75 Best Sights in The Southeast, England

The impressive ruins of Rochester Castle comprise a superb example of Norman military architecture. The keep, built in the 1100s using the old Roman city wall as a foundation, is the tallest in England. In 1215, during King John's struggle against the barons who wanted him to sign the Magna Carta, Rochester was subject to one of the most brutal sieges in English history. Thanks to the diarist Samuel Pepys (1633–1703), it's known that the ruins of Rochester Castle were already a popular tourist attraction in the 17th century. Today the structure has been shored up but left without floors, so that from the bottom you can see to the open roof and study the complex structure. The shop sells well-researched guides to the building.

Augustine of Canterbury ordained the first English bishop in a small cathedral that stood on this site in the year 604. The current cathedral, England's second oldest, is a jumble of architectural styles. Much of the original Norman building from 1077 remains, including the striking west front, the highly carved portal, and the tympanum above the doorway. Some medieval art survives, including a 13th-century Wheel of Fortune on the choir walls; it's a reminder of how difficult medieval life was. Informative, 60-minute guided tours are available most days, and there are occasional special evening viewings and events.

Believed to have been a hotel for Roman travelers crossing the English Channel, the remains of this nearly 2,000-year-old structure were excavated in the 1970s. It includes some Roman wall paintings (mostly dedicated to Bacchus, the god of revelry), along with the remnants of an ingenious heating system. Check ahead as ongoing renovations have resulted in closures.

Down the hill past Church Square, Ypres Tower—pronounced "Wipers" by locals—was originally built as part of the town's fortifications (now all but disappeared) in 1249; it later served as a prison. A row of defensive cannons is fixed to the rampart overlooking the (disappointingly industrial) edge of Rye and several miles of flatland beyond. When they were installed, however, the canons pointed directly out to sea. Inside the tower is the Rye Castle Museum (RCM), which has displays on the city's history, from medieval floor tiles to 15th-century suits of armor, as well as an interesting exhibition on 1830s life as a female prisoner in the "women's tower."

A second (free to enter) outpost of the RCM at nearby 3 East Street has more exhibits, including examples of Rye pottery, for which the town was famous, and a fire engine that was built in 1745 and served the town for 120 years.

Set on 10 acres in a forested park 12 miles southwest of Guildford, this outdoor art gallery is a wild, fanciful place where you're as likely to see a mosaic flower bursting out of the ground as you are to see a naked bronze woman riding a giant resin dinosaur. Everything is for sale; inquire at reception, where you can also get a map before following signposted paths (many accessible) to hundreds of bold, ambitious, and inventive sculptures by global artists. Keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems hung from trees, nestled in bushes, or floating on lakes. The woodland setting is idyllic and there are benches galore, so bring a picnic and make a half-day of it. If you have time, follow the footpath beside the little car park outside up to the Devil's Jumps, a ruggedly beautiful spot with views over the South Downs. The name derives from local folklore: one night the devil stole a cauldron from a witch, who gave chase on her broomstick; with each leap, the devil kicked up huge clods of earth, which in turn became hills—hence "jumps." 

Near Brighton Pier, this aquarium is the oldest in the world (it opened in 1872), with thousands of sea-dwelling creatures—from sharks to seahorses to starfish—in more than 30 marine habitats. There's a glass-bottom-boat experience, a humid rainforest adventure, and an extraordinary coral reef exhibition that shows how the ecosystem changes between day and night. Check online for the daily feeding schedules, all of which are accompanied by free talks, including turtles at 11 am and sharks at 2 pm. Book online at least a day in advance for big discounts.

The history of smuggling on the south coast is told through waxworks and other exhibits inside this labyrinth of caves underneath the West Hill, a 15-minute walk from Hastings Castle. If you also plan to visit Hastings Castle and Hastings Aquarium, consider purchasing the three-in-one "Super Saver" ticket.

A well-preserved family country house dating from the 1890s and set in a beautiful hillside garden, Standen typifies the Arts and Crafts movement. Designed by the influential architect Philip Webb (1831–1913), it contains a wealth of William Morris carpets, wallpapers, fabrics, and even original electric-light fittings. Look out for the particularly beautiful mother-of-pearl cabinet. The house is 2 miles south of East Grinstead.

