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Slow Travel Google Map: Southeast England

Author: WestSussexBird (WSB)
Notes:

Ancient Monuments

Battle Abbey (SV)

Remains of the abbey built at the site of the Battle of Hastings.

Bayham Abbey (SV)

One of the most impressive abbey ruins in southern England.

Bignor Roman Villa (SV)

Fine mosaics.

Fishbourne Roman Palace (SV)

Remains, including impressive mosaics, of one of the greatest known buildings of Roman Britain.

Lullingstone Roman Villa (SV)

The building, which protects the Roman remains, has recently been redeveloped. There are fine mosaics and some of the earliest Christian paintings.

Michelham Priory (SV)

Historic house built on site of medieval priory.

Richborough Roman Fort (SV)

The entrance port to Roman Britain.

St Augustine's Abbey (SV)

The ruins of the abbey founded by St Augustine.

Arundel W&WT Bird Reserve (SV)

Beachy Head & The Seven Sisters (SV)

Dungeness RSPB Bird Reserve (SV)

Hammer Ponds (SV)

Leith Hill (SV)

North Downs (SV)

Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve (SV)

Pulborough Brooks (SV)

Pulborough Brooks RSPB nature reserve.

South Downs (SV)

Warnham Pond (SV)

Bateman's (SV)

This was originally an iron master's house. It was bought in the early 1900s by the writer Rudyard Kipling, and the Kipling mementos give a strong impression of life in their family home.

Brighton Royal Pavilion (SV)

The Georgian Prince of Wales's pleasure palace by the sea, built in exotic "hindoo" style with remarkable interiors; whatever you do in Brighton don't miss the Dining Room, kitchen and Music Room.

Charleston Farmhouse (SV)

Country retreat of artists from the Bloomsbury Set, with charming artworks. Don't miss the church in the nearby village of Berwick with murals painted by members of the Set.

Chartwell (SV)

Winston Churchill's country home, where he would retreat to write, to lay bricks, to paint and to grow roses.

Chiddingstone Castle (SV)

A late 18th century Gothic Revival mansion housing an extraordinary collection of Egyptian, Buddhist and Japanese artifacts.

Chiswick House (SV)

Important in architectural history as a pioneering recreation of a Palladian villa; set in a pioneering landscape garden.

Clandon Park (SV)

An Italianate early 18th century house, with a magnificent entrance hall. The rooms house a fine art collection, although it has rather a museum-like feel.

Cobham Hall (SV)

A 17th century mansion with characterful 18th century interiors. It is now a school so can normally only be visited during school holidays. Don't miss the village.

Down House (SV)

Charles Darwin's home, with a homely feel; follow Darwin's footsteps on the famous Sand Walk.

Eltham Palace (SV)

The great hammer-beam roofed hall remains of the medieval royal palace; otherwise it is notable for the very fine Art Deco interiors in the house.

Firle Place (SV)

The house nestles in a lovely setting at the foot of the Downs. It is noted for Rococo plasterwork and a fine collection of pictures. Don't miss the village of West Firle.

Glynde Place (SV)

Another house nestling in a lovely setting near the foot of the Downs. An Elizabethan house with a notable paneled gallery. Don't miss the unusual Georgian church next door.

Goodwood House (SV)

The house is set in loveliest Downland surroundings, but as architecture it is disappointing. However, it is still occupied by the Duke of Richmond and his rich art collection fills its lavish interiors.

Great Dixter (SV)

A traditional Wealden house reinstated by Edwardian architect Lutyens; famous garden of noted garden writer, Christopher Lloyd.

Greenwich (SV)

The first classical Italianate house in England, a great museum featuring Britain's naval history, the site of the Greenwich Meridian, and Christopher Wren's great home for old sailors containing great murals by Thornhill, all in an ideal riverside setting in East London.

Ham House (SV)

One of the greatest 17th century houses in England, beside the Thames; richly furnished with a fine art collection and notable early embroidery.

