Places to visit in the South East of England
South East
Amberley Working Museum
Amberley, Arundel
Tel: 01798 831370
www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
Open-air industrial history centre in chalk quarry. Working craftsmen, narrow-gauge railway, early buses, working machines and other exhibits. Nature trail and visitor centre.
Arundel Castle
Arundel
Tel: 01903 883136
www.arundelcastle.org
An impressive Norman stronghold in extensive grounds, much restored 18th/19th century, 11th century keep, 13th century barbican. Barons' hall, armoury, chapel. Van Dyke and Gainsborough paintings.
Battle Abbey & Battlefield
High Street, Battle
Tel: 01424 773792
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Abbey founded by William the Conqueror on the site of the Battle of Hastings. The church altar is on the spot where King Harold was killed. Battlefield views and exhibition.
Bekonscot Model Village
Warwick Road, Beaconsfield
Tel: 01494 672919
www.bekonscot.org.uk
The oldest model village in the world, Bekonscot depicts rural England in the 1930s, where time has stood still for 70 years. Narrow gauge ride-on railway.
Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum
Halland, Lewes
Tel: 01825 840573
www.bentley.org.uk
Over 1,000 wildfowl in parkland with lakes. Motor museum with vintage cars, house, children's play facilities and woodland walk.
Blenheim Palace
Woodstock
Tel: 01993 811325
www.blenheimpalace.com
Home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough. Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Designed by Vanbrugh in the English baroque style. Landscaped by 'Capability' Brown.
Brooklands Museum
Brooklands Road, Weybridge
Tel: 01932 857381
www.brooklandsmuseum.com
Original 1907 motor racing circuit. Features the most historic and steepest section of the old banked track and 1-in-4 test hill. Motoring village and Grand Prix exhibition.
The Canterbury Tales
St Margaret's Street, Canterbury
Tel: 01227 479227
www.canterburytales.org.uk
An audiovisual recreation of life in medieval England. Join Chaucer's pilgrims on their journey from the Tabard Inn in London to St Thomas Becket's shrine at Canterbury.
Compton Acres
Canford Cliffs, Poole
Tel: 01202 700778
www.comptonacres.co.uk
11 distinct gardens of the world. The gardens include Italian, Japanese, Spanish water garden. Deer sanctuary with treetop lookout. Restaurant and a craft centre.
Dapdune Wharf (National Trust)
Wharf Road, Guildford
Tel: 01483 561389
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Dapdune Wharf is the home of 'Reliance', a restored Wey barge, as well as interactive exhibition which tells the story of the waterway and those who lived and worked on it.
Didcot Railway Centre
Great Western Society, Didcot
Tel: 01235 817200
www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Living museum recreating the golden age of the Great Western Railway. Steam locomotives and trains, engine shed and small relics museum.
Dover Castle & Secret Wartime Tunnels (English Heritage)
Dover
Tel: 01304 211067
www.english-heritage.org.uk
One of the most powerful medieval fortresses in Western Europe. St Mary-in-Castro Saxon church. Roman lighthouse, secret wartime tunnels, Henry II Great Keep.
Eagle Heights
Hulberry Farm, Eynsford, Dartford
Tel: 01322 866466
www.eagleheights.co.uk
Bird of prey centre housed undercover where visitors can see eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and vultures from all over the world. Reptile centre, play area and sandpit.
Hastings Castle & 1066 Story
West Hill, Hastings
Tel: 01424 781112
www.visithastings.com/attractions/default_castle.asp
Fragmentary remains of Norman Castle built on West Hill after William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings. 1066 Story interpretation centre in siege tent.
The Hawk Conservancy & Country Park
Andover
Tel: 01264 772252
www.hawk-conservancy.org
Unique to Great Britain – 'Valley of the Eagles' held here daily at 14:00, plus 250 birds of prey and 22 acres of woodland gardens.
High Beeches Gardens
Handcross, Haywards Heath
Tel: 01444 400589
www.highbeeches.com
25 acres of peaceful, landscaped woodland and water gardens with many rare plants, wildflower meadow, spring bulbs and glorious autumn colour.
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Tenterden Town Station, Tenterden
Tel: 01580 765155
www.kesr.org.uk
Full-size steam railway with restored Edwardian stations at Tenterden and Northiam, 14 steam engines, Victorian coaches and Pullman carriages. Museum and children's play area.
Kingston Lacy (National Trust)
Wimborne Minster
Tel: 01202 883402
www.kingstonlacy@ntrust.org.uk
A 17th century house designed for Sir Ralph Bankes by Sir Roger Pratt altered by Sir Charles Barry in 19th century. Collection of paintings, 250-acre wooded park, herd of Devon cattle.
LegoLand
Winkfield Road, Windsor
Tel: 0870 504 0404
www.legoland.co.uk
A family park with hands-on activities, rides, themed playscapes and more LEGO bricks than you ever dreamed possible.
