The South-east of England has been an inspiration for many storytellers and writers over the years. Idea's for the childrens classics Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Chronicles of Narnia all arose from this region which includes the counties of Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Sussex.

Kent is divided into three main areas – Medway and Maritime Kent; The Heart of Kent and Canterbury and Coastal Kent and together they create a unique combination of coast, countryside and historic attractions.

Medway is the historical capital of Maritime Kent and is the ideal destination for a relaxing short break. Step back in time with a visit to The Historic Dockyard at Chatham where over 400 years of naval history are brought back to life. Canterbury and Coastal Kent has the famous White Cliffs of Dover, the traditional Victorian seaside resorts of Ramsgate and Folkestone and a blend of culture, heritage and tradition. The Cathedral city of Canterbury is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits on the River Stour in one of the most attractive corners of rural Kent. The Heart of Kent offers more castles, stately homes and gardens open to the public than any other region in Britain.

Sussex is home to miles of dramatic coastline, from the golden sands of Camber in the east to the inlets of Chichester Harbour in the west. Family-friendly beaches can be found at Worthing, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Eastbourne and Brighton – England’s city by the sea.

Within the Sussex countryside, the beautiful South Downs has over 2000 miles of well-managed trails ideal for walking, cycling and horse-riding. The 160km South Downs Way takes you from the coast at Eastbourne to the city of Winchester in Hampshire, passing across the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs and the Devil’s Dyke.

Delve into Sussex’s towns for even more treasures. The town of Battle is the site of the most famous battle in English Heritage, The Battle of Hastings. Amberley is a beautiful town on the River Arun with many flint walled, thatched cottages and a medieval castle (now a hotel) and the medieval town of Rye, now a thriving market town overlooks Romney Marshes and was once surrounded by sea!

Surrey is the most wooded county in the country and has the highest point in the south-east of England with breathtaking views of the Surrey Hills and surrounding countryside. The Surrey Hills is a treasured landscape, rich in wildlife and woodland and was one of the first areas in England to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1958.

Surrey is also home to many towns and villages all with their own ambience – Richmond is a lively cosmopolitan town full of boutiques, cafes and fine restaurants and Kingston is the place where kings of England were crowned. With the Thames on its doorstep, Kingston gives you the ideal opportunity to stroll along the Thames path at one of its most beautiful parts. The towns of Esher and Epsom are home to two of the country’s finest racecourses.

Hampshire is a haven for nature-lovers. Escape to the woods and heaths of the New Forest where ponies and cattle roam freely and wild deer hide deep within the forest. The city of Winchester is the ancient capital of England and home to a fine Norman Cathedral, King Arthur’s round table and one of the oldest schools in Britain.

Hampshire’s famous royal and military connections have provided a feast of places to visit like Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, one of the top ten heritage attractions in the UK and home to the World’s most famous ships – Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. Havant, Emsworth and the Blue Flag beaches at Hayling Island lie between the cities of Chichester and Portsmouth and are perfect for relaxation and tranquillity and the pretty villages of Langstone and Emsworth have great views of the harbour.

Holiday-makers have been flocking to the Isle of Wight for years to enjoy their traditional seaside holidays. The 60 miles of coastline, hidden coves and golden sandy beaches are spectacular, whilst inland the countryside is fantastic with lots of colourful paths and trails to explore. The Isle of Wight is renowned for sailing but also offers all kinds of sports from golf and fishing to windsurfing and flying.

Cowes and East Cowes are the Island’s most northerly towns and a mecca for yachtsmen, hosting many international sailing events – during the sailing season you can see a blanket of colourful sails covering the water. The historic town of Newport in the centre of the Island is its principle town and most popular shopping centre. Here you will find fine Georgian and Victorian houses, the Museum of Island History, markets, arts centres and much more.

From lazy days spent in the Royal Borough of Windsor, to the hectic nightlife of Reading, Berkshire is a delightful county that can adapt to anybody’s pace of life. With parts of the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns, both Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this county is ideal for walking, cycling and horse-riding with many excellent routes along The Thames Path, the Ridgeway and The Jubilee Path.

West Berkshire is a delight waiting to be discovered from the Kennet and Avon Canal to the arts, history and heritage. Donnington Castle was once the Stronghold of Charles I and saw action during the civil war battles of 1643 and 1644. All that is left now is the Gatehouse but visitors are attracted by the views and children love to play amongst the ruins.

Whether you choose to cruise along the River Thames, take a tour of Eton College or have some family fun at Legoland, Berkshire is perfect for a relaxing break.

Oxfordshire is full of natural beauty and charming villages and the city of Oxford is architecturally stunning with its famous colleges and riverside setting. Oxford has many literary links and has been used for numerous film locations. It was here that Lewis Carroll met Alice Liddell, the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland and Christ Church College was the setting for ‘Hogwarts’ in the Harry Potter films.

In the south of Oxfordshire you will find the towns of Didcot, Wallingford, Thame, and Henley on Thames and to the North of the county are the historic market towns of Banbury and Bicester. Enjoy a cruise on the Oxford Canal or shop until you drop at Bicester’s famous shopping village – there is plenty on offer.

Escape to Buckinghamshire for the day or a weekend and walk in the gentle rolling Chiltern Hills, stroll along the Thames Path at gorgeous Marlow or explore the famous beech woods at Burnham Beeches. There are plenty of fun attractions in Buckinghamshire for all the family to enjoy such as the oldest model village in the world – Bekonscot and the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery in Aylesbury. For the sporting type, Milton Keyne’s Xscape is Europe’s largest skiing and leisure complex and Waddesdon Manor is also a delight to see – now a National Trust property, it houses one of the finest collections of French 18th Century decorative arts.

Buckinghamshire has four beautiful country parks, Black Park, Langley Park, Denham and Thorney Park country parks with hundreds of acres of woodland, heathland, parkland, lakes and rivers that are open every day of the year for visitors

to enjoy.

You can enjoy the best of both worlds in the south-east of England with gorgeous beaches and breathtaking countryside – you can even cross the Channel, but that’s another story

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