Southeast England essentials Glyndebourne A wonderful summer opera festival held in the grounds of this country house in East Sussex. 20 May-29 August Royal Ascot World-class horse racing, high fashion, fine dining and pageantry sum up this popular event on the British social calendar. 15-19 June Alice's Day Mad hatters can join the annual festivities celebrating Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in Oxford, a city-wide celebration. 4 July Henley Royal Regatta Thousands of spectators gather for this annual five-day rowing event in Oxfordshire. August Whitstable Oyster Festival A popular celebration of the town’s connection with the oyster industry. Late July
The White Cliffs of Dover
HIGHLIGHTS RYE With its cobbled streets and timber-framed buildings, the medieval town of Rye is pretty as a picture. There’s lots to see, from the 13th-century Rye Castle to Lamb House, the home of author Henry James.
WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER An iconic landmark, the spectacular, 100m-high White Cliffs overlook the English channel; the perfect place for breathtaking coastal path walks.
BRIGHTON A cool seaside town known for its iconic pier and shopping in the famous Lanes. The Brighton Pavilion – George IV's extravagant palace – is a must-visit.
CANTERBURY This charming city impresses with stunning architecture and a rich history. Admire the oldest cathedral in England, walk in the footsteps of Chaucer’s medieval pilgrims or wander the narrow medieval alleys.
WINDSOR CASTLE Windsor Castle is awe-inspiring. Used as the venue for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, the castle has seen over 900 years of history and has served as a home to 39 monarchs.
GARDENS OF KENT Kent's High Weald has a generous sprinkling of some of England's greatest gardens, including Vita SackvilleWest's Sissinghurst and the exuberant Great Dixter.
OXFORD This distinguished university city, surrounded by the rolling Cotswold Hills, has honey-coloured buildings, historic colleges and cobbled streets. Best enjoyed from a punt on the River Cherwell.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE Explore the extravagant interiors of the Baroque palace that was once Henry VIII’s favourite residence, from the Great Hall to the Tudor Kitchen, before getting lost in the UK’s oldest surviving hedge maze.
HIDDEN GEM Winchester is a handsome market town with an abundance of history. Visit what is reputed to be King Arthur's Round Table and go on the Jane Austen trail: the novelist was born in nearby Chawton.
DON'T MISS
The vineyards of the Southeast are developing a global reputation for their sparkling wines. Indulge in a tasting tour at the Bolney or Denbies estates
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