16 Best Sights in The Southeast, England

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Brighton's most iconic landmark is its famous beach, which sweeps smoothly from one end of town to the other. In summer, sunbathers, swimmers, and ice cream–sellers pack the shore; in winter, people stroll at the water's stormy edge, walking their dogs and searching for seashells. The water is bracingly cold, and the beach is covered in a thick blanket of large, smooth pebbles (615 billion of them, according to the tourism office). Bring a pair of rubber swimming shoes if you're taking a dip—the stones are hard on bare feet. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming.

Take a thrilling ride up the West Hill Cliff Railway from George Street precinct to the atmospheric ruins of the thousand-year-old fortress now known as Hastings Castle. It was built by William the Conqueror in 1066, before he had even won the Battle of Hastings and conquered England—that's confidence for you. Today all that remains of the country's first Norman castle are mere fragments of the fortifications, some ancient walls, and a number of gloomy dungeons. Nevertheless, you get an excellent view of the chalky cliffs, the rocky coast, and the town below. 

At this lovely spot, exotic plants collected by the gardener Ludwig Messel beginning in 1885 mingle with more homey varieties. Spring is the time to appreciate the rhododendrons and the rare Himalayan magnolias in the romantic walled garden; in summer the roses are lovely. The surrounding estate has wildflowers, woodland walks, and the remains of a 19th-century Gothic mansion. The house was largely destroyed by fire in the 1940s, although you can look around the surviving rooms, which are decorated with antiques from the 17th to the mid-20th centuries. Otherwise, it's a charmingly picturesque ruin. Nymans is near Haywards Heath, 10 miles southwest of East Grinstead.

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.

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.

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.