75 Best Sights in The Southeast, England

If you're indulging in an English tradition, why not do it at a castle? Amberley Castle, now a beautiful hotel, does one of the region's finest afternoon teas, with finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes, plus mini-quiches and sausage rolls. Be sure to make reservations.

You've probably already seen Arundel Castle without knowing it, at least on screen; the castle's striking resemblance to Windsor means that it's frequently used as a stand-in for its more famous cousin in movies and television. Begun in the 11th century, this vast castle remains rich with the history of the Fitzalan and Howard families and holds paintings by van Dyck, Gainsborough, and Reynolds. During the 18th century and in the Victorian era it was reconstructed in the fashionable Gothic style—although the keep, rising from its conical mound, is as old as the original castle (climb its 130 steps for great views of the River Arun), and the barbican and the Barons' Hall date from the 13th century. Among the treasures here are the rosary beads and prayer book used by Mary, Queen of Scots, in preparing for her execution.

The formal garden, a triumph of order and beauty, is also worth a visit. Special events happen year-round, including a week of jousting, usually in late July. (Ticket prices rise slightly during event weeks.) Although the castle's ceremonial entrance is at the top of High Street, you enter at the bottom, close to the parking lot.

Situated 6 miles northwest of Hastings, this great Benedictine abbey was erected by William the Conqueror on the site of the Battle of Hastings—the all-day battle in 1066 was a decisive turning point in English history and the last time the country was successfully invaded. All of this meant little to Henry VIII, who didn't spare the building from his violent dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. Today the abbey is a ruin, but a very pretty one. Start at the visitor center to get the full story through a series of films and interactive exhibits before taking a walk around the abbey site, including up to the first floor. A memorial stone marks the high altar, which in turn was supposedly laid on the spot where Harold II, the last Saxon king, was killed.

You can also follow a trail around the 1066 battlefield, lined with intricately-carved wooden sculptures of Norman and Saxon soldiers, or climb the gatehouse for an exhibiton on the site's post-invasion history as well as spectacular rooftop views of the town. For a potted history of Battle, head to nearby St. Mary's Church, where the 10-foot-long Battle Tapestry artfully illustrates how the town developed around the abbey.

Immortalized in paintings, photographs, and films, Bodiam Castle (pronounced Boe-dee-um) rises out of the distance like a living piece of medieval legend. From the outside, it's one of Britain's most impressive castles, with turrets, battlements, a glassy moat (one of the very few still in use), and 2-foot-thick walls. However, once you cross the drawbridge to the interior there's little to see but ruins, albeit on an impressive scale. Built in 1385 to withstand a threatened French invasion, it was partly demolished during the English Civil War of 1642–46 and has been uninhabited ever since. Still, you can climb the intact towers to take in sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and countryside, and kids will love running around the keep. The castle, 9 miles northwest of Rye, schedules family-focused activities during school holidays. For a unique way to approach Bodiam Castle, take a 45-minute river cruise through the pretty Sussex countryside. Boats leave from the riverbank in Newenden; find more information and sailing times at  www.bodiamboatingstation.co.uk.

Designed by the people who made the London Eye, this seaside viewing platform ascends 531 feet into the air, allowing an incredible view of the coastline and the South Downs. On clear days you can see the Isle of Wight. The ride lasts about 25 minutes. Booking ahead is advisable, especially in summer; some special packages offered online include dinner. i360 stays open in all weather, other than exceptionally strong winds. It's so peaceful inside the doughnut-shaped pods, you'd never guess the storm that raged ahead of i360's opening in 2016. Locals worried it would ruin the character of the promenade. After you take in the sweeping view, you've got the leisurely descent back to street level to decide if you agree with them.

Opened in 1899, the pier is an amusement park set above the sea. In the early 20th century it had a music hall and entertainment; today it has roller coasters and other carnival rides, as well as game arcades, clairvoyants, candy stores, and greasy-food stalls. In summer it's packed with children by day and (on weekends) teenagers by night. There's a minimal admission fee for the pier, with proceeds going toward maintenance, although the individual kiosks have their own charges. Alternatively, a wristband (£26 adults, £18.40 children) allows unlimited rides, which can amount to a big savings if you're making the rounds. The skeletal shadow of a pier you see off in the water is all that's left of the old West Pier.