The Living Rainforest
Thatcham, Newbury
Tel: 01635 202444
www.livingrainforest.org
Two tropical rainforests, all under cover, approximately 20,000 square feet. Collection of rare and exotic tropical plants together with small representation of wildlife in rainforest.
Manor Farm (Farm & Museum)
Botley, Southampton
Tel: 01489 787055
www.hants.gov.uk/countryside/manorfarm
Traditional Hampshire farmstead with a range of buildings, farm animals, machinery and equipment. Pre-1950's farmhouse and 13th century church set for 1900 living history site.
National Motor Museum
Beaulieu, Brockenhurst
Tel: 01590 612345
www.beaulieu.co.uk
Motor museum with over 250 exhibits showing history of motoring from 1896. Also Palace House, Wheels Experience, Beaulieu Abbey ruins and a display of monastic life.
Oceanarium
West Beach, Bournemouth
Tel: 01202 311993
www.oceanarium.co.uk
Situated in the heart of Bournemouth, next to the pier, the Oceanarium will take you on a fascinating voyage on the undersea world from elegant seahorses to sinister sharks.
Osborne House (English Heritage)
Yorke Avenue, East Cowes
Tel: 01983 200022
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's seaside holiday home. Swiss Cottage where royal children learnt cooking and gardening. Victorian carriage rides.
The Oxford Story
6 Broad Street, Oxford
Tel: 01865 728822
www.oxfordstory.co.uk
Take your seat on our amazing 'dark' ride and journey through scenes from 900 years of university's history, complete with sights, sounds and smells!
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Mansion & Gardens
Lympe, Hythe
Tel: 01303 264647
www.howletts.net
Set in 400 acres with historic mansion and gardens, black rhino, tigers, elephants, small cats, monkeys, Barbary lions, red pandas, tapirs and 'Palace of the Apes'.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
1/7 College Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
Tel: 023 9286 1533
www.historicdockyard.co.uk
A fascinating day out – Action Stations, Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, Royal Naval Museum, 'Warships by water' harbour tours, Dockyard Apprentice exhibition.
The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens & Arboretum
Ampfield, Romsey
Tel: 01794 368787
ww.hillier.hants.gov.uk
Established in 1953, The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum comprises the greatest collection of wild and cultivated woody plants in the world.
South of England Rare Breeds Centre
Highlands Farm, Woodchurch
Tel: 01233 861493
www.rarebreeds.org.uk
Large collection of rare farm breeds on a working farm with children's play activities. Home to the 'Tamworth Two'. Woodland walks.
Swanage Railway
Station House, Swanage
Tel: 01929 425800
www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Enjoy nostalgic steam-train ride on the Purbeck line. Steam trains run every weekend throughout the year with daily running April to October.
The Tank Museum
Bovington, Wareham
Tel: 01929 405096
www.tankmuseum.co.uk
The world's finest display of armoured fighting vehicles. Experimental vehicles, interactive displays, disabled access and facilities.
The Vyne (National Trust)
Sherborne St John, Basingstoke
Tel: 01256 881337
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Original house dating back to Henry VIII's time. Extensively altered in mid 17th century. Tudor chapel, beautiful gardens and lake.
Waterperry Gardens Ltd.
Waterperry, Oxford
Tel: 01844 339254
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Ornamental gardens covering 6 acres of the 83-acre 18th century Waterperry House estate. A Saxon village church, garden shop teashop, art and craft gallery are found within the grounds.
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Singleton, Chichester
Tel: 01243 811348
www.wealddown.co.uk
Over 40 rescued historic buildings from South East England, reconstructed on a downland country park site. Homes and workplaces of the past include a medieval farmstead.
West Dean Gardens
West Dean, Chichester
Tel: 01243 818210
www.westdean.org.uk
Extensive downland garden with specimen trees, 300-ft pergola, rustic summerhouses and restored walled kitchen garden. Walk in parkland and 45-acre arboretum.
Whitchurch Silk Mill
28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch
Tel: 01256 892065
www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/
Unique Georgian silk-weaving watermill, now a working museum producing fine silk fabrics on Victorian machinery. Riverside garden, tearoom for light meals, silk gift shop.
Wilderness Wood
Hadlow Down, Uckfield
Tel: 01825 830509
www.wildernesswood.co.uk
A family-run working woodland of 60 acres, beautiful in all seasons. There are trails, a bluebell walk, a play area, workshop and a timber barn with exhibition.
Winchester Cathedral
The Close, Winchester
Tel: 01962 857225
www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk
Magnificent medieval cathedral, soaring gothic nave converted from original Norman. 12th century illuminated Winchester Bible, Jane Austen's tomb, library, gallery, crypt and chapels.
Winkworth Arboretum (National Trust)
Hascombe, Godalming
Tel: 01483 208477
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
100 acres of hillside planted with rare trees and shrubs. Good views, lakes, newly restored boathouse, azaleas, bluebells, wild spring flowers and autumn colours.