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

An image of a child in a waterproof coat jumping over a puddle at Kenilowrth Castle.

Stop hibernating. Start exploring.

Days out are back and we’ve got lots of ideas to get you out and about in 2026.

Check out our brand-new Adventurer’s Checklist: it’s the best way to get your family and friends back out exploring English Heritage sites together.

Start exploring
A view of the entrance to Battle Abbey

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield

The Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, is one of the best-known events in England’s history, when William of Normandy defeated the army of King Harold of England.

 

Visit the battlefield which owes its survival to William the Conqueror, who founded Battle Abbey on the exact spot where Harold died as penance for the bloodshed of the Norman Conquest.

Visit Battle Abbey and Battlefield
A family walking on Palace Green outside Dover Castle

Dover Castle

Standing tall atop those iconic white cliffs, Dover Castle looks out over the English Channel. On a clear day, you can see all the way to France.

 

Back on dry land, be sure to head underground into the secret wartime tunnels.

Visit Dover Castle
The bridge over the moat leading to Deal Castle

Deal Castle

Deal has everything you could want from a British seaside town. Kitsch arcades, fish & chips, and a Tudor fort at its heart. Head into the battlements at Deal Castle to learn how Henry VIII's turbulent reign shaped Britain's coast.

Visit Deal Castle
A view of the exterior of Osborne with the sun shining on the building at sunset

Osborne

Only one beach in Britain can claim to be Queen Victoria's private beach. Head to Osborne, to swim in the same place the legendary Victorian ruler went for dips.

Visit Osborne

Upcoming 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.

Your Places Appeal

Over 300 of our treasured sites are free to enter. They're open to everybody, no matter their means. But free to enter doesn't mean free to maintain. It costs over £4.2 million a year to care for these special places - and that's why we need your help. 

Please donate to our appeal today to help protect them for tomorrow.

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Two women, a dog and two children walk across a bridge with a rocky island and sea behind

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