The focal point of the city and the nucleus of worldwide Anglicanism, the Cathedral Church of Christ Canterbury (its formal name) was the first of England's great Norman cathedrals and is a living textbook of medieval architecture. The building was begun in 1070, demolished, begun anew in 1096, and then systematically expanded over the next three centuries. When the original choir section burned to the ground in 1174, another replaced it, designed in the new Gothic style, with tall, pointed arches.

The cathedral was only a century old when Thomas Becket, the archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered here in 1170. Becket, as head of the church, had been engaged in a political struggle with his old friend Henry II. Four knights supposedly overheard Henry scream, "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" (There is no evidence that those were his actual words—the only contemporary record has him saying, "What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household, who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?") Thinking they were carrying out the king's wishes, the knights went to Canterbury and hacked Becket to pieces in one of the side chapels. Henry, racked with guilt, went into deep mourning. Becket was canonized, and Canterbury's position as the center of English Christianity was assured.

For almost 400 years, Becket's tomb was one of the most extravagant shrines in Christendom, until it was destroyed by Henry VIII's troops during the Reformation. In Trinity Chapel, which held the shrine, you can still see a series of 13th-century stained-glass windows illustrating Becket's miracles. (The actual site of Becket's murder is down a flight of steps just to the left of the nave.) Nearby is the tomb of Edward, the Black Prince (1330–76), warrior son of Edward III and a national hero. In the corner of Trinity Chapel, a second flight of steps leads down to the enormous Norman undercroft, or vaulted cellar, built in the early 12th century. A row of squat pillars engraved with dancing beasts supports the roof.

To the north of the cathedral are the cloisters and a small compound of monastic buildings. The 12th-century octagonal water tower is still part of the cathedral's water supply. The Norman staircase in the northwest corner of the Green Court dates from 1167 and is a unique example of the architecture of the times. Another highlight is the almost Disney-like stained glass window "Salvation" by Hungarian artist Ervin Bossányi. Look out for a little padlock with a swastika, a reference to the atrocities that occurred during World War II. You could spend a day appreciating the stained glass panels throughout the cathedral, with some dating back to the mid-1100s, making them among the oldest in the world.

At the entrance to the cathedral, by Christchurch Gate, is a free-to-enter visitor center, which has more information on the history (and myth) of Canterbury Cathedral. The cathedral is popular, so arrive early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.

Art and life mixed at Charleston, the property that Vanessa Bell—sister of Virginia Woolf—bought in 1916 and fancifully decorated, along with Duncan Grant (who lived here until 1978). The house, which is more farmhouse than grand country manor and lies 6 miles east of Lewes, became a refuge for the writers and artists of the Bloomsbury Group. On display are colorful ceramics and textiles of the Omega Workshop—in which Bell and Grant participated—and paintings by Picasso and Renoir, as well as by Bell and Grant themselves. Entry to the house is by guided tour; you can buy tickets when you arrive or book in advance online. There are also art exhibition spaces to explore and a nice little walled garden. Come in May for the annual Charleston Festival, which attracts big-name writers and artists from all over the world. The house isn't suitable for those with mobility issues, although reduced-price ground-floor-only tickets are available. In 2023, Charleston opened Charleston in Lewes, an exhibition gallery and cultural center on Southover Road in Lewes.

Standing on Roman foundations, 900-year-old Chichester Cathedral has a glass panel that reveals Roman mosaics uncovered during restorations. Other treasures include the wonderful Saxon limestone reliefs of the raising of Lazarus and Christ arriving in Bethany, both in the choir area. Among the outstanding contemporary artworks are a stained glass window by Marc Chagall and a colorful tapestry by John Piper. Keep an eye out, too, for the memorial to Gustav Holst: the composer's ashes were interred here as he wished to be close to his favorite Tudor musician, Thomas Weelkes.

Entrance to the cathedral is free, though donations are welcome, particularly in light of a major five-year roof restoration completed in 2023. You can book a 45-minute "drop-in" tour; these take place every day except Sunday at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Alternatively, you can prebook private group tours that concentrate on areas like art, stained glass, and the cathedral's transatlantic ties with the United States. After visiting the cathedral's interior, walk around its pretty cloisters, where you'll also find a nice café and shop.

