The Bat and Ball

2.0 star property
Bed & breakfast with free breakfast, near Canterbury Cathedral
VIP Access

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Photo gallery for The Bat and Ball

Free daily continental breakfast
Comfort Double Room | Desk, free WiFi
Deluxe Double Room | Desk, free WiFi
Shopping mall
Exterior

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
163 Old Dover Rd, Canterbury, England, CT1 3NX
  • Place, Canterbury Cathedral
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Marlowe Theatre
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Howletts Wild Animal Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, London (SEN-Southend)
    ‪87 min drive‬
VIP Access
Curated for quality and service, VIP Access stays consistently receive our highest guest ratings.
  • Expect exceptional service
  • Extra savings and perks for Rewards members

Room options

Comfort Double Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Family Quadruple Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

About the neighborhood

Canterbury

The Bat and Ball places you within a mile (2 km) of popular attractions like Canterbury Cathedral and Marlowe Theatre. The 6 rooms at this bed & breakfast include electric kettles and flat-screen TVs and guests can enjoy free breakfast.

What's nearby

  • Canterbury Christ Church University - 14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • Canterbury Cathedral - 18 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Marlowe Theatre - 3 min drive - 1.3 miles
  • University of Kent - 6 min drive - 2.3 miles
  • Howletts Wild Animal Park - 6 min drive - 3.7 miles

Getting around

  • Canterbury East Station - 17 min walk
  • London (SEN-Southend) - 104 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Oriole cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Two Sawyers - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Lanna Thai - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪The Lime Tree Cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Burger King - ‬17 min walk

About this property

The Bat and Ball

Bed & breakfast with free breakfast, near Canterbury Cathedral
Guests of The Bat and Ball have access to free WiFi in public areas. You'll find limited parking. Front-desk staff can help with luggage storage, and provide local restaurant recommendations.
Guests can expect free WiFi and 16-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Bathrooms offer hair dryers and free toiletries. Electric kettles, desks, and free tea bags/instant coffee are other standard amenities. Change of towels is available on request.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Limited onsite parking

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 16-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Tea bags/instant coffee

More

  • Desk

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 5:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 16

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), lockbox

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
  • Check-in: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 16
The front desk is available during limited hours. Driving? This property offers limited parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. 

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.

Property is also known as

The Bat and Ball Canterbury
The Bat and Ball Bed & breakfast
The Bat and Ball Bed & breakfast Canterbury

Frequently asked questions

What's there to see close to The Bat and Ball?

This bed & breakfast is located in Canterbury, just steps from St. Lawrence Ground. You'll also find St. Augustine's Abbey and Canterbury Roman Museum less than a mile away.

Is parking available on site at The Bat and Ball?

Yes, though parking is limited.

Does The Bat and Ball have a casino?

No, The Bat and Ball doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at The Bat and Ball?

No, there is no indoor pool at this bed & breakfast.

Does The Bat and Ball have a hot tub?

No, this bed & breakfast doesn't have a spa tub.

Does The Bat and Ball have a restaurant with a breakfast menu?

The Bat and Ball offers free continental breakfast each morning though there is no restaurant.

Will The Bat and Ball allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at The Bat and Ball.

Are there connecting rooms at The Bat and Ball?

No, this bed & breakfast doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

What is the closest airport to The Bat and Ball?

The closest major airport to The Bat and Ball is London (SEN-Southend), which is about 26.7 mi away.

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at The Bat and Ball?

No, there aren't any guestrooms with balconies at The Bat and Ball.

