Things to Do in South East England

Located just west of London, Windsor is one of England's most popular towns to visit. It is most known for the famous Windsor Castle which is a huge castle built during the time of William the Conqueror. It is also the oldest castle in continuous occupation in the world. Visitors can explore the castle with a tour or an audio guide in order to learn about the castle's fascinating history. Another big draw is the traditional changing of the guard, so plan your visit accordingly. 

Aside from the castle, Windsor boasts the Windsor Great Park, one of the country's best green spaces, as well as the Savill Garden, which covers 35 acres of manicured lawns and flowerbeds. You can also take a ride on a riverboat along the River Thames to view the town from the water. There are dozens of restaurants, pubs, and bars in town, and you can take in a show at the Theatre Royal Windsor. If you're traveling with children, consider a trip to the Legoland Windsor Resort. 

With its high-speed rollercoasters, gravity-defying rides and hair-raising free-falls, Thorpe Park has long been a favorite for adrenaline junkies and at just 20 miles from London, it’s the go-to amusement park for thrill-seeking Londoners. With some of England’s highest and

fastest rollercoasters and a high scare-factor, Thorpe Park is a big hit with teenagers and adults, but there are also some rides suitable for younger members of the family.

Highlights include the eye-wateringly fast Stealth rollercoaster, the horror-movie inspired Saw rollercoaster and the Tidal Wave water ride, while family favorites include Angry Birds themed bumper cars and the beach and paddling pool. Also proving popular are the latest additions to

the park – the family-friendly jungle maze inspired by TV show ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here!’ and Derren Brown’s Ghost Train, a 13-minute-long mind-bending experience that’s the first of its kind in the world. 

The University of Oxford, located in Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second oldest surviving university in the world. It is not known what the exact date of its foundation is, but there is evidence of the university's existence dating back to at least 1096. In 1209, due to disputes, some academics split from Oxford and formed the University of Cambridge nearby. Oxford is made up of 38 constituent colleges, and the university buildings and facilities are spread throughout the city center. The university operates the world's largest university press and the largest academic library in the United Kingdom. 

There is also a 70 acre parks area and the oldest botanical gardens in the United Kingdom. The university operates several museums covering topics such as art, music, science, history, and archaeology.  Many well known people have been educated at Oxford including Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, David Cameron, Bill Clinton, Stephen Hawking, Oscar Wilde, Hugh Grant, Michael Palin, and Kate Beckinsale. Parts of Oxford were also used in the filming of the Harry Potter movies.

Windsor is a handsome town in Berkshire, southeast England, with an ancient heart, a setting along the River Thames and a connection by bridge to Eton, home of one of England’s oldest and most prestigious public schools. St George’s Chapel sits next door to Windsor Castle, which is both the largest permanently occupied castle in the world and one of the official homes of HM The Queen. The chapel was founded in 1348 by King Edward III and is a fine example of Gothic styling with flying buttresses, glorious stained glass and a vaulted interior of exceptional grandeur, as befits the place of worship of the Royal Family.

It is the burial place of 10 English kings including Henry VIII and George III, as well as many other members of the monarchy, and is also home of the Knights of the Garter; this is one of the oldest chivalric orders in the world and the highest ceremonial accolade in the UK. Members currently include the Queen, Prince Charles and former leaders of the armed services, captains of industry and ex-Prime Ministers; their heraldic banners hang high above the choir in the chapel. St George’s is closed to visitors on Sunday, but all are welcome at any of the services throughout the week; they are held daily at 8:30am, 10:45am, noon and 5:15pm.

One of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, Trinity College was originally founded as a training house for Catholic priests in the 16th century. It was a center of educational reform in the 19th century and over the years has produced three British prime ministers. The college was an all-male institution until 1979 and today has a very small student body, with just around 400 students. The grounds are surrounded by an iron palisade and consist of four major quadrangles, a large lawn and extensive gardens.  On top of the West Tower, look for four female statues representing astronomy, geometry, medicine and theology. Trinity’s chapel was the first college chapel to be designed in the Baroque style and the school is home to one of the largest chapel choirs in the university. 

Whether you’re meeting friends for coffee or bartering over artisan produce, wandering around Oxford’s bustling central market serves as a lively introduction to the city. Drawing a steady stream of both locals and tourists, the Oxford Covered Market has been at the center of local life since it opened its doors in 1774, and today remains in its original building, designed by architect John Gwynn.

Dozens of permanent stalls are found here, including butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers all selling fresh, local produce, as well as a number of clothing, jewelry and gift options. Once you’ve stocked up on picnic essentials and souvenirs, and sampled local specialties like Oxford sausage and steak and kidney pies, take a break at one of the cafes or bakeries, where you’ll find freshly brewed tea or coffee, alongside an array of freshly made sandwiches, home-baked cakes and pastries.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is an important site for the British Royal Navy, having played a part in the war against the Spanish Armada, the Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars, and both World Wars. Although the dockyard is still a working naval base, many of its historic ships have been converted into museums.