This important parish church dates from 1678, when the area was little more than a mineral spring surrounded by fields; the modern town of Tunbridge Wells grew up around it. Dedicated to Charles I, who had been executed by Parliament in 1649—and whose son, Charles II, was restored 11 years later—the church has a plain exterior that belies its splendid interior, with a particularly beautiful plastered baroque ceiling. The entrance is on the corner of the A26 and the A267, across the road from the Pantiles.

Towering high above the ramparts of the city's famous white cliffs, spectacular Dover Castle is a mighty medieval castle that has served as an important strategic center over the centuries. Although it incorporates some older features, including a Roman lighthouse (one of the oldest in the world) and an Anglo-Saxon church, most of the castle dates to Norman times. It was begun by Henry II in 1181 but incorporates additions from almost every succeeding century. The Great Tower re-creates how the opulent castle would have looked in Henry's time, complete with sound effects, interactive displays, and courtly characters in medieval costume.

History jumps forward the better part of a millennium as you venture down into the labyrinthine Secret Wartime Tunnels. The castle played a surprisingly dramatic role in World War II, the full extent of which remained unknown for years afterward. These well-thought-out interactive galleries tell the complete story. The tunnels themselves, originally built during the Napoleonic Wars, were used as a top-secret intelligence-gathering base in the fight against Hitler.

With a banner waving from one tower and a glassy moat crossed by what was once a drawbridge, this fairy-tale castle has everything except knights in shining armor. Situated 13 miles northwest of Hastings in the direction of Lewes, the redbrick structure was originally built by Sir Roger Fiennes (ancestor of actors Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes) in 1444, although it was altered in the Elizabethan age and again early in the 20th century after it had largely fallen to ruin. 

Today, most visitors come to explore the castle's stunning grounds, comprising hundreds of acres of themed gardens (including the formal walled Elizabethan garden), lily-covered lakes, and winding woodland paths. Kids will also enjoy the rope maze. The castle itself is owned by the Canadian Queen's University, so opportunities to get inside are limited—especially during ongoing reconstruction work—though check the website for occasional guided tours. If you do make it inside, don't miss the stunning Tudor staircase and the corner room with a medieval dungeon and an escape tunnel. Families visiting Herstmonceux may also want to stop at the neighboring Observatory Science Centre ( www.the-observatory.org;  £11.50) for its hands-on astronomical exhibitions.

It's hard to imagine a more romantic castle than this: a maze of turrets and battlements encircled by a water lily–bound moat filled with fabulous beasts (enormous Japanese koi carp) and nestled within rolling hills. The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, this is where the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I was courted by Henry. He was enamored with her for a time but had her beheaded in 1536 after she failed to give birth to a son. He then gifted Boleyn's home to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.

Despite its fame, the castle fell into disrepair in the 19th century. When American millionaire William Waldorf Astor acquired it in 1903, he needed space to house his staff. His solution was to build a replica Tudor village, using only methods, materials, and even tools appropriate to the era. The result is more or less indistinguishable from the genuine Tudor parts. Astor created the stunning gardens, too, which today include a wonderful yew maze, ponds, playgrounds, tea shops, gift shops, plant shops—you get the picture. There are also notable Tudor portraits on display. The highlight for kids is the water maze, where the aim is to avoid the jets (or just run through them) to reach the center. Activities are nonstop in summer, with jousting, falconry exhibitions, and country fairs, making this one of southern England's most rewarding castles to visit. In one of the Victorian wings, B&B rooms go for upward of £215 per night for a basic room; there's also a four-bedroom holiday cottage available.

The buildings and 47 retired ships at the 80-acre dockyard across the River Medway from Rochester in Chatham constitute the country's most complete Georgian-to-early-Victorian dockyard. Fans of maritime history could easily spend a day at the exhibits and structures here. The dockyard's origins go back to the time of Henry VIII; some 400 ships were built here over the centuries. Highlights include a museum of naval artifacts, including some fascinating 18th-century scale models; the Ropery, where costumed guides take you on a tour of an old rope factory (including its impressive quarter-mile-long "rope walk"); and the timber remains of the 18th-century HMS Namur, called the "Ship Beneath the Floor" because parts were found under flooring at the dockyard. Guests who aren't afraid of tight spaces can take guided tours of the submarine HMS Ocelot, the last warship to be built for the Royal Navy at Chatham. For a (slightly) hidden gem, climb to the top of "the Big Space" to see the stunning, 19th-century wood-beamed roof. Note that the Historic Dockyard is a 40-minute walk (or a 10-minute drive) from the center of Rochester; there's no direct bus.

