our tail
why a cat cafe?
Owner Pip shares her journey of Canterbury Tails.
From being the first human-baby addition to an existing four fur-baby household in 1995, to the inevitable conception of cat café ownership in 2018, to the long awaited opening of Canterbury Tails in 2023.
VISIT US
our loCATion
We are located at 8 Mercery Lane, Canterbury CT1 2JJ
We are right in the heart of the city, between the main High Street and Canterbury Cathedral gates. Just follow your whiskers and look for the window with some paw-sitively adorable cats lounging about - you can't miss us!
Come on over and let us warmly welcome you to a purr-fect day filled with delicious treats, kitty cuddles & all-round cat-tastic fun.
Opening hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday - 10am-6pm
- Sunday - 10am-5pm
- Tuesday - Closed
Latest bookable sessions are 1 hour before closing. Sessions can be booked online up to 45 minutes in advance.
We may accept walk-ins at the door, space permitting. We do advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment!
Please ensure to read our House Rules before booking.
OUR ETHOS
keeping it green
At Canterbury Tails, we're not kitten around when it comes to being environmentally responsible!
Our café furniture is all second-paw and has been upcycled to give it a new leash on life. Our commitment to sustainability extends to our cat crew, who have all been rehomed, and to our historical building, which has been clawfully renovated. We're all about the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle, and that includes making cat beds, toys, and merchandise from recycled materials. Our commitment to sustainability extends to the cat furniture and climbing ledges around the café, which are crafted from reclaimed and recycled materials wherever pawssible!
We're also a fully plant-based café - fur real! Our menu is paw-sitively delicious, and you won't be feline left out - we still have all your favourite drinks and treats. Unlike humans, cats are carnivores and cannot thrive on a vegan diet, so the only animal products you'll find here are in our cats' food bowls. We're not lion when we say that protecting our planet and all living beings is a top priority at Canterbury Tails!
OUR ETHOS
do good. always.
We are always striving to be the best we can. This includes proudly paying our team members above living wage, and not relying on volunteers to run our café daily. We believe in honest pay for honest work, plus want our cat crew to be familiar and feel comfortable around those in their home each day, so we have a small close-knit team, most of whom have been here since our opening in May 2023. Meet our team members here.
Find out more about our commitment to sustainability in all areas of who we are, what we do, and who we support - This extends across cat food, litter, cleaning products, our coffee & food suppliers, and more.
You can also nab yourself some tasty discounts got your own feline family with our affiliate links - because who doesn't appreciate a little treat every now and then?
paw-sitive vibes
cats & mental health
Research has shown that being around cats has positive effects on mental health and well-being. Cats have a purr-fect way of making us feel calm and relaxed, and there's science to back it up! Studies have found that spending time with cats can decrease stress, anxiety, and depression levels. Interacting with cats can even release oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone", which can improve mood and reduce stress.
OUR BUILDING
paws-itively historic!
Canterbury Tails is nestled in the heart of Canterbury at 8 Mercery Lane, one of Canterbury's oldest sites - with the original build dating all the way back to 1391! We're not kitten around when it comes to appreciating the rich history of our beloved building. We've spent hours combing through archives to uncover as much information as we can about our furry friends' abode, so relax and let us whisker you away on a journey through time.
our ethos
inclusivity
We welcome everyone with open paws!
Canterbury Tails is a safe and purr-fectly welcoming space for people from all walks of life, whether you're a seasoned cat lover, or just looking for a unique and cosy environment to relax in.
We are purr-oudly committed to inclusivity and embrace diversity, supporting our LGBTQIA+ community, welcoming all ethnicities and backgrounds, and are accessible for people with physical disabilities.
Discrimination and prejudice of any kind is is a hairball we won't tolerate here at Canterbury Tails. Come and join our fur-midable feline family, where love and acceptance are always on the menu!
Coming Soon
special events & products
We offer a range of cat themed gifts and handmade goods in our shop and online store. Not only do we handmake much of
the food and merchandise available at the café, but are proud to showcase and support the work of local artisans and small businesses to source additional food and handmade crafts.
We are all about community spirit and inclusivity, and aim to run community days working with local care homes, host speciality sessions such as seasonal craft classes, wellness sessions, afternoon tea, late night kitty yoga, student specials, feature guest speakers and educators, as well as facilitating for private hire parties and functions. Look out for posts about bookable special events on our social media!
If you are a local small business owner or independent interested in partnering with us, drop us an email today!
coming soon
adoption
While our resident felines have found their fur-ever home with us and are not up for adoption, we plan to offer a rehoming helping-hand scheme for cats needing a forever home, and those looking to bring a new furry family member into their lives. Watch this space!
