South England for a week

chewed

I'm heading to a wedding in Kent in early October and have decided to make a short holiday out of it so am looking for things to do and visit around the south of England. I'd like to visit Brighton, but other than that I'm not sure where else to go. I'll have a rental car, but wouldn't like too long a drive!

Any advice on where to visit?

shrapnel222

chewed wrote: »

I'm heading to a wedding in Kent in early October and have decided to make a short holiday out of it so am looking for things to do and visit around the south of England. I'd like to visit Brighton, but other than that I'm not sure where else to go. I'll have a rental car, but wouldn't like too long a drive!

Any advice on where to visit?

a few random ideas:

Canterbury
Winchester
HighClere Castle (Where downton abbey is filmed)
Hastings
cliffs of Dover

chewed

Thanks! I always wanted to see Cliffs of Dover so will put this on the list and possibly one of the cathedrals.

LXFlyer

Rye is also a charming town to visit.

The rail network is fairly extensive as well which might cut the driving down too.

two wheels good

Brighton is well worth a visit.
For some touring in Sussex I'd suggest smaller towns\villages and particularly those along the South Downs, which stretches from Eastbourne to Winchester
An alternative to the white cliffs of Dover is the Seven Sisters Park, just west of Eastbourne
Be sure to take a walk on the Downs for stunning views. Devils Dyke view point 5 miles north of Brighton is very accessible. But there are many others.

Lewes is worth a visit. bustling market town, old Tudor town , Anne of Cleeves House. Have a pint of the local Harvery's Best.
There are so many small quaint villages: Alfriston, Ditchling. Further West: Arundel with it's castle, Goodwood, Petworth, Midhurst. Lots of fine houses to visit, National Trust etc.

cdeb

The New Forest is 90 minutes west of Brighton. Well worth meandering through; beautiful old villages, with cattle and horses roaming free. Real old-style (but expensive) England.

Other attractions around as well, like the National Motor Museum (incorporating a Top Gear Museum) if that kind of thing is of interest.

patg

I would second the suggestion for New Forest.
Of course you have London on your doorstep from Kent and there is plenty there for anyone.
I like Leeds Castle too which I think is near Maidstone (no where Leeds!!)
Brighton as you say yourself is a great spot particularly if the weather is good.
Otherwise some really good suggestions above.

chewed

Thanks for all the tips! There's a lot of good destinations here. I'd definitely be into doing some nice walks/hikes.

I think my wife would file for a divorce if I dragged her along to a transport museum. She still hasn't forgotten the time I brought her to the one in Belfast!

cdeb

chewed wrote: »

I think my wife would file for a divorce if I dragged her along to a transport museum. She still hasn't forgotten the time I brought her to the one in Belfast!

Ha! Fair enough so.

Don't let that necessarily put you off the New Forest though. I just through it out there as an example of other activities in the area. Really the Forest itself is reason enough to visit.

InTheTrees

Chichester is pretty. Portsmouth has the naval museum, hms victory etc.