Discover colourful carnivals, retro comic cons, dramatic jousting and free family fun-days out across South East England this May half term. The Spring bank holiday weekend also means you'll find an ever growing number of events and activities for all ages, to get you out and about making the most of the long weekend. Whether you live here, or are just in the region for a day out or enjoying weekend away, take a look and discover what's on this half term holidays.
Find something near you to enjoy in our featured list below from value-added activities to family-friendly events. Whether your looking for something to do over half term in Hampshire or along the South Coast, in the Surrey countryside or planning on touring around the destination, use the links above to search what's on or head to the bottom of the page for a full lisiting of events across the South East over the half term holidays.
Planning a May half-term holiday? Discover great value accommodation across the South East for a spring getaway. You can also search by destinations to link up with the local offical tourism websites across the region. Our newsletter archive and YouTube channel is also a great place to discover things to do in South East England.
May half term runs from Saturday 27th May to Sunday 4th June across South East England and includes the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 29th May. This is the last of the three bank holidays in the UK in May. The May holidays generally bring brighter longer days, more consistent weather and see the South East welcoming a host of music events and food festivals, outdoor trails and evening events to keep everybody thoroughly entertained.
Find hundreds more events and things to do in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset this May Half Term holiday and Spring Bank holiday in our guide below. Whether you're looking for something near you, or if you are travelling to a part of South East England for a short break or day trip, use the 'map view' button to find something local.
Number of results: 61
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Participatory Event
Caversham
Our most popular trip takes you to Mapledurham Lock, which feels a world away from life in Reading. Following the Thames upstream, you will see wildlife, open countryside, islands and look out towards the Berkshire Downs.
Exhibitions
Maidstone
Have you ever found anything buried or buried something yourself? Take a closer look at the Bronze Age Hoard discovered at Boughton Malherbe. We take an in depth look at what makes it 'treasure', where it came from, what the pieces are and possible…
Tour
Dorking
Enjoy the summer evening commencing with our Outdoor Vineyard Train tour, your evening commences with an Outdoor Vineyard Train tour, offering spectacular views of the vineyard, overlooking Box Hill and Dorking. Sparkling wine will be served during…
Arts
Petworth
Explorations in Paint, a specially curated exhibition from the Royal Academy of Arts, features artworks not previously lent by the Royal Academy and a new work never before exhibited by Rebecca Salter PRA.
The exhibition features artworks by Sir…
Tour
Dorking
The Vineyard Tour…
Enjoy a glass of Denbies Sparkling Wine as you are taken through the vineyard to the highest viewpoint on this informative tour. Denbies Award winning Sparkling wine is made from carefully selected handpicked grapes on the estate…
Tour
Portsmouth
Turn the streets of Southsea into a 'whodunnit' treasure hunt adventure!
Please Note: The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Discover Southsea's amazing history and secret hidden gems
-Combine your skills to crack the clues and unravel the epic…
Guided Walk
Rochester
Footsteps in Time are offering their costumed guided tours to the general public on a "turn up and go" basis.
Exhibition
Bohemia Rd, Hastings
An exhibition in LEGO®
Participatory Event
Henley On Thames
Hobbs of Henley's passenger vessels the Consuta, the Hibernia and The Waterman operate frequent river trips on the beautiful Henley Royal Regatta Reach between Marsh and Hambleden Locks.
Participatory Event
Reading
Arts
Whitchurch
Visual Marks – Textile Artists have taken inspiration from the Silk Mill itself and the surrounding grounds to create a site specific exhibition "In and Around the Mill".
The group uses a variety of mediums including machine and hand stitch, paint,…
Exhibitions
Alton
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, vast quantities of paper, ink and time went into creating and maintaining communities through letter-writing. Letters joined people across distances. The first novels were written in letters, capitalising…
Countryside
Ardingly, Haywards Heath
Reconnect with nature and unwind from the stresses of everyday life at one of our forest bathing workshop.
Based on the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing allows you to slow down as you immerse yourself in the forest environment.
Swedish…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Romsey
Are you ready to slow down, forget the busyness of life and find your inner peace? This gentle, guided, 3-hour mindfulness-in-nature experience will leave you floating away feeling cleansed, calm and with a profoundly deeper level of connection to…
Special Events
Marlow
A recipe for hot Summer nights....
We aim to bring together the local Marlow & Henley crew, with good food, funky music in a relaxed setting and embody the spirit of Champagne!
Every Friday night throughout June, July & August between 5-11pm we…
Other
Brighton
Grab your friends and family and head down to The Walrus for a great night full of fun, great quiz rounds and excellent prizes!
We've got a £35 bar tab up for grabs, with the chance to gamble for the cash rollover! We've also got a prize for our…
Guided Walk
Cranbrook
Often described as one of the best places to see bluebells in the country, Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent, is also renowned for its mature rhododendrons and magnificent standard wisterias.
Food
Albourne
We are very excited to be welcoming back the hugely talented chef and local resident, Dan Matthews for his incredible barbeque. After experiencing his fantastic cooking at our Feast over Fire event in 2021 he is returning for two dates for this…
Free Event
Guildford
Independent Surrey businesses will showcase their handmade products at the beautiful High Street positioned Georgian red-brick church with medieval chapel - Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 11 March.
Treat yourself or a loved one to an abundance of…
Water Based Activities
Poole
Departing during the puffin nesting season from Poole Quay and Swanage Pier. Join us for a spectacular evening cruise along the eastern tip of the Jurassic Coast to Dancing Ledge and back. Whether you're a bird enthusiast or not, this cruise is…