Hampton Court (SV)

Tudor palace built by Cardinal Wolsey, taken over by Henry VIII and modernized in the time of William & Mary (about 1690); great royal art collection, including Mantegna's Triumphs of the Caesars in the Orangery. The garden is an exciting mixture of tastes and styles, including the spacious Great Fountain garden; the Great Vine may be the oldest in the world.

Hatchlands Park (SV)

Although the interiors were designed by Robert Adam (one of his first works after returning from studies in Italy) this house contains nothing as grand as Clandon's hall, but it has more atmosphere because the National Trust has for many years let it to a wealthy tenant who has filled it a great clutter of many old pianos and much of his own art collection.

Ightham Mote (SV)

A picture-perfect moated manor-house.

Knole (SV)

A vast medieval/Tudor palace, lavishly furnished. Surrounded by extensive deer park.

Lamb House (SV)

Writer Henry James's Georgian house in picture-book hill-town.

Loseley Park (SV)

Tudor mansion, family atmosphere, garden recreated to Jekyll design within the huge walled garden area.

Lullingstone Castle (SV)

A family home in a beautiful setting, with the village church on the front lawn.

Monk's House (SV)

Writer Virginia Woolf's village home; cottage garden.

Parham House & Gardens (SV)

Unspoiled Elizabethan mansion nestling at foot of South Downs; delightful approach through the deer park; lovable garden.

Penshurst Place (SV)

Palatial Elizabethan house in attractive village setting.

Petworth House (SV)

The grandest house in Sussex, filled with one of the best art collections in Britain; especially notable are unforgettable carved wood panels by Grinling Gibbons and the paintings Turner painted for the house; the extensive deer-park was designed by Capability Brown.

Polesden Lacey (SV)

Home of an Edwardian society hostess (a future king honeymooned here), with interesting art collection and fine gardens.

Quebec House (SV)

Home of General Wolfe, hero of the capture of Quebec in 1759.

Restoration House (SV)

Seventeenth century town house, filled in recent years by enthusiastic new owners with authentic furniture and art, and a garden beautifully restored; a delight to visit.

Squerryes Court (SV)

A classic country house in lovely Kent countryside. It featured as the home of Emma Woodhouse in the 2009 TV adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma.

St Mary's House (SV)

Atmospheric medieval house.

Standen (SV)

Built in Arts & Crafts style and filled with fascinating Arts & Crafts objects from wallpaper to light-fittings.

Syon House (SV)

This has been the seat of the Dukes of Northumberland for centuries; its stern exterior belies the opulence of the interior, which was remodeled by Robert Adam in the 1760s.

Uppark (SV)

A textbook symmetrical classical mansion, set in rolling Downland. It has an exquisite interior, which has been completely restored after a fire in 1989. As with many National Trust houses the kitchens and other service rooms in the basement are fascinatingly presented.

Arundel Castle (SV)

The home of the Duke of Norfolk. A medieval castle much rebuilt in medieval style in the 18th and 19th centuries it conveys a very grand impression. It has a fine art collection. The Fitzalan-Howard family remained Roman Catholic despite the English reformation and retained the east end of the parish church as a private chapel, which can only be visited as part of a castle tour; this is memorable for a magnificent collection of tombs.

Bodiam Castle (SV)

Fine ruined castle in most beautiful setting.

Camber Castle (SV)

Built in the reign of Henry VIII to protect the port of Rye.

Cowdray Castle (SV)

Impressive ruins of Tudor castle.

Deal Castle (SV)

One of a chain of coastal defense castles built in the reign of Henry VIII.

Dover Castle (SV)

One of England's greatest castles. The walls contain a Roman lighthouse and as one of the oldest churches in the country as well as the great castle keep. This has recently been redecorated in 12th century style.

Farnham Castle Keep (SV)

Herstmonceux Castle (SV)

Magnificent moated brick castle (visit the gardens and grounds only).

Hever Castle & Gardens (SV)

A moated castle, with mock-Tudor village built for Waldorf Astor's guests, and a splendid Italianate garden; once the home of Henry VIII's second wife, Ann Boleyn.