Reviews

The Bat and Ball Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Peta

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stopped here for a Spitfires game for our young fella and to be honest wasn’t expecting much - but we were incredibly pleasantly surprised!! This place is exceptional, easy to find, easy to access and staff instructions were friendly and easy to follow. This is a great stay!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great lication for the cricket. Nice to have breakfast with good coffee. Friendly staff at breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a beautiful place and the staff were very helpful! I had trouble navigating the narrow stairs, but Jordan was kind to help us into a lower level accommodation. The breakfast with fresh berries was perfect!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

May-Britt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect location if you want to be outside central however still close. Bus or walking distance into central. Hotel room was lovely decorated and plenty of floor area. Comfortable bed. Continental breakfast with gluten-free choices.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shem

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent value for money.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfortable room, good shower and bed. Tea and coffee making facilities were welcome. Breakfast was fine. Room was quite noisy as on main road but ok unless you’re a very light sleeper. Overall, good value. 15 min walk into town, which was fine for us and free parking was helpful
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Well presented and brilliant priced accommodation. Plenty of space and key box access was genius! Lots of drink making equipment in the room, lovely toiletries, and the included continental breakfast was perfect. Highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lovekumar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing sport for short break

Their ambiance is very nice very clear instructions and room are amazing comfortable near by cathedral and everything is in walking distance
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maria V

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Toia

Everything was good Thank you
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julian

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stewart

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing

Fantastic beautiful newly renovated hotel. Easy check in, great breakfast. Got upgraded to a beautiful suite which was amazing! Very very happy and would highly recommend
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

4/10 Poor

Libby

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I really don’t like to write negative reviews, so I will start with the positives. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable. Unfortunately it was quite noisy due to traffic and single glazed windows. We could also hear all other guests very clearly, doors banging, walking up and down the stairs and conversations. We didn’t sleep well here. The shower plug was blocked and didn’t drain sufficiently, we didn’t have electric in the morning so we were an able to make coffee and I was unable to dry my hair, resulting in missing the very very early 9am breakfast cut off time.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Traveled with family
Lovely modern room, clean & very comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Oliver

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very lovely stay, fantastic room with only a couple of very minor gripes. Heated towel rail was not working and the main window blind was broken so it was unable to be opened. Otherwise a very lovely stay, thank you Bat and Ball team.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Paul

Business traveler
Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

4/10 Poor

Adrian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Terrible nights sleep!!! So I cannot recommend.

The Good: There had been a lot of thought and love put into the redesign of this pub into a B&B: decor, furnishings, technology, breakfast, etc are all great and the staff were lovey and helpful. All great, well done. The Bad: 1. The road noise is terrible. We were in room 3 on first floor, a corner room, which was lovely. However, it fronts onto the road and traffic lights and only the larger lower window panes are double glazed. The smaller upper panes are single and most noise will come through these. They will be more expensive to double glaze and the property may be listed, which would add complications and cost, potentially. Nevertheless, completing the double glazing and adding a triple glaze pane on the inside would substantially remedy the road noise issue. 2. There were three other rooms on our floor, occupied by three ladies. They talked in the room next to us from 10pm when we got in, until 1am. I slept after that for a couple of hours before being disturbed again by the road noise and lightly dosing for another 4hrs. The walls a clearly not sound insulated, but could be retrospectively, although staff could also request/educate guests to have consideration for other guests especially after 10/11pm. Feedback is a gift to help improve. In my business, we actively seek feedback to help us improve and win more business. Hope you take this in the same way because you have a great B&B, but my primary objective in any hotel/B&B is to have a great night sleep.
Lovely shower. Good quality.
Beautifully furnished and decorated
Double and single glazing. Also, Venetians are rubbish at sound and light proofing. Use quality curtains instead.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Fred

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Room was beautiful, loved and loved the bathroom. 2 things that let it down was the amount of parking apace which made me spent money to go park somewhere else for the night which was unnecessary.Stairs narrow and both me and my partner nealry fell down. . Breakfast was something to forget as there options wasnt great and not alot off variety. ,would have loved a full english breakfast. Beside lovely place
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jackie

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It was fine
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mandy

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the bar and ball. Obviously someone really cares about comfort and standards. The young lady at breakfast was a very friendly person and all in all i would highly recommend the bat and ball for a place to stay while visiting canterbury. Beautiful bedding too.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Large comfortable room with tea and coffee making facilities. Good continental buffet breakfast selection. Close to the city and amenities. Only 4 parking spaces for 6 rooms is a little bit of a detraction from what was otherwise a good stay.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024