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Why choose London & South East England?

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Discover South East England, on London’s doorstep, with its stunning coastline, rich history and heritage and acres of natural beauty. Explore the wine capital of the UK with the chance to wander through the vines, enjoy a tour and tasting experience. Taste your way round the South East, with a host of opportunities to enjoy regional specialities, locally made produce and some great places to eat both indoor and out. Dive into a destination with royal, literary and film connections aplenty, vibrant cities, bustling towns, and quaint villages, all awaiting to be explored. 

Follow the River Thames from Reading to Windsor, Runnymede, Hampton Court Palace and through London to Greenwich and discover England’s riverside history.  

We hope that these pages provide inspiration for your group and individual itineraries. We have highlighted some great places to visit across the region. 

Countryside & Coastal Discoveries  

From the modern architecture of the Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth, to stories and charm of a boat trip along the River Thames in Windsor. The symbolic natural beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover, to the extraordinary coastal wetlands of Rye Harbour, the south coast is full of amazing places to discover.   With nine areas of outstanding natural beauty and over 11,000 miles of walking trails to explore, you'll never be short of a new place to explore. 

Inspiration

  1. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
    Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
    An important wildlife site set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape. Home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals.
  2. Spinnaker Tower
    Spinnaker Tower
    Stands at 170 metres tall, offering breath-taking 23 mile views over the city, Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. It has a high speed lift and 3 sky-high viewing decks. The thrilling glass ‘Sky Walk’ is 100m above sea level.
  3. White Cliffs of Dover
    White Cliffs of Dover
    There can be no doubt that The White Cliffs of Dover are one of this country's most spectacular natural features. They are an official icon of Britain and have been a symbol of hope and freedom for centuries.
  4. The Savill Garden
    The Savill Garden
    In 1932 Queen Mary gave Sir Eric Savill permission to develop The Savill Garden, a 35-acre garden in Windsor Great Park.
  5. Great Dixter House and Gardens
    Great Dixter House and Gardens
    Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd. It was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm and fuelled over 40 years of books and articles.
  6. French Brothers
    French Brothers
    French Brothers run boat trips on the River Thames from Windsor, Runnymede and Maidenhead. Choose from a short return trip or a full-day cruise.

Cultural Escapes

Whether it's the chance to see the stars in Greenwich, or delve into the private lives of Kings and Queens of England at Hampton Court, explore the depths of The Solent with the new 4D experience at the Mary Rose, Portsmouth, or walk the streets of one of the best preserved medieval towns in the UK, Sandwich, you'll find a cultural offering around every corner on a visit to London and South East.  

Inspiration

  1. Hampton Court Palace
    Hampton Court Palace
    Experience the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII, his wives and children in the world of the Tudor court. Admire Henry’s Great Hall and Tudor kitchens. Discover the spectacular baroque palace built for William III and Mary II and explore Hampton Court Palace’s outdoor spaces.
  2. Royal Observatory
    Royal Observatory
    Charles II established the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park in 1675 to study the stars and improve navigation at sea. You can see the clocks John Harrison developed to solve the problem of longitude here and stand astride the dividing point between east and west – the Meridian line.
  3. Sandwich Town Tours
    Sandwich Town Tours
    Discover more than 1000 years of Sandwich's rich history with the help of a volunteer guide from Sandwich Local History Society. A guided tour can take around two hours.
  4. Hastings Contemporary
    Hastings Contemporary
    Hastings Contemporary champions modern and contemporary art. An ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions includes work by important Modern British artists, internationally celebrated artists, and emerging practitioners.
  5. The Mary Rose
    The Mary Rose
    2022 marks 40 years since the Mary Rose, Henry VIII's favourite ship, was raised from the sea bed. Now on view in world-class museum within the Dockyard.
  6. Theatre Royal Windsor
    Theatre Royal Windsor
    This beautiful Edwardian theatre nestles between Windsor Castle and the River Thames and is the only unsubsidised producing theatre to operate all year round in Britain. Our repertoire is wide, ranging from the classics and traditional pantomimes to first productions of new work.

Explore Food & Drink Experiences   

Being the UK's sunniest region and blessed with chalk soil similar to that of the Champagne region of France, it's no surprise that South East England is the Wine Capital of the UK! Combine a vineyard visit with a distillery or brewery tour. Cosy, traditional pubs abound offering the best roasts and great local food. Try a sightseeing dining cruise to relax and explore. 

Inspiration

  1. Dining Cruises on the River Thames
    Dining Cruises on the River Thames
    London’s dining City Cruises on the River Thames. Unbeatable views, live entertainment and great food: one way of fitting in all that London has to offer on one of our keynote dining cruises on the River Thames.
  2. The Coastguard
    The Coastguard
    The Coastguard is Britain’s closest pub to France and has kept watch on the sea-front for more than 300 years – after a recent refurbishment you can take spectacular bay views in style while enjoying delicious food and drink.
  3. Charles Palmer Vineyards
    Charles Palmer Vineyards
    Charles Palmer Vineyards is a family run wine estate that sits within the National Trust owned 16th Century Manor House, Wickham Manor, in Winchelsea nestled within the 750-acre mixed farm producing a sparkling wine of the highest standard.
  4. The Old Brewery
    The Old Brewery
    Located just a skip away from the legendary Cutty Sark, The Old Brewery in Greenwich is a unique and quirky hidden gem in the heart of the Old Royal Naval College. On a UNESCO world heritage centre, they welcome locals and visitors all year aroun
  5. The Portsmouth Distillery
    The Portsmouth Distillery
    The Portsmouth Distillery Co. is a premium artisan spirit producer, established in 2018 at its home inside the 18th century Fort Cumberland bastion.
  6. Windsor & Eton Brewery
    Windsor & Eton Brewery
    A royal craft brewery for a royal town, with multi award-winning beers of every style. In 2010 the brewery brought craft brewing back to the heart of Windsor and our beers have won over 70 international, national, regional and local awards.
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