Hotels in Canterbury

Canterbury: Shaker Heritage on the Merrimack Plateau

Canterbury is a rural town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, roughly 15 miles north of Concord. The town's defining landmark is Canterbury Shaker Village, a 694-acre National Historic Landmark preserving 25 original buildings from a religious community established in 1792. The village operated continuously until 1992, making it one of the longest-lived Shaker settlements in North America. Guided tours run spring through fall, covering workshops, herb gardens, and a functioning creamery that recalls the community's agricultural economy.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Visitors arrive primarily for heritage tourism and autumn foliage, which peaks in mid-October across the surrounding hills. Canterbury has no concentrated hotel district; most accommodation clusters in Concord (15 miles south on Route 3) or Laconia (18 miles north via Route 106). A small number of bed-and-breakfasts operate within the town limits. Canterbury Shaker Village sits on Route 132, accessible only by car — no public transit serves the area from any direction.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Take I-93 to Exit 17 near Concord, then Route 4 east connecting to Route 132 north; the drive from Manchester Airport takes roughly 40 minutes.
• Village season: Canterbury Shaker Village opens May through October; reserve guided tour slots in advance for summer weekends.
• Foliage window: Peak color typically arrives the second or third week of October in Merrimack County.
• Lodging base: Book in Concord for the broadest hotel selection within 20 miles of the village.