We were considering going to Canterbury on Good Friday, but I'm afraid we'll find most if not all the sites and shops closed. We could also go on the previous Sunday and have the same question, will we find most things open? Thanks! Missy

You'd need to check, but generally speaking it will be like a Sunday for most places except (obviously) for churches, and particularly Canterbury Cathedral.
http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit/index.aspx

I meant, it's more rather than less likely that churches will be devoted to their primary purpose rather than welcoming sightseers.

Canterbury Cathedral will, effectively, be closed as will it's London equivelents (unless you want to attend a service in whch case you will be welcome).

Everything else will be open.

However the pubs will shut at 10.30.

<<< Everything else will be open. >>>

British Museum isn't

Yanks aren't interested in that - they want to go to Tussaud's or Harrods. Innit.

haha.....this yank DOES go to the British Museum. I did notice that they're closed on Good Friday with the exception of ticket holders for the Terracota Warrier exhibit. I'm thinking we might just move our plans around and consider going to Canterbury on a Saturday or Wednesday. We would plan on attending service on Good Friday at Canterbury Cathedral, but could switch and do that at Westminster Abbey and remain in London on Friday when more things are likely to be open. Other than the Cathedral, we really just want to have time to wander about and get lost in Canterbury. It'll be too cold for punting, but the Roman Museum would be nice, too. Thanks Missy

If you go to www.canterbury-cathedral.org you can type in your planeed visit dates and see whether the Cathedral is open or not.
There are services in the Cathedral from 9.30 -10.30, 12.00 to 15.00 adnd 17.30 to 18.15. These all take place in the Quire. Whether the rest of the Cathedral is open during these services is unclear. There is a phone number listed you could call for more information.
Most other attractions in Canterbury are open on Good Friday.