Explore famous ships such as the Mary Rose, a Tudor carrack and Henry VIII’s flagship; the HMS Victory, from which Admiral Nelson commanded the victory at Trafalgar; the HMS Warrior, an iron-hulled warship that was the first of its kind in the world; the HMS Alliance, an Archeron-class submarine; and the HMS M.33, a WWI warship. Other highlights include the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, and the Dockyard Apprentice exhibit. The interactive exhibits at Action Stations and Boathouse 4 are ideal for families with kids, with a Ninja Force assault course and other hands-on activities. 

You can explore Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on your own or opt for a guided tour to maximize your time and gain greater insight into the history of each ship. It’s also possible to visit on day trips from London or Oxford, which typically include round-trip transportation and extras such as harbor boat tours.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is located roughly 90 minutes by road from both London and Oxford. Trains from London also take about 90 minutes, and it’s also possible to arrive by ferry from France, the Isle of Wight, or Spain. Entrance to the dockyard is through the Victory Gate at the corner of Queen Street and the Hard, a short walk from the Portsmouth Harbour train and bus station. 

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is open year-round but can get crowded on weekends and school holidays, especially during July and August. During this time opt for an early morning or late afternoon visit to avoid crowds. 

Established in 1495, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the British Royal Navy’s oldest base and was once the largest industrial site in the world. Here you can find centuries of military history, with interactive exhibits that narrate the bravery and heroism of soldiers and serving personnel, offer insight into what life was like aboard these vessels, and outline how Britain came to be the ruler of such a grand empire. 

The historical city of Rochester, located east of London, was a special place for well known author Charles Dickens as this was his childhood home and the place where he lived later in life. Many buildings and other locations in Rochester were featured in Dickens' writings, more than any other city besides London. Some of the buildings that still exist today include the Restoration House, which was used as the home of Estella and Miss Havisham in Great Expectations, and the Poor Travellers House, which was featured in a short Christmas story. 

Visitors can also go to the Guildhall Museum of local history where you can learn more about Charles Dickens and his works. There is also a walking tour through the city that guides you to the buildings and locations he wrote about. Other highlights in Rochester include the Rochester Cathedral which was founded in 604 and is the second oldest cathedral in England. Visitors can also explore Rochester Castle and the views from the top of one of the tallest keeps in the country. 

Parts of the castle are open to visitors, including the State Apartments, Queen Mary's intricate dolls' house, and George VI's private apartments. St. George's Chapel is another highlight, where many royal weddings and funerals have occurred, as well as where the Queen Mother's and King Henry VII's tombs are found. On a guided tour, you can see the Great Kitchen to witness the inner workings of the castle.

Windsor is located less than an hour from central London by road. You can get there by train via London Waterloo (direct) or Paddington (one change). From the station, the castle is an easy walk. Buses run to Windsor from Victoria.

The castle is open daily from 9:45am to 4:15pm from November to February. From March to October, it closes at 5:15pm. Keep in mind that parts of the castle sometimes close for royal events.

As an official residence, Windsor Castle hosts Queen Elizabeth for a month at Easter, a week in June, and during most weekends. At Windsor, she also often hosts state dinners for international dignitaries and entertains those she has knighted into the Order of the Garter. When the queen is in residence, you can see the Changing of the Guard (as you do when she is at Buckingham Palace).

Built by master architect Sir Christopher Wren, whose later works included the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Sheldonian Theatre stands out among Oxford’s many landmarks with its grand semi-circular design reminiscent of a classical Roman theater. The Grade I-listed building has been one of Oxford’s principal venues since it opened its doors in 1668, and it even hosted the first performance of Handel’s third oratorio Athalia. Today, the theater is primarily used as the ceremonial hall of the University of Oxford.

If you’re not lucky enough to attend a lecture, concert or graduation ceremony in the Sheldonian’s 950-seat auditorium, you can still admire the opulent interiors and magnificent hand-painted ceiling when the theater is not in use. Also open to visitors is the rooftop cupola, renowned for its impressive panoramic views of the city.

Shanklin is a seaside resort town on the Isle of Wight in southeast England. The town is on the east side of the island and includes a long stretch of sandy beach. This is a popular place for swimming, sunbathing, boating, and other water activities. Other activities in Shanklin include an amusement arcade, a crazy golf course, and a children's play area. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, cafes, and pubs in the area as well. On High Street and Regent Street, you can go shopping for souvenirs, clothing, and anything you may have forgotten for your beach trip. 

The Old Village is a nice area for a stroll through thatched cottages that house tea rooms and unique gift shops. Visitors can also explore nature in the wooded ravine, Shanklin Chine, where there are many animals, rare plants, and waterfalls. It covers an area of three acres and is home to around 150 varieties of plants and at least 50 species of moss and liverworts. There is also a pond and an aviary.

A tranquil pocket of greenery stretching across the banks of the River Cherwella, the University of Oxford Botanic Garden is the UK’s oldest botanical garden, dating back to 1621. Located on a five-acre plot on the Magdalen College grounds, the diminutive garden makes up for its small size with an impressive variety of plant and flower species—more than 6,000 different ones from around the globe.