Leeds Castle (SV)

Romantically set in its moat, Leeds is marketed as "the most beautiful castle in the world."

Lewes Castle (SV)

Ruins dominating the hill-town.

Pevensey Castle (SV)

Impressive remains of medieval castle with Roman origins.

Rochester Castle (SV)

One of the greatest Norman keeps in England; climb to the top for a panoramic view.

Scotney Castle (SV)

One of England's most romantic gardens, with castle ruins in a lake.

Upnor Castle (SV)

Set in a pleasant water-side village looking over to Chatham dockyard, this fort watched the humiliating defeat of the English navy by the Dutch in the 1660s.

Walmer Castle & Gardens (SV)

Originally built in the reign of Henry VIII, this is now the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

Arundel Cathedral (SV)

A Roman Catholic cathedral built in the 19th century in a pure French Gothic style.

Boxgrove Priory Church (SV)

Brookland Church (SV)

Burton Church (SV)

Canterbury Cathedral (SV)

Perhaps England's greatest cathedral, built by French architects after a fire in the 12th century, considerably enhanced in later periods not least by the superb 15th century tower. It is particularly noted for its stained glass, comparable with the finest in France, and for its monuments. Don't miss the crypt and the cloister.

Chichester Cathedral (SV)

A mainly 12th-13th century building, lovable rather than grand; it contains two outstanding Norman sculptured reliefs and, thanks originally to patronage by an enlightened dean, an unusually fine collection of art works from the last 50 years.

Cobham Church (SV)

Didling Church (SV)

Dunsfold Church (SV)

Guildford Cathedral (SV)

An interesting 20th century re-interpretation of the Gothic, but not to everyone's taste. It has an unusually fine position overlooking the town.

Hascombe Church (SV)

Hythe Church (SV)

Lancing College Chapel (SV)

This is not a cathedral but a 19th century school chapel, but is as fine and impressive as many a cathedral and well worth a visit.

Lullingstone Church (SV)

Minster-in-Sheppey Church (SV)

Minster-in-Thanet Church (SV)

North Stoke Church (SV)

Rochester Cathedral (SV)

Kent's second cathedral, forming a fine group with the ruins of the castle in a charming corner of the old town.

St Bartholomew's Church Brighton (SV)

Steyning Church (SV)

Stoke d'Abernon Church (SV)

Stone Church (SV)

Tudeley Church (SV)

Up Marden Church (SV)

Upwaltham Church (SV)

Warminghurst Church (SV)

West Firle Church (SV)

Winchelsea Church (SV)

Withyham Church (SV)

Large Towns

Brighton (SV)

Where the "seaside" was invented. The most vibrant town in southeast England.

Canterbury (SV)

The capital of ancient Kent. It is a compact city with the circuit of ancient walls still evident. The ancient streets near the cathedral and the cathedral precinct itself are particularly atmospheric.

Chichester (SV)

This is one of the most enjoyable towns to visit. It is an elegant Georgian town which has been less affected by modern development than most. The lovely cathedral spire dominates the town as well as all distant views. Don't miss St Mary's Hospital, where old people still live in a fascinating church-like medieval almshouse.

Guildford (SV)

The county town of Surrey, with a bustling center.

Emmets Garden (SV)

Goodnestone Park Gardens (SV)

Great Comp (SV)

Groombridge Place Gardens (SV)

Kew Gardens (SV)

The Royal Botanic Gardens; extensive vistas of trees and shrubs, a Chinese pagoda, a miniature royal palace, flower beds of course, a cactus house, giant water-lilies and fabulous glass houses.

Leonardslee (SV)

Famous for its rhododendrons and azaleas in a steep valley with a remarkable "Himalayan" feel.

Nymans Gardens (SV)

One of Sussex's best gardens. Go, if you can, in high summer (around July and August) to see the famous double border at its best.

Painshill Park (SV)

Pioneering 18th century landscape garden, being authentically restored.

