Things to do in South East England

Admire the opulent Royal Apartments and private family bedrooms within the mansion. See the twin desks where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert worked. Explore the magnificently decorated Durbar Room. The furniture and artifacts reveal intricate details about entertainment at Osborne, from state banquets to family meals. Currently, only the lower floor of Osborne House is open for visitors to view. See where the royal children played house and tended their own gardens down at the Swiss Cottage. There's a room dressed as it was on 11th July 1861, when the children prepared afternoon tea for their parents, not long before Prince Albert's tragic death.  Stroll in the pleasure gardens, alongside historic trees, and enjoy the Victorian Walled Garden much as the royal couple did. Take a trip down to the royal family's once jealously guarded private beach, with Victoria's restored bathing machine.

Step into the vibrant world of Henry II’s medieval royal palace and follow lifelike hologram figures round the private chambers, guest rooms, and great hall, along with the kitchen and armories. After immersing yourself in life at the 12th-century court, climb to the roof of the Great Tower for amazing panoramic views over the huge medieval castle, which was one of the strongest in England. Enjoy the unique experience of the secret wartime tunnels, telling the story of the 1940 Miracle of Dunkirk using film, audio, and archive photography. Witness the evacuation of over 300,000 British and allied troops as the rescue operation is played out before your eyes.

Experience the south coast’s most spectacular view. Spinnaker Tower stands at 170 meters tall, offering breath-taking 23-mile views over Portsmouth Harbour, the city, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. The iconic landmark boasts a high-speed lift and three sky-high viewing decks. Venture across the thrilling glass ‘Sky Walk’ at 100 meters above sea level; discover stories behind the surrounding sites with informative touchscreen displays; try vertigo-inducing virtual reality, breath in the view from the open air ‘Sky Garden’; relax in The Clouds with a coffee, a glass of bubbly or a decadent High Tea; and enjoy delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients in the Waterfront Cafe.

Pick from individual or family entry tickets to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Visit attractions including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, The National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS M.33, The Mary Rose Museum, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower and The Royal Navy Submarine Museum. Marvel at the exhibitions at the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth and explore in any order you want, and at any time you want within a year. Choose between a family or an individual ticket. Step into the past as you explore historic ships, including Lord Nelson’s world-famous flagship HMS Victory, Queen Victoria’s HMS Warrior, and the First World War’s HMS M.33 Marvel at Henry VIII's Tudor warship, the Mary Rose and take the complimentary waterbus to Gosport to visit the Cold War submarine, HMS Alliance. Enjoy a sightseeing harbor cruise around Portsmouth Harbour and view the ships of the modern Royal Navy for a complete picture of Britain's naval history.

Step inside Oxford University and explore the grounds on a guided walking tour. Admire the iconic architecture and learn about university life from your student guide. Visit one of the university’s oldest colleges and the Bodleian Library. Learn about the history of the university colleges, including All Souls College, Trinity College, Oriel College, Hertford College, and Merton College, the Radcliffe Camera, and the University Church of St. Mary. Get an equally in-depth history of the town. Hear about ceremonies at Oxford, famous graduates, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and also how the most powerful Archbishop of Canterbury was burned at the stake in Oxford.

With over 30 thrilling rides, attractions and live events, Thorpe Park Resort is an island like no other and the UK’s must-visit destination to share endless fun with family and friends. Crafted by the master of mind control Derren Brown, this one-of-a-kind 13-minute experience promises to blow your mind by fusing five multi-sensory experiences of grand illusion, live-action, next-generation technology, 4D special effects, and physical transit. Then fly into ANGRY BIRDS LAND, home to the world’s first ANGRY BIRDS 4D experience, where the feathered flock roost on the 100ft rapid drop tower ride Detonator, while Red Bird and the Bad Piggies go bump to bump on a classic dodgems attraction. Enjoy world-class rides such as the UK’s first winged rollercoaster THE SWARM, Stealth, one of Europe’s fastest and tallest roller coasters, and the 100ft ‘beyond vertical’ drop of the movie-themed coaster SAW-The Ride. PLUS five water rides including the super-soaking Tidal Wave, Storm Surge, and Logger’s Leap guarantee the thrills and fun. Alternatively, visit the park during Halloween and book tickets and passes for the ultimate theme park Halloween event by choosing the FRIGHT NIGHTS Special Option. Every FRIGHT NIGHTS day ticket includes the chance to enjoy 7 scare mazes and attractions.

Join a university-educated guide, with years of experience and local knowledge of Oxford City and colleges. See the dreamy spires of one of the oldest universities in the world on a guided walking tour. Go inside some of the city’s most historic colleges, such as New College, founded in 1379 and more recently seen in the Harry Potter films and television productions of Inspector Morse and Lewis. Visit Exeter College, founded in 1314, and another favorite on most tours. Stop by Hertford College, with its romantic façade and Bridge of Sighs, instantly recognizable from Brideshead Revisited. See the University Library and learn about the collegiate system unique to Oxford and Cambridge. Discover famous alumni who studied and taught at the university, including the infamous Dr Spooner, whose portraits hang in New College Dining Hall and whose name is given to the playful linguistic phenomenon of spoonerisms.

Enjoy views across Brighton, the South Downs and the Sussex coastline from a fully enclosed futuristic glass pod. Learn about the many area landmarks seen from Brighton i360, using the free viewing map and free app. Enjoy a drink at the Nyetimber Sky Bar, serving a range of local drinks including Nyetimber, an award-winning sparkling wine. Visit the beach building for the Brighton i360: How it Was Built exhibition. Enjoy a meal at West Beach Bar & Kitchen or West Beach Cafe, or browse the Brighton i360 shop for a range of gifts and souvenirs, many created by local Brighton artists.

What child does not dream of becoming a knight, an explorer, a test driver or a pilot and entering into a fascinating world of adventure? At the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort there are over 55 rides and attractions where children can fly through the treetops to escape fearsome dragons, ride the thrilling rapids with a Viking fleet, join LEGO® divers on a magical underwater adventure on Atlantis Submarine Voyage or enjoy the UK’s only LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display.   The LEGOLAND park has lots to offer for families with children between the ages of 3 and 12 looking for adventure – enough for several days of fun and action. The LEGOLAND experience continues even after park closing time in the awesome LEGOLAND Hotel, where visitors can spend the night in a fully themed bedrooms. Explore the awesome resort at your leisure. LEGO® NINJAGO™ World is now open! The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort challenges YOU to become a master of Spinjitzu at the all new LEGO® NINJAGO™ World. Join your favorite heroes and take on awesome training activities as you prepare for the ultimate test of your ninja skills on LEGO® NINJAGO™ The Ride.

From medieval lanes and pilgrim inns to the majestic Cathedral's Precincts, travel back in time as your guide regales you with stories and reveals how the city has evolved over the years on this 90-minute guided walking tour. Meet your Guide in the historic Buttermarket in central Canterbury and begin to explore this historic place. Walk through the narrow cobbled lanes with their timber-framed buildings and see magnificent views toward the Cathedral. Admire the Crooked House, the Old Weavers' House and infamous ducking stool, and Eastbridge Hospital, a place of hospitality for Pilgrims since 1190. You’ll also see more modern architecture such as the Marlowe Theatre and its very own moving statue. You will also journey around the outside of the Cathedral, and where possible see the ruins of the old monastery, the cloisters, and the grounds of the historic King's School.