Renowned as one of the world’s most biodiverse areas, the garden hosts everything from giant rhubarb to the common stinging nettle, with highlights including the old English Yew tree, which was planted in 1645, a gigantic waterlily that could hold a child’s weight and an array of carnivorous plants. The walled garden also has a pond, a physic garden growing medicinal plants and herbs and a series of greenhouses filled with exotic plant species. If you’re craving more space, the Botanic Garden also operates the 150-acre Harcourt Arboretum just south of the city, where you’ll find wildflower meadows and bluebell woods blooming throughout the spring and summer months.

Hertford Bridge, more commonly known as the Bridge of Sighs, is a skyway bridge linking two parts of Hertford College over New College Land in Oxford, England. The Old Quadrangle, which houses the college's administrative offices, is to the south, and the New Quadrangle, which is mostly student accommodation, is to the north. It was completed in 1914 and is often referred to as the Bridge of Sighs because it supposedly looks like the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy. However, many say it more closely resembles Venice's Rialto Bridge. It is one of the area's top tourist sights due to its unique look and design. 

There was a famous legend about the bridge from decades ago that said a survey was taken of the health of the students of the University of Oxford. The results of the survey indicated that Hertford College students were the heaviest, resulting in the college closing the bridge in order to force the students to take the stairs and get more exercise. However, this legend is false and the bridge was never closed. In fact, the students would actually be climbing fewer stairs by not taking the bridge. 

With its striking neoclassical dome looming over the neighboring Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera (or Radcliffe Room in Latin) is one of Oxford’s most iconic sights and one of the most photographed of all the university buildings. Funded by Royal physician John Radcliffe and designed by architect James Gibbs, the "Rad Cam" was completed in 1749 and was originally used as the university’s principal science library.

Today the Radcliffe Camera is part of the Bodleian Library complex and houses two reading rooms and an underground library, where about 600,000 English and history books are available for browsing. The interior of building is closed to the public except with guided tours, but the dramatic circular façade still draws crowds of daily visitors with its three tiers of Headington and Burford stone elaborately decorated and encircled with Corinthian columns.

Flowing right through the heart of central London, the Thames River offers a dramatic backdrop to the city's famous skyline with landmarks lining its shores. Walk along the riverfront from Westminster to Tower Bridge and you'll pass London icons such as the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Southbank, Shakespeare's Globe, and the London Bridge.

A boat ride along the Thames River is a quintessential London experience, with popular choices including city cruises, afternoon tea or dinner options, RIB (rigid-inflatable boat) excursions, London duck tours, and hop-on hop-off boat tours. Many Thames River tours even run all the way to Greenwich, passing Canary Wharf, Waterloo, and Cutty Sark.

It's impossible to miss the River Thames on any sightseeing tour in London—it runs right through the center of the city, with cruises typically leaving from Embankment, Westminster Pier, or Greenwich Pier. The river meanders for 215 miles (346 km) from the Cotswolds in the west, through Oxford and London, all the way to the coast at Southend-On-Sea.

Thames River cruises run regularly all year round, but for the most atmospheric views, opt for a sunset sightseeing cruise or a night cruise. And for an unforgettable holiday experience, book a Christmas cruise to admire the waterfront illuminations, or take in a spectacular view of fireworks and festivities on a New Year cruise.

Look out along the Thames as you walk over the Millennium Bridge, admire the waterway and city skyline from the hilltops of Greenwich Park, or relax in a riverfront pub in neighborhoods such as Kew, Putney, or Richmond. For an aerial view, head to the top of The Shard, London's tallest building; ride the London Eye; or soar overhead on a helicopter tour.

Climbing up the hillside from the waterfront, the maze of shopping streets known as “The Lanes” make up Brighton’s most atmospheric quarter. The pedestrianized area is home to more than 200 independent shops, galleries, and antique stores, along with a great selection of cafés, restaurants, and historic pubs.

 

The only way to explore The Lanes is on foot, and with the lanes sloping down to the seafront, it’s impossible to get lost. Opting to visit with a tour guide will give you an insight into the historic quarter, its street art scene, and thriving LGBTQ community. A Lanes walking tour typically includes nearby attractions, such as the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Museum, and Brighton Pier.

 

 

Brighton's Lanes are located at the heart of Old Town just south of North Laine. Trains from London and other destinations arrive at Brighton train station, an around 5-minute walk from The Lanes.

 

The Lanes are busiest in July and August, when smaller shops and cafés can get crowded. For quieter shopping, visit on a weekday outside of peak season, or join locals for a Sunday brunch at one of the cafés.

Dating back to the 18th century, the narrow streets of The Lanes were once home to hundreds of fishermen's cottages, and their quirky, overhanging roofs were purpose-built to shelter the lanes from the coastal storms. Today, The Lanes retain much of their original character, with their old-fashioned shop fronts, brick-paved streets, flower-filled window boxes, and labyrinth of hidden passageways, known locally as “twittens.” Notable buildings include the Cricketers Arms, Brighton’s oldest pub, which dates back to 1545.