The Full Story
About
Canterbury's dedicated Outdoor Theatre and Events space, in the heart of the City.
With a Capacity to seat several hundred, and nestled between the waters of the Stour, the island is a beautiful natural oasis that makes a perfect venue for story-telling and adventure. Nature and a serene quiet form the island into a secret garden, and a home for Outdoor Theatre in Canterbury.
Mission
Our purpose is Theatre, educational entertainment, and adventure. Whether it is our daily historical shows, river talks, or educational hands-on experiences, each day has something to offer. In the height of the summer season, we doubly act as a receiving house for British Outdoor Touring Theatre.
Visit our blog to find out about our journey to where we are!
Vision
We love theatre, and we love story-telling.
From Campfire tales of Saxon Bards to the stages of the West End today, stories are at the heart of human interaction. We've found an opportunity, as the Bards of Binnewith, to bring story-telling to the heart of the City, in a beautiful outdoor setting like the days of old.
Binnewith's History - 2000 years of Industry and Culture
"Between the Willows"; an Island within the City
The Island sits within the oldest major City in England, Canterbury, or as known by the Romans, Durovernum Cantiacorum, or by the Saxons, Cantwaraburg.
A stone's throw from the Roman Ampitheatre, the Island was part of the first major Roman city, founded in 43-50AD. It was named by the Jutes of Kent, as "Binnewith", "The land between the willows". It first rose to eminence as the site of the Greyfriars Friary in the 13th Century. Though the main house has long since fallen to history, the Chapel can be found in marvellous condition next door. Since then it has found use as a metalworks, Dyeworks for the Tannery, and more recently, a haven for British wildlife!