This wonderful, higgledy-piggledy, timber-framed medieval manor house looks like something out of a fairy tale. Even its name is a bit of an enigma—"Ightham" is pronounced "Item" (we can't quite figure that out either) and "Mote" doesn't refer to the kind of moat you get in a castle, but an old English word for meeting place. Perhaps it's also fitting, then, that finding the place takes careful navigation down tiny, winding country lanes, and then even to reach the front door you must first cross a narrow stone bridge over the moat (yes, it has one of those, too). But it's all worth the effort to see a fanciful vision right out of the Middle Ages.

Built nearly 700 years ago, Ightham's magical exterior has hardly changed since the 14th century, but within you'll find that it encompasses styles of several periods, from Tudor to Victorian. The Great Hall, the Tudor chapel, and the drawing room are all highlights of the main property. Nearby is the smaller but equally pretty Laundry Hall, home to a second-hand bookshop and exhibition, as well as shaded woodland walks (awash with bluebells in spring), a pretty pond, and a natural play area for little ones. Ightham Mote is six miles north of Tonbridge on the A227.

The pleasant but workaday town of Sevenoaks, seven miles northwest of Tonbridge, lies in London's commuter belt, a world away from the baronial air of its premier attraction: Knole, the grand, beloved estate of the Sackville family since the 16th century.

Begun in the 1400s and enlarged in 1603 by Thomas Sackville, Knole's sprawling complex of courtyards and outbuildings resembles a small town. In fact, with more that 300 rooms, 51 chimneys (count them!), and a total footprint covering five acres—the equivalent to almost four football fields—it's England's largest house. Factor in the supremely stroll-worthy (and free-roaming deer-filled) 1,000-acre park surrounding the property, and you'll need at least an afternoon to explore Knole thoroughly.

The house is noted for its wonderful tapestries, embroidered furnishings, and an extraordinary set of 17th-century silver furniture. Most of the salons are in the pre-baroque model, rather dark and armorial. The magnificently florid staircase was a novelty in its Elizabethan heyday. Vita Sackville-West grew up here and used it as the setting for her novel The Edwardians, a witty account of life among the gilded set.

Also on the property is the Conservation Studio, which showcases the work that the National Trust does at Knole and other local properties (you can also see the conservators in action), as well as the beautiful private garden, though this is only open on rare occasions.

In contrast to the property itself, the entrance is surprisingly low-key; look for the signposted track opposite St. Nicholas Church.

Every inch a grand medieval castle, Leeds is more like a storybook illustration of what an English castle should look like, from the fortresslike exterior to the breathtaking rooms within. Ramparts and battlements? Check. Moat? Check. Ancient stone walkways on which a knight in shining armor might pass by at any second? Pretty much.

Leeds—not to be confused with the city in the north of England; the name comes from its mention as "Esledes" (meaning "hill" or "slope") in the Domesday Book of 1086—has all this and more. One of England's finest castles, it commands two small islands on a peaceful lake. Dating to the 9th century and rebuilt by the Normans in 1119, the castle became a favorite home of many medieval English queens. Henry VIII liked it so much he had it converted from a fortress into a grand palace.

The interior doesn't match the glories of the much-photographed exterior, although there are fine paintings and furniture, including many pieces from the 20th-century refurbishment by the castle's last private owner, Lady Baillie. The outside attractions are more impressive and include a tricky maze (made from 2,400 yew trees), which leads to a rock-carved grotto, as well as two adventure playgrounds, an aviary of native and exotic birds, and woodland gardens. There are several dining options, including the informal but excellent Castle View Restaurant (try the fish-and-chips), as well as on-the-estate accommodation. Leeds Castle is 12 miles southeast of Rochester, off the M20. All tickets are valid for a year, in case you don't manage to see everything in one day.

