S E England Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

the world's oldest and largest continuously occupied fortress, one of the Queen's main residences, with impressive state rooms and chapels

stunning Gothic cathedral with exceptional, medieval stained glass windows, home to the Church of England and scene of Thomas Beckett's murder

spectacular setting atop the White Cliffs of Dover, this large fortress includes a Roman lighthouse and secret wartime tunnels

this magnificent eighteenth century palace featuring formal gardens, arboretum and lake, was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill

Imaginatively displayed with interaction exhibits telling the story of this favourite ship of Henry Vlllth, featuring weapons, tools and possessions of the men who sailed her

housing a permanent exhibition from Tutankhamun's Tomb, discovered by the 5th Earl and exhibits from the popular TV series, Downton Abbey, which was filmed here

with over 50 interactive rides, building workshops and much more! Children 2-12 can take to the road, soar through the skies and sail the seas in complete safety

100s of animals – including giraffes, tigers & penguins, set in a 140-acre park with daily talks and animal feeding and 4 adventure playgrounds

over 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park

rescuing and conserving historic buildings, teaching traditional trades and crafts to ensure their preservation and sharing the untold stories of rural life

set in a magnificent deer park, the ancestral home of the Russell family for nearly 400 years has many attractions, including a famous wild life reserve

lots to keep all the family busy here. From transport and industrial heritage to nature trails and craft workers

finely preserved interior and rare collection of paintings by renowned artists including Canaletto and Gainsborough, surrounded by extensive gardens

museum of art and archeology, founded in 1683, with world famous collections from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art

ruins of Norman abbey, built on the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, with battlefield views, visitor centre and Victorian walled garden

covering 125 million years of history, with displays including dinosaur footprints and a Saxon battle-axe believed to be a unique relic from the Battle of Hastings

with full size replicas of aircraft such as the Spitfire, this museum has one of the largest collection of Battle of Britain relics. All the exhibits are housed in war damaged 1940s buildings

bringing the downland landscape & vegetation to life through a series of displays & an audio-visual show

specialising in captive breeding of rare birds and providing a relaxing environment with extensive playground areas and a miniature ride on train

opened originally as a Victorian garden in 1843, with modern attractions including a water coaster, maze and themed areas

explore, experience and enjoy the once top-secret world of iconic Codebreaking Huts and Blocks set within an atmospheric Victorian estate

nearly 60 years old, this classic railway has featured in many films and TV programmes. It runs from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead

with over half a million specimens, such as dinosaur bones, butterflies and stuffed birds. There are many hands-on activities, and several temporary exhibitions.

little changed since completion in 1583 - wide variety of paintings - tapestries - porcelain - 17th century needlework - rare James I carpet - period furniture - tea barn

Discover a Brighton of the past: a bustling little fishing village on the south coast which was transformed into a fashionable seaside resort through a series of audio-visual displays, artefacts and exhibits, including several boats

containing an impressive collection of art deco, art nouveau and fine art paintings with many historical artefacts from around the world. The museum also hosts a wide range of temporary exhibitions

this Victorian pier contains a range of fairground attractions, arcades, bars & restaurants. Fun for all the family

with 5,500 varieties of marine life housed in restored Victorian buildings, offering from the curious and the rescued, to the rare and the enigmatic

designed by the creators of The London Eye, glide up to 450' in this futuristic glass viewing pod for a birds' eye view of Brighton and the South Coast

deer park with ride on tractor and trailer rides, farm animals which can be handled by the children, picnic area and adventure playground

dating back to the sixteenth century with a sympathetic extension designed by Lutyens and a stunning garden, the work of the gardening expert, Christopher Lloyd

showcasing best practice in care and health whilst allowing visitors to get close and interact with the animals in a fun and informal way

Beautifully situated on the banks of the Thames. Step back in time, walking on the original marble floors and admiring the re-imagined 17th Century garden

perfectly preserved, medieval, moated manor with a deep sense of history, with tranquil gardens where the streams and lakes are fed by natural springs

showcasing over 900 years of captivating history, including the unique dog collar museum and surrounded by a romantic moat and lovely gardens

home of the Hart Dykes since the 15th Century, the historic mansion boasts a great hall, grand staircase and library. The gardens have recently been updated to include thousands of rare, unusual and beautiful plants from around the world

featured in many films and TV programmes, this preserved railway has large steam locomotives and runs from Alton to Alresford

step into this 125 acre oasis with peaceful tree lined riverside paths, picnic spots, a wetland boardwalk, and open air theatre and cinema in the summer months

a lovely 18th Century house with an unusual drawing room pained by Rex Whistler, a permanent 20th Century art collection and magnificent gardens

make the most of the great outdoors. From paddling on the Beaulieu River to cycling through the beautiful New Forest woodland, adventure awaits

