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We are passionate about you exploring South East England and enjoying the many indoor and outdoor attractions on offer within the region. Whether you choose to visit those must-see royal palaces and castles, or the award-winning animal parks and gardens, discover somewhere new or re-visit a firm favourite, you'll find some of the most popular tourist attractions in England here in the South East, so you will never be stuck for ideas on places to visit and things to do whatever your interest.
With over 185 million years of history to discover the South East is littered with historic houses, enchanting castles, impressive cathedrals and inspiring museums, allowing you to delve into stories of a time long since past. Explore famous battles, smuggling adventures and stories of individuals that have changed the course of English history, you'll find them all here in the South East.
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For starters there is Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Windsor Castle in Berkshire and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in Hampshire. These award winning attractions all have the 'We're Good to Go' charter mark plus countless awards between them.
If you are out with the family, and looking for some family fun, check out the exciting theme parks, popular zoos and farm parks – all of which are sure to provide that next memorable day out in South East England. You'll also find a whole host of steam railways offering the chance to sit back and enjoy the beautiful South East countryside and kid friendly museums to discover, learn and inspire.
Learn how local food and drink is made on one of the many distillery and brewery tours on offer, or join in one of the 'Made in South East' workshops where you can make, do and create your own holiday experience. There are over 140 plus vineyards scattered across the South East for you to explore, offering the chance to enjoy a tour and tasting, a delicious lunch, or a wander around their glorious estates, as well as some great Country Pubs that showcase these local brews. Some of the most famous include Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Winchester.
South East England’s climate also makes the area perfect for must-see gardens such as Wakehurst and Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, in Sussex or Painshill in Surrey. With over 1900 hours of sunshine a year, the South East is one of the sunniest destinations in the UK. Take advantage of this fantastic location and experience a day at the races, enjoy a boat trip along the River Thames, a visit to one of the many award-winning blue flag beaches and dip you toe in the sea. With over 3 million acres of natural beauty and 400 miles of stunning coastline to explore you are sure to find plenty to enjoy here on a sunny day.
But if the weather changes, that doesn't matter too, as there are plenty of indoor attractions for a rainy day. With beautiful heritage theatres full of entertainment, comedy, drama, dance and music for you to enjoy, along with great places to shop and eat, you can stay warm and dry inside. The South East and all its diversity is ideal place to visit whatever the time of year, whatever the weather and with some great free things to do, it doesn't have to cost the earth either to get out and about on your next visit, staycation or holiday.
Browse the below list featuring some of the best attractions in the South East or for a list of local attractions near you, select map view to search geographically.
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Number of results: 270
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Museum
Margate
Margate Museum is opened by a group of volunteers called the Friends of Margate Museum who work with Thanet District Council to open Margate Museum on a regular basis.
Sightseeing
Windsor
The Changing of the Guard is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor. A band usually accompanies the Guards, although this is subject to weather conditions.
Museum
Brighton
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is located in the Royal Pavilion garden, at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter.
Castle / Fort
Dover
Discover 2000 years of history at Dover Castle! Step inside the Great Tower and immerse yourself in the medieval world and royal court of King Henry ll. Travel deep inside the White Cliffs and tour the Underground Hospital.
Church / Chapel
Burghclere
This red-brick chapel was built in the 1920s for the artist, Stanley Spencer to fill with murals inspired by his experiences in the First World War. Influenced by Giotto's Arena Chapel in Padua, Spencer took five years to complete.
Museum
Hastings
Visit Hastings’ family-friendly and diverse Museum and Art Gallery for an exploration of art, heritage and history from around the world.
Historic House / Palace
Rochester
Situated in the heart of historic Rochester, Eastgate House featured in the work of Charles Dickens.
Garden
Godalming
Established in the twentieth century, this hillside arboretum has now been maintained by the National Trust for 60 years and has built up a collection of more than 1,000 different shrubs and trees, many of them rare.
Museums & Galleries
Andover
Housed in a Georgian town house built in the 1750s, Andover Museum tells the story of the town and its surrounding area from prehistoric times to the present day.
Country / Royal Park
Eastleigh
Itchen Valley Country Park is set in 440 acres of beautiful water meadows, woodland and meadows situated beside the River Itchen and has been recognised with ten Green Flag Awards®
Museum
Eastney, Southsea
Discover the marvels of Victorian engineering that both improved and lengthened the lives of city residents.
Walking
Chawton
A 4.5-mile circular walk in the heart of Jane Austen country. Start at Jane Austen's House in Chawton and follow in her footsteps across fields and through the village of Farringdon. Jane was inspired by this beautiful countryside to write and…
Historic House / Palace
Winchester
Medieval almshouses, church, ambulatory, Brethren's Hall and kitchen, Master's garden.
Historic Site
Chatham
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a unique, award winning maritime heritage destination with a fantastic range of attractions, iconic buildings and historic ships to explore, PLUS a fabulous programme of touring exhibitions at No.1 Smithery.
Sightseeing
Discover the real South East England. Blue or Green Badge Guides who each have an unrivalled knowledge of the region and take pride in helping visitors explore its unique heritage.
Boat Tours
MAIDSTONE
The Kentish Lady River boat is synonymous with Maidstone and is one of Kent’s premier excursion providers, between Spring and Autumn we provide a unique experience of the Upper River Medway, we also offer self-drive hire on the Upper Medway with our…
Gallery
Farnham
The Sculpture Park has been open to the public from April 2003 and has been an ongoing project since the year 2000.
Distillery
Whitchurch
Located in rural Hampshire just 60 miles from London, Laverstoke Mill is a site steeped in natural beauty, sitting astride the crystal clear River Test and situated within a Conservation Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Vineyard
PULBOROUGH
Awarded Winery of the Year 2018, the beautiful family-run Wiston Estate offers Wine Tours by appointment from their vineyard nestled in the heart of the rolling South Downs in West Sussex. Each tour concludes with a guided tasting of their English…
Garden
Haywards Heath
One of the great Gardens of the Sussex Weald with a collection of rare and beautiful plants from all over the world, including breathtaking spring colour in the walled garden, an old fashioned rose garden, summer borders and much more.
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