The Old Buttermarket — Pub in Canterbury

You can find The Old Buttermarket on Burgate in Canterbury’s city centre. It's built on a site with over 500 years of continuous use as a pub since at least 1600. The venue sits above Roman remains discovered during cellar work, including flint fragments from antiquity. Locals and visitors gather here for real ales served alongside traditional British food, whether indoors or outside on the historic square.

About The Venue

The Old Buttermarket has operated as a pub since at least 1600, built on land that once hosted a butter market. Its structure features wood-panelled walls and dim, warm lighting throughout its interior spaces. The site includes Roman remains uncovered during cellar excavations, flint fragments from antiquity, but it is not listed as a protected building. One of the few remaining public houses in Canterbury with such long-standing use on this plot, it offers both indoor and outdoor seating. You can find guests enjoying evenings here for local drinks or casual dinners.

Typical Experiences

You can find The Old Buttermarket used primarily as a pub for evening drinks or socialising among locals and visitors alike. Its real ales are the central draw, served with British Pub Classics like pies and fish and chips. People often visit to unwind after work at indoor tables or enjoy lively nights out during events here. One notable feature, the underground Roman remains, is frequently mentioned by guests exploring what lies beneath this historic square setting.

Notable Features

  • Roman remains in cellars
  • Historic connection to Canterbury Cathedral
  • 500+ year history on site
  • Outside tables
  • Historic square setting
  • Indoor and outdoor seating
  • British cuisine

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Information about this venue is based on publicly available sources and may be incomplete. Last updated in March 2026.