Pashley Manor Garden (SV)

Beautifully maintained private garden.

Savill Gardens & Valley Garden (SV)

Great ornamental gardens on the Royal Estate.

Sheffield Park Garden (SV)

Best in spring or, especially, autumn for the colour around the lakes.

Sissinghurst (SV)

One of England's most famous and influential gardens.

Wakehurst Place (SV)

An outpost of Kew Gardens (the Royal Botanic Garden) specializing in plants that prefer the acid, sandy soil of the High Weald.

West Dean Gardens (SV)

The highlights are beautifully maintained walled kitchen garden and glasshouses.

Winkworth Arboretum (SV)

Great collection of trees, especially fine in spring (bluebell time) and autumn.

Wisley (SV)

Headquarters of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Amberley Working Museum (SV)

Open air museum of local industrial history.

Anne of Cleves House (SV)

Ancient house in a delightful corner of this delightful town.

Booth Museum (SV)

A remarkable natural history museum.

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery (SV)

An excellent collection of furniture, crafts and fashion from the last two centuries; also a fine picture collection and good exhibits on local history.

Cass Sculpture Foundation (SV)

A high-class sculpture park.

Chatham Historic Dockyard (SV)

A visit to this dockyard, which saw its heyday in the 18th century makes an excellent day out for anyone interested in the sea or shipbuilding. Highlights include the quarter-mile long "ropewalk" and three ships to tour, including a submarine.

De La Warr Pavilion (SV)

A pioneering 1930s modernist building, recently refurbished and being used for exhibitions of contemporary art.

Ditchling Museum (SV)

A fascinating small-scale museum devoted to the community of graphic artists and craftsmen who lived in Ditchling in the 20th century.

Dulwich Picture Gallery (SV)

The first purpose-built picture gallery, with a top-quality collection of Old Masters.

Finchcocks (SV)

Historic keyboard instruments displayed in a Georgian Manor House.

Maidstone Museum & Art Gallery (SV)

A varied collection in an old town house.

Millennium Seed Bank (SV)

Part of Kew Gardens' project to conserve as many seed species as possible.

Pallant House Gallery (SV)

One of the best collections of 20th century British art in a fine 18th century house with modern extension; all just a stone's throw from the cathedral and the center of this lovable town.

Royal Hollway Picture Gallery (SV)

A remarkable collection of Victorian art in a remarkable college building.

Towner Art Gallery (SV)

A major art collection, recently moved into brand new gallery. It is noted especially for its holdings of 20th century English art.

Watts Gallery (SV)

A very personal museum, created by and devoted to the Victorian artist G. F. Watts, painter of portraits and visionary scenes. Don't miss the unique mortuary chapel built by his wife in the nearby cemetery, or the village church.

Weald & Downland Museum (SV)

A pioneering "open air" museum presenting buildings of all ages assembled from throughout the region.

Wernher Collection (SV)

Ranger's House, Blackheath houses a fabulous art collection assembled by a diamond magnate a century ago.

Chantry Hill (Walking) (SV)

Car park on Chantry Hill near Storrington; a good place to start a walk.

Cissbury Ring (Walking) (SV)

Poohsticks Bridge (Walking) (SV)

Towns

Lewes (SV)

A hill-town (which is unusual in England) with a lovely, mainly Georgian, center dominated by the castle ruins.

Rye (SV)

Sandwich (SV)

Tunbridge Wells (SV)

One of the oldest spa towns in England.

Amberley (SV)

Bletchingley (SV)

Bosham (SV)

Chiddingstone (SV)

A single village street (pub, shop and a few houses with church opposite) preserved by the National Trust.

Chilham (SV)

Fletching (SV)

Lingfield (SV)

Shere (SV)

Smarden (SV)

Steyning (SV)

West Burton, Bignor, Sutton, etc (SV)

West Burton, Bignor, Sutton, Graffham, Heyshott, Cocking ... the chain of villages in most beautiful countryside along the foot of the Downs south of Petworth.

West Firle (SV)

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