Cathedrals in South East England
The South East is blessed with many of the finest abbeys and cathedrals in England. Several have fascinating stories to discover, inspirational architecture to view and often set against stunning backdrops in bustling towns and cities. Below is just a taste of what the region has to offer you when visiting.
Starting off at one of the most important and best preserved cathedrals in England, Canterbury Cathedral is a must see for anyone visiting the South East. Established over 1400 years ago, today Canterbury Cathedral is the centre of the Anglican Church and a World Heritage Site. Why not spend a morning relaxing in the Cathedral's fine garden, view what is a true testament to medieval architecture to leave yourself feeling inspired and in awe. Later on why not explore the nearby centre of Canterbury and discover a beautiful and historic city. Wander down picturesque side streets packed full of fine boutiques, welcoming pubs, quirky craft shops and fine restaurants to finish off a fantastic day out.
Next is Battle Abbey, which was built on the site of what many consider the most important event in English history, the Battle of Hastings. Today the ruins and grounds of the abbey are a great day out for the young and old, with an informative tour of the historic battle ground set amongst some wonderful rolling countryside. After exploring this historic site, why not stroll down into the nearby town of Battle, full of character it feels as if it has remained unchanged for centuries and is a great place to grab a bite to eat.
Further down the South Coast of England is Chichester Cathedral, a magnificent 1000 year old building in the centre of the City of Chichester. The Cathedral is famous for housing a number of fine historic works of art, some dating back to the 12th century. The surrounding cosmopolitan city is a shopper's dream, with bustling shops set along colourful atmospheric streets. A few miles out of the city is Fishbourne's Roman Palace, built on the grounds of a former Roman Palace, today it houses some of the country's best preserved Roman mosaics and sculptures.
Carrying on into Hampshire, you will come to the famous City of Winchester and one of the largest cathedrals in England, Winchester Cathedral. This historic cathedral has played host to many Royal weddings, Coronations and state funerals in the near 1000 years it has been standing. Today it is the burial site of many former monarchs and prominent members of English society, the most notable being the author Jane Austen. Within the grounds of Winchester Cathedral is a beautiful park, doted with medieval headstones, and provides an ideal location to view this wonderful monument. Surrounding the Cathedral is the City of Winchester, a hive of activity with many atmospheric restaurants, cafés and trendy wine bars to choose from.
Not more than a half and hours drive away are the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey, a great day out for the family, set in the New Forest close to the banks of charming River Itchen. The Abbey was partly destroyed during the 15th century, and today provides a lovely place to walk and relax in the open air. The Abbey is not the only place to visit whilst at Beaulieu, a short walk away is the National Motor Museum. The Museum houses a collection of over 250 vehicles as well a number of themed exhibitions. Close by is Beaulieu House, a fine country house dating back to the late 15th century and is the ancestral home of Lord Montagu.
Last stop on our tour is one of England's finest examples of Gothic architecture, Salisbury Cathedral. The Cathedral dominates the surrounding city and countryside with its awesome 404ft spire, the tallest in the country. Visitors to Salisbury Cathedral can easily spend a day taking in the vast amount of history and heritage on offer, for a start the world's best preserved copy of the Magna Carta is here. After exploring what is a truly impressive cathedral, wonder down to the city's centre and lose yourself down one of the small medieval streets packed full of quaint little shops and cafés.