This small but important collection of mostly modern British art includes work by Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland. It's in a modern extension to Pallant House, a mansion built for a wealthy wine merchant in 1712 and considered one of the finest surviving examples of Chichcester's Georgian past. At that time, its state-of-the-art design showed the latest in complicated brickwork and superb wood carving. Appropriate antiques and porcelains furnish the faithfully restored rooms. Temporary and special exhibitions (usually around three at once) invariably find new and interesting angles to cover.

Wisley is the Royal Horticultural Society's innovative and inspirational 240-acre showpiece, beloved by horticulturalists across this garden-loving country. Both an ornamental and scientific center, it claims to have greater horticultural diversity than any other garden in the world. Highlights include the flower borders and displays in the central area, the rock garden and alpine meadow in spring, and the large and modern conservatories; look out for the giant strelitzia (bird-of-paradise) plants. Also on-site are an impressive bookstore and a garden center that sells more than 10,000 types of plants. The garden is 8 miles northeast of Guildford.

The city's most remarkable building is this delightfully over-the-top domed and pinnacled fantasy. Built as a simple seaside villa in the fashionable classical style of 1787 by architect Henry Holland, the Pavilion was rebuilt between 1815 and 1822 by John Nash for the Prince Regent (later George IV). The resulting design was an exotic, foppish blend of Eastern styles with opulent Chinese interiors. The two great set pieces are the Music Room, styled in the form of a Chinese pavilion, and the Banqueting Room, with its enormous flying-dragon "gasolier," or gaslight chandelier, a revolutionary invention in the early 19th century. The gardens, too, have been restored to Regency splendor, following John Nash's naturalistic design of 1826. For an elegant time-out, a tearoom serves snacks and light meals.

One of the world's most famous gardens, unpretentiously beautiful and quintessentially English, Sissinghurst rests deep in the Kentish countryside. The gardens, with their many different themed "rooms," were laid out in the 1930s around the remains of part of a moated Tudor castle by writer Vita Sackville-West (one of the Sackvilles of Knole, her childhood home) and her husband, diplomat Harold Nicolson. Their relationship was loving but complicated, as both had a string of extramarital same-sex affairs; Vita, famously, had a decade-long romance with Virginia Woolf.

Climb the tower for a wonderful overview of the gardens—as well as a peek inside Vita's study en route—then descend to see them up close. There's the stunning White Garden, filled with snow-color flowers and silver-gray foliage; the herb and cottage gardens, which showcase Sackville-West's encyclopedic knowledge of plants; the Delos Garden, which brings a slice of the Mediterranean to the heart of Kent; and other spaces. As well as the gardens, there are woodland and lake walks all around, making it easy to spend a half day or more here.

If you love it so much you want to stay, you can—the National Trust rents the three-bedroom Priest's House on the property for a minimum stay of three nights; prices start at around £1,000 and rise significantly higher in midsummer. See the National Trust website (but you'll need to book well ahead).

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is 16 miles east of Tunbridge Wells on the A262.

Just across the road from Arundel Cathedral is another equally impressive—and equally oversize—religious building. This 14th-century parish church, built on the site of a far older priory, was almost certainly the work of Henry Yeveley and William Wynford, who also contributed to Canterbury and Winchester cathedrals. Interestingly, the church is today divided into two separate parts according to denomination: the main part, the nave, is Protestant, while the chancel is Catholic. The latter, seized during the Reformation, is where the dukes of Norfolk are buried. Wander around to see some of the decorative highlights, including the remarkable stone pulpit, the unusually large Royal Coat of Arms, and some surviving fragments of medieval wall paintings.

This extraordinary small museum was built in tiny Compton in 1904 by the artist George Frederic Watts (1817–1904) to display his romantic, mystical paintings, which have been rediscovered in recent years, as his 1886 painting Hope was a favorite of Barack Obama. A marvelously higgledy-piggledy studio displays his sculptures, which are astonishing for their size and near-obsessive attention to detail. Some critics, though, contend that George's wife, artist Mary Seton Watts (1849–1938), eclipsed her husband. If you make the short walk to the Watts Memorial Chapel, you may agree. Designed by Mary, this tiny chapel is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau style, from the intricately carved redbrick exterior to the Mucha-esque painted interior. You could spend half an hour trying to decode the symbolism and allegory woven into the gilded walls. The museum, chapel, and other sights (including the Artists' Village in Limnerslease House with its artists in residence and contemporary gallery) are 3 miles west of Guildford.