Queen Victoria's palatial holiday home offering a treasured insight with a visit to the private apartments and the Swiss Cottage where the children played

overlooking the picturesque Beaulieu River millpond, remodelled and extended during the 1800s, now a fine example of a Victorian country house

covering 2500 acres, escape to the great outdoors with wide open spaces, grasslands and deer herds, just a stone’s throw from central London

take a trip back in time on this light gauge, period railway with its iconic steam trains that have featured in many films and TV programmes

discover the world of science behind the botanical collections, with over 50,000 living plants to be found in a variety of settings

seaside retreat of King George lV, exuding a distinctive Indian style with opulent Chinese interiors and furnishings

housing one of the finest collections of fully restored motorcycles in the world, including factory racers and exotic prototypes

extensive garden of varied colour, perfume and sound with winding paths, majestic trees with self led family activities

boasting picture perfect views, lakeside walks and temples creating a monumental landscape that changes with the seasons

The heart of the Museum is its central 1930s gauge 0 model railway layout, there are also model airplanes and period slot machines

formerly a Royal Navy dockyard and now the most complete dockyard museum from the Age of Sail with inter-active exhibits for all ages

3 galleries, packed with activities perfect for 6 to 12 year olds. Find out about Roald Dahl's school pranks and peek into the author's original Writing Hut

spot kingfishers, hand feed geese at World Wetlands and stroll gentle, quiet paths to watch wildlife. Stunning views and children's play area

striking contemporary art gallery, on site of JMW Turner's guest house, with high-calibre exhibitions and stunning sea views

lose yourself along the 200ft long herbaceous border, formal knot and rose garden, waterlily canal or riverside walk. Has a wide range of year round events, including arts and crafts and gardening courses

historic village with many buildings of architectural interest including the Hellfire Caves (not National Trust), shops and cafés

beautiful Palladian mansion with original delicate plasterwork and elegant staircase surrounded by magnificent wooded parkland

the oldest model village in the world with a wealth of miniature architecture from the 1930s rural England, including a model railway

one of the largest community-orientated leisure centres in the South of England. The Centre offers something for everyone with a superb range of facilities includes swimming pools, athletics stadium, gym, spa etc

surrounded by attractive gardens, home of Sir Winston Churchill for more than 40 years containing memorabilia as well as his art work

focusing on vernacular buildings – the past houses and workplaces of ordinary people that are gradually disappearing from the landscape

a series of gardens, each with its own character, featuring topiary, statuary, water gardens, a formal parterre, Octagon temple, woodland and riverside walks

superb Tudor manor with a fine collection of portraits and furniture and often used in films and TV productions

the house, fully restored after the fire in 1960, features the furnishings & art collection of Ralph Dutton and is surrounded by magnificent gardens

beautifully preserved railway with Victorian and Edwardian steam engines. There is also a children's playground and woodland walks

collection of large cats and venomous snakes on display. Various shows, talks and demonstrations

where Jane Austen lived and wrote some of her finest work with letters, memorabilia, illustrated books and other contemporary artefacts

dating back to 1455, with rare stained-glass windows, exposed wattle and daub walls and the original stabling for the inn

set in the tranquil surroundings of the Thames with an extensive collection of paintings and objets d'art and a working watermill where they sell their own milled flour

20th Century gardens with hidden pathways and colourful borders using Mediterranean style planting, which takes advantage of the southerly location

housing designated collections of national importance covering agriculture, crafts and rural life with children friendly exhibits

built in 1862 and used during both world wars, with the original gun barrels in place all brought to life with vivid displays and cartoons

Europe's largest collection of otters, owls and other with animal encounters, feeding sessions and keeper talks throughout the day

the inspiration of the talented Messel family with Rose Garden with many old fashioned, scented blooms and elegant, yet comfortable house

with lots of interactive exhibits catering from the serious student to the youngest child covering Reading's history from pre Roman times to the Victorians

with a nature trail and waterfalls, which is illuminated during the summer evenings, this gorge has been a popular visitor attraction for over 200 years

spectacular views across the Solent from the top of this magnificent and graceful structure on Portsmouth Quays

a major work of architecture on an immense and palatial scale with work from leading 18th Century architects including Vanburgh, Adam and Soane

picnic by the lakeside or take a tour covering 500 years of history including a Tudor chapel and the Neo classical hall

be taken on a tour of these old smuggling caves guided by Hairy Jack. He pops up all over the place to tell tales of how the excise men tried to catch smugglers & what they did when they caught them!

