The Canterbury Business Improvement District team welcomed representatives from the local business community to Eastbridge Hospital and the Franciscan Gardens, Canterbury, on Wednesday 19th April.
The event included tours of the Hospital and Gardens, as well as a delicious buffet lunch provided by Lily’s Bistro.
Sophie Robins, Senior Associate Solicitor in Commercial Property at Girlings Solicitors, welcomed participants to the Hospital, with other speakers and guides unravelling some of the history of the building.
The Hospital itself – which was a hostel for pilgrims to the City, rather than a medical establishment as its name would suggest – provides a fascinating glimpse into Canterbury’s past. The building, dating from 1190, includes two chapels, a vaulted cellar where the pilgrims would sleep, and a reception room with a direct view onto the river below via a partially-glazed floor.
Behind the Hospital, the newly landscaped Medieval Franciscan Gardens provide an unexpected oasis of calm within yards of the bustling heart of Canterbury. Stretching alongside the Great Stour, the gardens include the oldest crossing point on the river; as well as a chapel, cloister garth and cutting garden.
Canterbury BID continues to provide innovative and friendly opportunities for the City’s business community to meet, network and share experiences. Girlings Solicitors are proud to support them by sponsoring these events.