Plunging hundreds of feet into the sea, Dover's startingly white cliffs are a spectacular sight, and one of the most iconic symbols of England. The cliffs, which are composed mainly of chalk with slivers of flint, are eroding at a rather alarming rate: more than a foot (30 cm) a year on average. Because of this, you must be cautious when walking along the cliffs—experts recommend staying at least 20 feet from the edge. The cliffs stretch for around 8 miles altogether, but the most popular section to visit is the one managed by the National Trust, about 2 miles east of town. The visitor center has 5 miles of walking trails heading farther east to the 19th-century South Foreland Lighthouse and St. Margaret's Bay, with spectacular views along the way. There are also some lovely coastal walks to the west of Dover with good views of the cliffs, including Samphire Hoe, Folkestone East Cliff, and Warren Country Park. Signs will direct you from the roads to scenic spots.

This small town, a few miles southwest of Rye, perches prettily atop its own small hill amid rolling farmland, and has a number of interesting attractions. There's the splendid (though damaged) church at its heart, built in the 14th century with stone from Normandy. The stained glass windows are particularly captivating, with renowned Scottish artist Douglas Strachan (1875–1950) creating an almost three-dimensional effect with his bold illustrations. Outside the church lies a grave with a much-quoted epitaph. English-Irish comedian Spike Milligan (of The Goon Show fame), who was buried here in 2002, requested that the words "I told you I was ill" be added to his gravestone. The diocese refused, but compromised by writing it in Irish instead. Walk around the graveyard and see if you can spot the headstone with the words: "Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite."

Under the town's narrow streets are at least 56 medieval cellars, with some accessible by an interesting—if rather long—guided tour (£12) on various dates from April to October. A short walk from the town center is Winchelsea Beach, an attractive stretch of shingle coastline.

Situated two miles east of Tonbridge in the little village of Tudeley, this modest 13th-century church holds one of the glories of 20th-century church art. The building is awash with the luminous yellows and blues of 12 windows by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), commissioned as a tribute by the family of a young girl who drowned in a sailing accident in 1963. To get here, take the A26 from Tonbridge, then continue a mile or so east along B2017.

Opened in 2022, this modern cultural center—named after Amelia Scott, a local campaigner for women’s suffrage, and often referred to as "The Amelia Scott"—is home to a series of appealing museum and gallery spaces. You'll find everything from interactive history exhibits to Victorian-era toys to ever-changing art exhibitions. There's also an excellent children's library, a sculpture-filled garden, and a small café. The building is home to the town's tourist information office.

This 16th-century house, a fragile-looking, timber-frame building, was part of Anne of Cleves's divorce settlement from Henry VIII—although she never lived in it. Today, it offers a fascinating slice of high-class Tudor life, with well-preserved interiors including a kitchen, parlor, and a large bedroom divided into a Great Chamber with an antique four-poster bed and a smaller Hall Chamber. There's also the main hall (now the reception area and shop), a charming little Tudor garden, gallery spaces displaying collections of Sussex ironwork and pottery, and a room full of medieval dress-up clothes for kids. To get to the house from Lewes Castle and the High Street, walk down the steep, cobbled Keere Street past lovely Grange Gardens, then hang a right onto Southover High Street.

This far-too-big-for-a-small-town Catholic cathedral in the French-Gothic style was commissioned by Henry, Duke of Norfolk in 1868 to celebrate his coming of age. Designed by Joseph Hansom (of hansom cab horse-drawn carriage fame), it opened in 1873. Stroll around the gorgeous interior, renowned for its signature stained-glass rose window and impressive 19th-century organ. Also look out for the roundels of Saxon saints high up on the walls of the aisles.

Move over, Dover: these are perhaps Britain's most spectacular white cliffs. Located 16 miles southeast of Lewes, off the A259 just before Eastbourne, this up-to-530-foot-high curtain of chalk has watched over the English Channel for nigh on 100 million years. You can walk the windy path along the top of Beachy Head for lovely views of the cliffs, the sea, and the red-and-white-striped lighthouse. For a longer clifftop walk, continue west along the Seven Sisters Cliffs; it's around 5½ miles (two hours) each way from the Beachy Head parking lot to the stony beach at Cuckmere Haven.