100 St. Stephens Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7JL Telephone/Fax: 01227 767644 Mobile: 07050 087094 AA 3 Stars
St. Stephens Guest House is a Tudor style building set in attractive gardens with 12 very comfortable en-suite bedrooms. It has its own private car park. A 10 minute walk down the river Strour will bring you to the High Street, and 12 minutes to the Cathedral gates. St Stephens is also the nearest Guest House to the principal part of the University of Kent, and a similar distance to Christchurch College (university). It has been professionally managed and owned by the same family for the last 10 years.
All rooms have en-suite facilities with softened water, remote control TV, hospitality tray, alarm clock/radio and hairdryer.Ground floor rooms are available. You will have your own keys, so there is no restricted access. Come and go any time. All bedrooms and the dining room are non-smoking. There is also a private 'Guests Ironing Room'.
The Wedgewood Dining Room looks out over the walled garden. Take a leisurely breakfast from a Continental up to a full English with self-service buffet offering: - a choice of juices, a variety of cereals, muesli, fresh fruits, yoghurts, and grapefruit, prune or pear compotes.
The Residents Lounge overlooks the garden and sun-terrace, and is available to guests at all times.
Tariff (all rooms en-suite) Including breakfast
Single
£39.00 to £45.00
Double / Twin
£59.00 to £68.00
Family Room (3)
£78.00
Family Room (4)
£88.00
Suite: -
Minimum period 7 days Maximum period 1 year
Full written details on request
St Stephens has a Private Car park to the rear, with CCTV and automatic floodlighting.
Located just outside the old city walls, St Stephens Guest House is ideally situated. In Canterbury itself you will find the Marlowe Theatre, a very varied selection of restaurants and an excellent shopping centre. As well as Canterbury itself, the surrounding area has many attractions and places of interest awaiting you.
DIRECTIONS
From London: - (M2) exit junction 7. Turn right onto the A2 signed 'Dover'. Travel 5 miles, and exit Canterbury A28. At the first roundabout turn left onto London Road. At the end turn left and immediate right into Fourty Acre Road. At mini roundabout turn right, past Beverley pub, over railway level crossing and your next left is Market Way. The entrance to the car park is 50 yards on the right.
From Dover: - Coming up the A2. Exit the dual carriageway the first time you see Canterbury. When you come to a roundabout, take the 3rd exit. Straight through traffic lights. At next roundabout turn right. At next roundabout, turn left. Go straight over the next 3 roundabouts. St Stephens is 20 yards on the right. Make a first right to the car park at the back.
The history of St Stephens Guest House
St Stephens was built in 1874 as a private house.
It became a guest house in the mid 50's. Its first extension was done in 1960, the 2nd in 1991 and the 3rd in 2000.
However, the site on which St Stephens Guest House stands has a darker past. It used to be known in the 14th and 15th centuries as 'St Stephens Cross'.
Unlike today, there was a time in the middle ages when even the most inoquouse of crimes received harsh punishment. Imprisonment was mainly reserved for Religious and Political offenders, the most common being Debtors. Day to day crime, other than murder, was predominantly dealt with by corporal punishment, ranging from a good flogging, branding-irons though to the loss of a body part.
Criminals and lesser offenders who committed offences in the north and northeast of the county had their cases heard by the courts in Canterbury. For murder your punishment was most likely to be death, but not always.
There was however one person, possibly looked upon like the terrorist of today, whose fate and end was predetermined. He could certainly expect to be hung or beheaded, but most likely hung, drawn and quartered. The inner walls of the city of Canterbury was not a place that wanted to be associated with such activity. Nor was the local church, built in 1170AD, going to have such characters buried in its hallowed grounds. So you will not find any of their graves at St Stephens church, up the road.
Who was this latter-day terrorist? None other than the highwayman. His punishment/execution was reserved for a special place. Yes, you've guessed it 'St Stephens Cross'
