what you can do after crossing the bridge, is walk alongside the footpath which outskirts the city, until you reach the city gates, then walk away from the city towards the hill, until you reach the University of Kent sign, turn left, etc. This will take you about 40/45 minutes though, which is not preferable.

Anyways, I hope this has answered your query, or at least helped a little!
Once again though, as DataVenia kindly mentioned, the website does also show directions, though just note that Triangle Service has now changed into the 401 service!

Warm regards,

David 🙂
University of Kent Student Rep