South East

Visit - South East

From the most famous date in English history at Battle Abbey to Dover Castle's darkly atmospheric secret wartime tunnels, English Heritage in the South East offers so many great places to visit.

Dover Castle, Kent

England's greatest fortress

1066 Battle Abbey, East Sussex

England’s most famous battlefield

Osborne, Isle of Wight

Victoria and Albert's seaside palace

Highlights from the South East

From beautiful gardens to exciting castles, there's something for everyone in the South East. 

 Place(s) To Stay

Key:

  • Multiple places
  • Place
Men in chanmail and helmets ride horses during a battle re-enactment

Upcoming events in the South East

We have events for visitors of all ages throughout the year. Book your tickets in advance and you can save up to 15% on your admission.

Discover events

South East England Travel

  • A Weekend in Kent

    Home to some of the most impressive historic sites in the country, the 'Garden of England' offers award-winning beaches, seaside towns, ancient marshes and the famous white chalk cliffs. Perfect to explore on a short break.

  • Walking Guide: Dover to Deal via Walmer

    This 10 mile walk offers panoramic views of the English Channel. Three mighty coastal forts stand on the route, from the medieval "Key to England" at Dover to Henry VIII's defences of Walmer and Deal.

  • Spotlight On Osborne

    Open the doors to the once private world of Queen Victoria and her family at Osborne. Victoria’s holiday home remains largely untouched, providing intimate details of royal life during the 19th century.

A woman laughs with a young girl wearing a witch's hat

Halloween

Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out this October half-term.

Join the Great Pumpkin Party as we celebrate the season with family activities and entertainment. There'll be interactive storytelling and spooky games, as well as a themed trail and a seasonal selfie spot around the site.

You can also take part in the daily fancy dress competition and you might just win a prize.

Included with general admission. Book early and save 15%. Members go free.

Find a Halloween event near you
Photo of historical re-enactors dressed as medieval soldiers on horseback and charging at the Battle of Hastings re-enactment

The Battle of Hastings

960 years since the Battle of Hastings took place, the one and only re-enactment returns.

On the very spot where King Harold and Duke William fought in 1066, over 500 reenactors will recreate the drama and intensity of this legendary conflict - and you can see it first-hand.

Book tickets for The Battle of Hastings
Three children jump from a hill next to Kenilworth Castle with their hands in the air.

5-star membership. Explore over 400 historic sites

Join today and enjoy unlimited historic days out across over 400 sites for the entire year and with free kids entry, there’s no better time to join and start making new memories all year round.

Plus your support for us as a charity means you're helping to protect heritage sites for generations to come.

Join today
A castle gatehouse with a large castle beyond

Stay in the South East

Make your holiday historic by staying in one of our holiday cottages. As well as sleeping where history actually happened, you get exclusive out of hours access to the site. Our cottages also make the perfect base to explore the surrounding area. 

We have holiday cottages at Battle Abbey, Carisbrooke Castle, Dover Castle, Osborne and Walmer Castle and Gardens.  

Find a holiday cottage