Ancient castles, medieval streets, brave new buildings and iconic structures: the architecture in the South East is a genuine smorgasbord of styles.

In Brighton, a wander around the exotic domes and minarets of King George VI's famous Pavilion can makes a great contrast with the peeling dereliction of Embassy Court - a once-glamorous 1930s modernist block of flats on the seafront. Just outside Brighton in the village of Stanmer, you can see eco-architecture at its best with a tour of the new Earthship Brighton. Its organic-shaped buildings have been created using recycled tyres and other waste (1st and 3rd Sunday of every month).

Fans of Modernist architecture will love the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. This classic 1930s concrete and steel building was renovated in 2005 - bringing it back to life as a cultural icon, complete with art galleries, restaurants, sea-view terraces and an auditorium.

Just outside Hastings in the village of Brightling are a series of Follies which are collectively referred to as Fullers Follies. A testament to the eccentric life of Jack Fuller, they range from the Sugar Loaf - a spire like structure that was the result of a drunken bet, to the 25 foot high pyramid mausoleum and make for an altogether unique landscape.

Savill Gardens, in Windsor, have an eye-catching Visitor Centre as an entrance to their Royal landscape. Visitors are confronted by the modernistic Savill Building, as they enter into the grounds. Inspired by the strength and beauty of a shell, it is 98 meters in length and is the largest timber gridshell in the UK

In Kent, a strange black rubber beach house overlooks the shingle beach in Dungeness, while nearby is the brand-new straw-built Romney Marsh Visitor Centre. A great place from which to observe wildlife, the centre has foundations made of cobbles and a roof covered with a plant called sedum. Or take an architectural-history tour of Ightham Mote near Sevenoaks, Kent. Since it was built as a manor house in the 13th century, generations of owners have been adapting the building according to the style of each era. It's even got cleverly incorporated 21st century additions...

Portsmouth, famed for its docks and ships both ancient and modern, might seem an unlikely place to admire architecture. But the slick new development of Gunwharf Quays is home to the Aspex Gallery - a super-modern conversion of the 19th century Vulcan Building. The sail-shaped Spinnaker Tower nearby is an eye-catching monument to the town's shipping history.

The South East is littered with intriguing architecture - discover some of the region's dramatic defences. Historic towns such as Guildford in Surrey or Hastings in Sussex and Winchester in Hampshire are all home to an eclectic mix of architecture from Tudor times to present day.