Opticians in Canterbury
The NHS Organisation Data Service listed 16 optical sites in Canterbury when this snapshot was taken on 4 September 2026, run by 13 separate contractors and spread across 3 towns and postal towns. Every practice below can carry out an NHS-funded sight test for people who qualify. Independent practices and smaller groups make up 56% of them, so published chain prices are only part of the picture here.
NHS-funded testing in Canterbury is commissioned through NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board. The longest-standing listing dates from April 2008, the most recent from July 2026. The register has gained 1 site here in the last two years.
Optical sites
16
Contractors
13
Single-site practices
3
Towns covered
3
Who runs the practices in Canterbury
Independent and smaller groups
9 sites
Typically £30 to £60 privately
Every listed optical practice in Canterbury
Sorted alphabetically. The ODS code is the identifier NHS England uses for that site.
| Practice | Address | Operated by | On the register since | ODS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asda Opticians - Canterbury | Asda Stores Ltd, Sturry Road, Canterbury CT1 1DG | Asda Opticians | April 2008 | TP0X3 |
| Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists (Canterbury) | 44 St. Peters Street, Canterbury CT1 2BG | Bayfields Z Ltd | July 2026 | A7B3G |
| Boots Opticians (Canterbury) | Unit MSU2, 12 Gravel Walk, Canterbury CT1 2TF | Boots Opticians | April 2008 | TP5RM |
| Cargills Optometrists - Canterbury | 59 St. Peters Street, Canterbury CT1 2BE | Cargills Optometrists Llp | July 2023 | P9E2E |
| David Grimes Opticians | 44 St. Peters Street, Canterbury CT1 2BG | David Grimes Opticians | April 2008 | TP0YQ |
| Herne Bay Specsavers Limited | 6 The Boulevard, Altira Business Park, Herne Bay CT6 6GZ | Specsavers | October 2018 | TP915 |
| John High Opticians - Whitstable | 114 High Street, Whitstable CT5 1AZ | John High Opticians | April 2008 | TP0XY |
| M&S Opticians - Canterbury | 4 St. Georges Street, Canterbury CT1 2SR | Owl Optical Ltd | November 2021 | X2J5U |
| Pybus Opticians | 5 Palace Street, Canterbury CT1 2DY | Pybus Opticians | April 2008 | TP10K |
| Sanford Opticians | 14-16 William Street, Herne Bay CT6 5EJ | Sanford Opticians | April 2008 | TP129 |
| Scrivens Opticians (Herne Bay) | 130 Mortimer Street, Herne Bay CT6 5EE | Scrivens | April 2008 | TP13Y |
| Specsavers (Canterbury) | 7 Rose Lane, Whitefriars, Canterbury CT1 2SJ | Specsavers | April 2008 | TP6JL |
| Specsavers (Whitstable) | 22 High Street, Whitstable CT5 1BQ | Specsavers | October 2010 | TP13N |
| Vision Express (Canterbury) | Unit 2, 6-8 Rose Lane, Canterbury CT1 2SJ | Vision Express | April 2008 | TP74K |
| Whitstable Extra | Millstrood Road, Whitstable CT5 3EE | Vision Express | April 2008 | TP7RE |
| Whitstable Eyecare | 59 High Street, Whitstable CT5 1AP | Independent single-site contractor | May 2023 | I5S7Z |
Where they are
What an eye test costs in Canterbury
The register does not hold prices, so these are the published national rates for the chains listed here plus the usual independent range. With 9 sites in Canterbury outside the big four, expect a spread rather than a single local price.
Free on the NHS for under-16s, students aged 16 to 18, over-60s, people with diabetes or glaucoma, and people on qualifying benefits. Check whether you qualify before you book, and take an optical voucher worth £42.40 to £233.56 into account if you need glasses.
Nearby districts
Where this data comes from
Practice records are taken from the NHS Organisation Data Service reference data for Optical Headquarters and Sites, snapshot taken 4 September 2026. A listing records that an optical site was on the register on that date. It is not an NHS endorsement, a licence, a quality rating, or a guarantee that the practice is taking new patients. Opening hours, telephone numbers and prices are not held in this dataset, so confirm them with the practice before travelling.
Contains information from NHS England, licenced under the current version of the Open Government Licence. Released under the Open Government Licence v3.0. District, ward and coordinates from postcodes.io. Contains OS data (c) Crown copyright and database right 2026; contains Royal Mail data (c) Royal Mail copyright and database right 2026; contains National Statistics data (c) Crown copyright and database right 2026.
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