About the South East

The history of the South East Region, as the rest of England, has been shaped by its proximity to mainland Europe and those people who came from there tempted by England’s natural riches.

Richborough Roman Fort in Kent became a bustling Roman Township and a Gateway to Roman Britain, following the Romans landing there in AD43. In 597 Pope Gregory chose one of his protégés, Augustine to be a missionary to the Anglo-Saxons in order to reconvert them to Christianity. The remains of the Abbey he built are today part of the World Heritage site of Canterbury, and lie slightly East of its famous Cathedral.

Almost 500 years later another famous man, this time supported by an army, landed on the shores just east of Pevensey, in East Sussex. Just two weeks later, on October 14th 1066, the most famous battle of England’s history was fought on Sussex downland north of Hastings. The area became known as the town of Battle, and today the battlefield with the ruins of the atmospheric Abbey, built by the victorious William the Conqueror remains as a reminder of the day in which the history of England was changed forever.

All along the coastal strip of the South East castles stand, monuments to the continual fear of further invasions from foreign powers. Henry VIII fearing fleets of ships arriving from France built the Castles of Dover, Deal, Walmer and Sandown. Although the latter no longer remains, the others stand firm, with Walmer Castle being the official residence of the Lord’s Warden of the Cinque Ports. Dover Castle in Kent, known as the Key to England, stood firm against the invading French Army in 1216. Deep beneath its strong foundations, within the White Cliffs themselves, a network of underground tunnels became the nerve centre of the military personnel who worked to evacuate the British and Allied forces trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk. Today the Secret Wartime Tunnels, with their Underground Hospital and the military Command Centre are open to visitors, and through sight, sound and smells and news clips from the time, the darkest days of World War II come dramatically alive.

Some Castles however formed a starting point for invasions from England to Europe. In 1415, Portchester Castle, near Portsmouth in Hampshire, was chosen by Henry V as the rallying point for his army before they sailed the Channel to France and victory in the Battle of Agincourt.

Although bloodshed and battle may have shaped much of the South East, it was and is chosen by some for its peace, beauty and tranquillity. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert decided to create their family home and seaside retreat on the Isle of Wight. "Beloved Osborne" with its magnificent gardens with views of the Solent, its stunning Royal Apartments and more intimate family rooms, remained a favourite home of hers until her death at Osborne House in January 1901. Other Royalty enjoyed less pleasant experiences on the Isle of Wight when the medieval castle of Carisbrooke served as the prison for Charles I shortly before his execution.

Amongst all these great historic sites are also many hidden gems, many of them offering free access. From Neolithic burial sites and standing stones along the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire to the tranquillity and evocative ruins of Waverly Abbey in Surrey, the region simply pulsates with the history of the people who shaped it.