Built by Brighton inventor Magnus Volk in 1883, this was the first electric railway anywhere in the world—and it's been spruced-up in an extensive, expensive restoration. The 1¼-mile, three-station trip, a slice of Brighton's history, takes you along the beachfront Marine Parade.

A spectacular West Sussex oasis that is managed by the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, Wakehurst comprises a 16th-century country manor house surrounded by 500 acres of gardens. The site has a heady mix of meadows, woodland, wetlands, and walled gardens, and is home to the ambitious Millennium Seed Bank project, which conserves seeds from all of the United Kingdom's native flora to save species from extinction in the wild. The current collection also includes seeds from about 25% of the world's flora. If visiting in December, look out for the giant redwood Christmas tree, the United Kingdom's largest. Wakehurst is 6 miles southwest of East Grinstead.

Another of Henry VIII's coastal fortifications, this castle was converted in 1708 into a residence for the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, a ceremonial honor dating back to the early Middle Ages. Made up of four round towers around a circular keep, the castle has counted many famous figures among its lord wardens, including William Pitt the Younger (1759–1806), the Duke of Wellington (1769–1852), and Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965). The small museum here homes in on Wellington (who lived here from 1829 until his death), telling the story of his victory at Waterloo over Napoléon through a rather random selection of memorabilia, including an original pair of Wellington boots, which the duke is credited with inventing.

Visitors can enter the drawing and dining rooms of the castle (except when the lord warden is in residence) and explore the 8 acres of award-winning gardens that surround the fortification. These include the Glen, a planted former chalk quarry, and the sprawling lavender gardens, which come with gorgeous ocean views. The castle is about 2 miles south of Deal town center.

One of the oldest Cistercian abbeys in England, this was an important center of monastic power from 1128 until Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. What remains is a strikingly picturesque ruin surrounded by open countryside. Roofed sections of the undercroft and monks' dormitory survive, as do the refectory tunnel and a magnificent yew tree in the former churchyard, thought to be around 700 years old. A more unexpected historical footnote sits on the banks of the abbey stream: moss-covered tank traps, overlooked from across a field by a pillbox (sniper station). They were placed here during World War II after British generals role-played a Nazi invasion and decided this was the route they'd choose to attack London. Unused plans later found in Berlin showed they were right. The abbey is off the B3001, 11 miles southwest of Guildford. Parking is limited so it's best to visit during weekdays if possible.

On the outskirts of Singleton, a secluded village 5½ miles north of Chichester, is this sanctuary for historical buildings dating from the 10th through 19th century. Among the more than 50 historic structures moved to 40 acres of wooded meadows are a cluster of medieval houses, a working water mill, a Tudor market hall, and a Victorian schoolhouse. Look carefully, and you might recognize some structures from the hit Amazon/BBC TV show Good Omens, while British TV fans will notice that the Court Barn is the main setting for the BBC's The Repair Shop.  The buildings are brought to life with regular tours, talks, and demonstrations. Ask at reception what's scheduled, as events are not always well advertised.

In medieval times, Canterbury had seven gatehouses guarding entry to the city, but only this one survives. Still, with its twin castellated towers, it's one of England's finest. The towers contain a small museum with exhibits on the gate's history, including medieval armaments once used by the city guard and artifacts related to the city jail that was here from the 14th century. There are also some surprising links to the United States: one of the prisoners held here, Robert Cushman, was an organizer of the Mayflower voyage in 1620. Climb to the roof for a panoramic view of the city, or extend your stay by taking part in one of the three on-site escape rooms (additional charge). The entrance is via a bar called The Pound: diners get free entry to the tower and museum. Be aware that a trip to the top requires climbing five sets of narrow stairs.

About 3½ miles east of Sissinghurst on the A262, Biddenden Winery cultivates nine types of grapes on 22 acres, with a focus on the German Ortega, Huxelrebe, Bacchus, and Reichensteiner varieties. You can wander the grounds and sample wines, ciders, and apple juice. If you'd prefer a private guided tour, prices are £70 for one person, £37 each if there are two people, and a sliding scale of discounts down to £11 each for 15 people. Bookings must be made a week in advance.