Spring Staycations in South East England

31st March 2026

Spring Staycations in South East England

As the days become longer and warmer, gardens start to bloom and wildlife is in abundance. Make the most of this wonderful, fresh season with a Spring staycation in South East England. Where will you be heading this Spring? Share your thoughts and pictures with us by tagging us @visitsoutheastengland. 

Stay on a working family farm on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is an UNESCO Biosphere reserve, made up of over 60% farmland. With a unique microclimate, spring is the perfect time to get outdoors on the island without the summer crowds. Known for its stunning natural beauty and rich agricultural history and traditions, a farm stay on the island is a wonderful way to connect with the natural world. Nettleton Farm, near Ventnor has been in the Morris family for over 100 years and offers nine self-catering cottages sleeping three to ten people. Kids will love the petting farm, the play areas and sports field and families can join farm feeding tours to experience a day in the life of a farmer.

Relax with an intimate Beach Retreat in Folkstone, Kent

Nestled in a natural stretch of grassland between Romney Marsh and the English Channel, CABÜ by the Sea offers an intimate coastal retreat just steps from St Mary’s Bay, a lovely expanse of sand with far reaching views to Dungeness and Folkestone. Choose from cosy studio cabins, luxury beach cabins or a three bedroom house boat, all built around a central CABÜ House, where you’ll find groceries, outdoor dining and a team providing advice and bookings for local excursions and activities.  Brave a swim in the sea or walk/cycle from St Mary’s Bay to Hythe - there are promenades on two levels the whole way.

Sip English wine at your Shepherd’s Hut overlooking the Vineyard, East Sussex

Drink in the fresh air in 1066 Country with a Shepherd’s Hut stay at Oxney Organic, the leading single-estate producer of English organic wine  Located in a small paddock next to the Pinot Noir, a stay in the Shepherd’s Hut includes a complimentary bottle of wine from the estate plus tours, tastings and picnic lunches.  Take in the wonderful Spring Gardens of nearby Great Dixter House & Gardens, a vibrant, daring, and immersive garden with a 15th century house restored by Sir Edwin Lutyens. In the Sunk Garden, borders burst with colour from Tulips and Smyrnium perfoliatum in the spring and the octagonal pond is full of Great Crested Newts.

Grab the binoculars and go birdwatching on Portsea Island, Hampshire

The harbours, mud flats and nature reserves around Portsea Island are rich in food and amongst the UK’s most important locations for migratory over-wintering wildfowl. In Spring many of these birds return from migration and can be seen fishing throughout the harbour’s lagoons and shoreline. Stay at Langstone Quays Resort a 4* harbour-side hotel - Langstone Harbour supports approx 30% of the UK’s entire population of Brent Geese returning from Siberia. Look out for black-headed gulls, Mediterranean, common terns, sandwich terns and little terns arrive back from migration from April onwards and they can be seen fishing throughout the harbour’s lagoons and shoreline.

Enjoy award winning Spring Gardens all to yourself, Walmer Kent

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Spring Gardens at Walmer Castle, near Deal where there’s eight acres of award-winning gardens to explore. Book a stay at The Greenhouse Apartment situated with the castle grounds and offering stunning views over the castle and kitchen garden, and make the most of having the gardens all to yourself in the late afternoon/evening. By late spring the herbaceous plants of the Broadwalk come alive with fresh foliage providing vibrant colour through the seasons.   Walk Britain's most famous coastline to Deal Castle, just two miles away, where you can uncover magical creatures from English myths and legends by following a Folktale Creature Trails, across the site.

Pitch a Tent riverside in the picturesque village of Hurley, Berkshire

Nestled in a picturesque riverside village between Henley on Thames and Marlow,  Hurley Riverside Park celebrates its 100^th birthday this year, having been run by four generations of the same family since 1926.  The family and dog friendly campsite and touring park has direct access to the river so is ideal for paddleboarding, canoeing and riverside picnics. For scenic walks and bike rides follow the Thames Path National Trail -  the route to Henley-on-Thames offers particularly picturesque river views and great picnic stops.   Nearby popular family attractions include the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Beale Wildlife Park  and Legoland Windsor.

Spring Blooms, Bunting and Bells at Whitchurch Folk Festival

There'll be music, singing, dancing and Morris bells around every corner at the Whitchurch Folk Festival on Saturday 9th May 2026. The heritage buildings of Hampshire’s smallest town – much of which is a conservation area - will be decorated with spring blossoms and bunting for the joyous and vibrant festival of all things folk. Take part in Ceilidh, Maypole or local Hampshire Step Dancing, see Morris and folk dancing displays, enjoy live music on the fringe stage and a traditional Jack in the Green parade.  There’s also story telling, music, dance and arts for all ages at the Children’s Festival.  Stay at the nearby Oakley Hall, a family friendly country house hotel. Until the 12^th April 2026, families are invited to join the hotel’s Spring Scavenger Hunt through the gardens & woodlands. Tick off your nature list and search for hidden Easter Eggs.  

Tee off on a Championship course in White Cliffs Country, Kent

White Cliffs Country is recognised as one of the best places in England to enjoy a round of golf with three of the links golf courses ranked in England’s Top 30. Top of the list is Royal St George’s, the first English course to host the Open Championship and is the fourth most-used Open venue after St Andrews, Prestwick and Muirfield. For Golf with a view, tee off on top of the world-famous White Cliffs at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club with views across the English Channel to France.  Stay in a lodge or lavish suite at Princes Golf Club, nestled on the Bay of Sandwich, offering 27 holes, three circuits, and stunning views across the English Channel and over to the White Cliffs of Ramsgate.

Get Active in Thanet, Kent

Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate offer the perfect locations to get active at the coast from gentle guided walks and cycle trails to more adventurous watersports.  Take a themed, guided bike tour to discover local history, countryside and conservation, award winning art, blue flag beaches, spectacular cliffs and chocolate box villages. Families love the mostly-flat Viking Coastal Trail with traffic free promenades and broad sea walls and leisurely country lanes. And there are plenty of places to hire bikes and e-bikes in the region. Stay at the stunning Quex Park Estate in Birchington where you’ll find a peaceful holiday and touring park or a recently opened glamping site with 20 Bell Tents.

Sustainable Camping on the South Coast, East Wittering, Sussex

Sandwiched between the South Coast and South Downs National Park and just minutes from the popular East Witterings beach, Stubcroft Farm is a award winning, family run campsite, highly praised for their standout sustainability and surrounded by arable fields and countryside. In Spring, the birdsong of their 78+ species on the farm becomes more frequent, as does the appearance of local wildlife including deer, hedgehogs, foxes, rabbits and rare butterflies.  Walk to East Wittering beach and neighbouring Bracklesham Bay for bucket and spade fun and head into the village centre for independent shops and cafes.

Where will you be making the most of Spring this year? Share your thoughts and pictures with us by tagging us @visitsoutheastengland.