South East England Area Guide

The South East of England encompasses seven counties: East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, as well as the capital city of London. This is the most densely populated part of the UK, with just over 16 million inhabitants (almost 9 million of whom live in London).

As well as London, the South East of England is home to historic cities including Canterbury, Chichester and Winchester, and coastal hotspots such as Brighton, Southampton and Portsmouth. There’s a huge and diverse range of attractions to explore here, from castles and cathedrals to theme parks and family attractions. And, despite the high population density, there’s also some beautiful countryside, including two national parks and an impressive 400 miles of coastline.

Top attractions in South East England

If you’re considering a city break in the South East of England, you have some great places to choose from. Here are three of our favourites:

London

As well as being the capital city of the UK, London is one of the world’s great cities, with a huge range of things to see and do. Along with well-known iconic sights such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, there are numerous world-class museums such as the Natural History Museum, British Museum and Tate Modern (all of which are free to visit).

London has vibrant shopping and dining scenes to explore, and a thriving cultural life that has everything from high-end opera and mesmerising West End musicals to small cabaret and comedy clubs. And if you’d like to slow the pace a bit, London is also a city that lends itself to walking, whether you take a stroll around Hyde Park or wander along the banks of the Thames.

Canterbury

The medieval walled city of Canterbury (in Kent) is the spiritual centre of the Church of England, and its magnificent cathedral (along with St Martin’s Church and the ruins of  St Augustine’s Abbey) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immortalised in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century masterpiece The Canterbury Tales, it has been a Christian place of pilgrimage for centuries.  

The city’s heritage dates back even further, and it’s another great place to explore on foot. As you wander among its cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, you can visit the Roman Museum and the Canterbury Tales attraction to discover more about the city’s history, take a boat trip or rent a punt to travel through the city on the River Stour, and explore the beautiful riverside Westgate Gardens. Add in a wealth of independent shops, some renowned foodie haunts and the Marlowe and Gulbenkian theatres and you’re sure to find plenty to keep you busy. 

Brighton

Only an hour from London by train, Brighton combines all the attractions of a coastal town with a Bohemian sensibility and a thriving arts and music scene. It has all the ingredients for a great day out at the seaside, with 5.5 miles of (pebble) beach, fish and chip shops and a splendid Victorian pier, complete with fairground rides and arcades. Behind the beach, you’ll find the ornate 18th-century Royal Pavilion – originally a retreat for the Prince of Wales and later transformed into a flamboyant palace by renowned architect John Nash – and the Lanes, a labyrinth of alleyways lined with quirky independent boutiques and places to eat and drink. For a breath of fresh air, good transport links mean the South Downs National Park is easily accessed from the city. Last but not least, if you’re here in August don’t miss the annual Brighton Pride celebration, one of the largest in the country, and the biggest day of the year for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Scenic countryside and coastlines of South East England

For those who love a holiday by the sea, popular seaside towns in the South East include Portsmouth, with its historic dockyards and maritime attractions, charming spots like Margate, Whitstable and Broadstairs in Kent, and the classic British resort of Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. When it comes to countryside, the region is home to National Landscapes including the Surrey Hills, the Kent Downs and the Isle of Wight. Then, of course, there are the region’s two national parks:

• The New Forest – encompassing 219 square miles of ancient woodland, heathland and coastline, the New Forest National Park is popular with walkers, cyclists and wildlife watchers, and is famously home to free-roaming New Forest ponies. The New Forest Wildlife Park, Peppa Pig World and the Beaulieu Estate, with a ruined abbey, a grand manor house and the National Motor Museum, are popular family attractions, while the coast along the Solent is great for sailing and watersports. 

• The South Downs – covering rolling hills, woodlands and coastline in West Sussex, East Sussex and Hampshire, the South Downs National Park is home to country parks, nature reserves and the 100-mile South Downs Way. The Seven Sisters Country Park, with its iconic chalk cliffs and fabulous coastal views, and the woodlands and downlands of the Queen Elizabeth Country Park are popular with walkers, cyclists and kayakers, while the whole park is an International Dark Sky Reserve, with some great opportunities for stargazing. Culture buffs can explore Arundel Castle and Fishbourne Roman Palace, while the annual opera festival at Glyndebourne (May to August) draws thousands of music lovers every year.  

Cultural highlights of South East England

Portsmouth

If you’re interested in British maritime history, Portsmouth is the place to go. The historic city on the Hampshire coastline is home to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, one of the south coast's top cultural highlights. There's so much to do here, including visiting the Mary Rose, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory ships and exploring the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. 

Alongside all of this, you can visit the D-Day Story Museum, ascend to the top of the 170-metre Spinnaker Tower for amazing views, and  enjoy some classic seaside fun in Southsea. With cultural events, restaurants and family attractions like the Blue Reef Aquarium, you should find plenty to keep you busy in Portsmouth – but if you’d like some variety, it’s handy to know that it’s easy to get from the city into the South Downs National Park, or board a ferry to the Isle of Wight.

Rye

Known for its beautiful medieval and Georgian buildings and the 13th-century Rye Castle and Ypres Tower, this historic market town in East Sussex is a great pick for a cultural day out. As you wander its cobbled streets you’ll come across art galleries and studios, independent boutiques and contemporary restaurants, and you can climb to the top of St Mary’s Church tower for panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (free to visit) is a haven for bird watchers and has great views of the golden beach at nearby Camber Sands.

 

Whether you prefer a city break, countryside walks and cycle rides in the region’s two national parks, visiting historic cultural sites or a day out on the coast, the South East of England has a place for you. If you want to keep accommodation costs down and make the most of the gorgeous scenery, check out Pitchup’s collection of the best campsites in the South East of England, which has more than 300 to choose from.