The towers were constructed using Kentish ragstone during the Hundred Years' War to defend the city against French invasion.
The building functioned as the city's gaol until 1829, with original prison cells still viewable by visitors.
The gatehouse features a working portcullis, a rare survival in English medieval defensive architecture.
The structure served as a police station and an air-raid shelter during the Second World War.
Visitors can view the original 'death mask' of a prisoner or explore the graffiti etched into the prison walls by 18th-century inmates.
Westgate Towers Museum & Viewpoint is the largest surviving medieval gateway in England, located at the western entrance to the historic city of Canterbury. Built in 1380, the structure served as a city gate and a jail for nearly 400 years. The museum occupies the former gatehouse, featuring displays on the history of the building, its use as a prison, and the city's defenses. Visitors can access the battlements for panoramic views of the Canterbury skyline and the surrounding parklands. The facility integrates modern leisure activities, specifically housing themed escape rooms within the historical interior. It is managed as part of a venue complex that includes an adjoining bar and kitchen. The site remains a primary historical landmark of the Kent region.
From the riverbank in Westgate Gardens looking up at the towers framed by the park's willow trees.
Climb the narrow, original stone staircase to the battlements for the best views, but be prepared for steep steps.
Combine your museum visit with a session in the onsite escape room to see both the historical prison cells and the modern game design.
Visit the viewing platform during golden hour for optimal lighting on the medieval architecture of the surrounding city.
Do not attempt to climb the tower if you have mobility issues, as the historical layout is not wheelchair accessible.
Wear sturdy, flat-soled shoes for navigating uneven stone floors and steep, narrow spiral staircases.