a hospital in the medieval sense of a hospice for the elderly. Set in a magnificent Tudor building and still in use today. Visitors can take guided tours round this splendid building

enjoy a walk through this beautiful setting with free wine tastings and staff willing to answer questions.

the museum honours the British Army from the mid Victorian era up to the present. There is a children friendly assault course and a family picnic area

creating the story of the rainforest, this exotic wildlife park has many unusual and rare animals. Conservation is the driving force behind the zoo, participating in breeding programmes and public education

beautiful medieval house is part of the story of King Henry VIII and his divorce settlement with his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Highlights include atmospheric furnished rooms and a Tudor garden with traditional plants

portraying the history of Arundel through a collection of tools, photographs, clothes & weapons

lauded as "Britain's most beautiful waterway", the canal runs through unspoilt countryside in the heart of North Hampshire. The Visitor Centre provides a history exhibition & information point

with something for everyone and boasting an outstanding collection of conifers, this large pinetum is a beautiful setting for family picnics

Beech Court Gardens in Challock, Kent, boasts vibrant, diverse plantings, tranquil woodland walks, and stunning seasonal colours, ideal for garden enthusiasts.

beautiful grounds surround this 18C house which is home to a wonderful collection of clocks, paintings & much family memorabilia

the South East's largest lake which offers activities all year round from water sports in summer to interactive exhibitions in winter

a wide variety of birds in wonderful surroundings. Discover the Forest Lodge Garden Centre and children's farm

Working farm with farm animals tractor and pony rides. Other activities include lambing, shearing & brass-rubbing

a romantic fairy tale castle with an intriguing past with a rare, original port culls in the gatehouse

The main research library of the University of Oxford, and one of the oldest of its kind in Europe

visit these beautiful gardens featuring a raised lily pool leading into a walled garden

the quintessential romantic castle, Carisbrooke has been an Elizabethan artillery fortress, a king's prison and a royal summer residence

the ‘Great House’ referred to in Jane Austen’s letters, now sensitively restored and find inspiration in the lives and works of our women writers

showcasing every 18th century style from Palladian and Neo-classical to Chinoiserie and Gothick fantasy. Frequented by Florence Nightingale

impressive remains of a roman villa built around 75AD. Stroll around the recreated Roman gardens and enjoy the largest collection of mosaics in situ in the England

country home of Benjamin Disraeli, housing a fascinating collection of his memorabilia. Also Second World War rooms, with interactive exhibits and eye-witness accounts

a private collection with over 2000 exhibits dating back to 2000BC including a bisque doll presented to Queen Victoria

riverside site of the sealing of Magna Carta, with memorials to same, John F Kennedy and the Commonwealth Air Force

boasting a superb collection of artefacts and memorabilia from the Duke of Wellington and surrounded by an extensive country park

tells the story of Reading's two rivers - the Kennet and the Thames with a beautiful gypsy caravan and preserved turbine machinery

French Renaisssance style chateau, home of the Rothschilds, who were great collectors of the 19th century, seeking the highest quality of workmanship

18th Century home of the infamous Sir Francis Dashwood, founder of the Hellfire Club, surrounded by Italianate gardens and park

Windsor Great Park in Berkshire encompasses vast landscapes, ancient woodland, historical monuments, and the Long Walk, offering picturesque views and royal connections.

Down House was Charles Darwin's home, showcasing his study, extensive gardens, and insights into his groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

17th century Baroque building, former county hall, now housing local museum containing exhibits on local history and archaeological displays as well as a programme of different exhibitions throughout the year

a wealth of exhibits ranging from ancient times to the present day. Features include a 19C room, a museum of the Iron Age & life size historic models

11 acres if gardens landscaped by Capability Brown. The history of the ruined 18th Century house is depicted in the Gate House Museum

famed for Royal Ascot week held in June, but other racing is also held here and a programme of summer concerts and events

Ashford Borough Museum, housed in a 17th-century building, presents Ashford's rich history through engaging exhibits spanning from the Roman era to modern times.

modern museum in canal-side location covering Banbury's local history and its canal heritage

located in part of the old Norman castle, one of Britain's oldest caves and the oldest surviving medieval feature of the town

a Tudor House built in 1530 exhibiting the history of the site & the people who once lived there. Features include 17C gardens. Basing House was built on a Norman castle which was destroyed after the civil war