Why visit South East England?
Two top national parks
You’re sure to find plenty of scenic spots to camp in South East England – much like the neighbouring South West region, this part of the world has two top national parks to discover.
An outdoor stay in the New Forest is an excellent opportunity to get out and about on your bike, as this former royal hunting ground has over 100 miles of clearly waymarked off-road routes.
Over in the South Downs, meanwhile, you’ll find freedom on your own two feet with walks to scenic spots like Birling Head in East Sussex, the medieval streets of Lewes or, if you’re feeling energetic, the 100-mile South Downs Way between Winchester and Eastbourne.
The coastal connection
South East England also has plenty of campsites near the beach to get stuck into and a wide variety of splendid seascapes.
Essex, for example, has its enchanting estuaries and low-lying islands, while Kent is home to the White Cliffs of Dover and historic Cinque Port towns like Hythe and Sandwich.
There’s also the gorgeous Isle of Wight whose perimeter is little like South East England in miniature – you’ll find sand, shingle and white chalk cliffs around its 70-mile shores.
More of the best attractions to visit in South East England
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Get some garden inspiration in the gorgeous grounds of RHS Wisley near Woking or RHS Hyde Hall, Chelmsford.
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Find family-friendly stays near kid-pleasing attractions like Thorpe Park, Chertsey or Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum.
Unexplored South East England
English wine
Surrey, the smallest of England’s south-eastern counties, is far-famed for its gentle landscape and particularly mild climate. This is where to come to try sparkling and still English wines – particularly rich pickings can be found in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Green spaces in the city
Can you camp in London? Absolutely – and on top of our campsites within the M25 the capital has a wide range of great green spaces to explore.
As well as well-trodden London landmarks like Green Park and Hampstead Heath, the capital has outdoor hidden horticultural gems like Kyoto Garden in Holland Park and St Dunstan-in-the-East, a ruined 10th-century church that’s been converted into an oasis of calm amid the skyscrapers.
Literary leanings
The South East has plenty of places where you can follow in the footsteps of your favourite authors and characters:
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Visit Lyndhurst, the New Forest village where the girl who inspired Alice in Wonderland spent most of her life.
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Head to Hampshire to visit the Jane Austen Museum or take a Georgian-style trip around historic Winchester.
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Take the kids to Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, and walk through Five Hundred Acre Wood, the fantastic forest that inspired Winnie the Pooh.
Here’s how
Use our filters to pick a plot in South East England or find a pre-pitched glamping stay that ticks all the right boxes.
Popular options include:
- Camping pitches in South East England with access to electricity
- Dog-friendly sites in the South East
- Family-friendly stays within easy reach of London
- Adults-only spots in South East England
Once you've camped or glamped in this cracking corner of England, you could wend your way from Essex to East Anglia and The Broads National Park, navigate northwards from London into Central England or even cross over from Kent to France by ferry or train.
For more info on camping, from what to pack to where to go, check out the articles in our guide.
