Top 10 Places to Travel in South East England

Between the English Chanel and London is the most populated region of the UK. Made up of nine counties, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and West Sussex. South East England hosts many of the most prominent cultural and natural attractions.

So you are planning to travel to South East England and don’t know where to visit or what to do? Read our handy quick reference guide to some of the main sites of interest.

1 – Bodleian Library

The library is located in the centre of Oxford in a complex of fantastic historic buildings. The highly respected Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, at around 420 years old. It is the research library for Oxford University and the copyright library. The Bodleian is home to every book printed in the UK and Ireland, with over 12 million items.

2 – British Airways i360

The British Airways i360 observation tower brings a new viewpoint of the south coast of England and the city of Brighton and Hove. The futuristic glass pod will lift you 138 metres from the ground and give you 360-degree views across the city and the South Downs. It is possible to see the Isle of Wight on the clearest days.

3 – Highclere Castle

If you have ever watched Downton Abbey, you will be familiar with Highclere Castle, as it was used as the principal residence of the Crawley family. This incredible sandstone manor was fashioned by Sir Charles Barry, the lead architect for the Houses of Parliament. Highclere has been in the Carnarvon family since the 17th Century and is open to the public to enjoy the lavishly decorated interior, the Egyptian Exhibition, and the 1,000-acre grounds designed by Capability Brown.

4 – LEGOLAND® Windsor

LEGOLAND® Windsor is the most visited theme park in the UK, with over 2.4 million visitors in 2019. Almost everything in the park utilises multi-colour LEGO® bricks. There are more than 55 exciting rides, interactive entertainment zones and live shows. It is also set amongst 150 acres of stunning parkland.

5 – University of Oxford

The University of Oxford holds the title of the oldest University in the English-speaking world. Dating back to the 11th Century, the University acts as a magnet to the town of Oxford. It has a reputation for its historic architecture and, in popular culture, is the setting for many movies, including the Harry Potter films.

6 – Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle in Kent is one of Europe’s best preserved medieval buildings and dates back to the 12th Century. It has often been named the “best castle in the world”. The castle is listed in the Domesdaybook, which was completed in 1086. The 500-acre site has a moat surrounding the castle and incredible gardens.

7 – Canterbury Cathedral

Unbelievably dating back to 597, the Cathedral is UNESCO World Heritage-listed. The site has been the centre of religious activities in the UK for centuries. Famously the scene of the murder of the Archbishop, Sir Thomas Becket, the cathedral has drawn pilgrims to its doors since. It was immortalised by Geoffrey Chaucer in his The Canterbury Tales.

8 – Blenheim Palace

The palace was built in the early 18th Century and is steeped in British history. Queen Anne gave the palace as a gift to the Duke of Marlborough, General John Churchill. The gift was in thanks for the general’s role in defeating the French at the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. Sir Winston Churchill was later born here in 1874.

9 – Radcliffe Camera

One of Oxford’s most recognised and photographed landmarks is in the heart of Oxford. Built-in 1749, it was the first rotunda library in England and has an impressive and unusually shaped dome. It is one of the premier reading rooms of the Bodleian complex.

10 – The Lanes

“The Lanes” are an incredibly atmospheric maze of shopping streets in Brighton. Fully pedestrianised, it is home to more than 200 independent businesses, and there are shops, art galleries, and antique stores. The lanes are also known for their incredible selection of cafés, restaurants, and historic pubs.

Conclusion

The Top 10 places to travel in South East England is a complex list to compile with hundreds of sites to choose from. And something to suit every preference.

This list is a guide to help you enjoy some of the best the South East offers. Why not get down there for your next holiday and explore all the sites?