South of England Road Trip

Your journey through the South East begins in Oxfordshire. Before making your way into Oxford, you could visit some of the impressive manors of North Oxfordshire.

With over 300 years of history, spectacular Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage Site and birthplace of Winston Churchill, is one not to miss.
Overnight – Oxford

A full day to explore this most famous and beautiful city. Oxford is a fantastic city to wander, with many of the university colleges and iconic landmarks such as the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and the Sheldonian Theatre located in the compact city centre.

There are many superb museums as well as walking and bus tours. To see the city from a different perspective, you could try punting on the River Thames – an archetypal Oxford experience.
Overnight – Oxford

From Oxford, it is a short drive to The Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty famed for its picturesque chocolate-box villages set amid rolling green countryside.

The villages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Lower Slaughter and Chipping Norton are excellent examples of these quintessentially English villages – full of winding lanes, cosy pubs and tearooms.
Overnight – Oxford

On the way to Brighton, make a stop at Windsor Palace – this striking residence has been a royal home and fortress for over 900 years.

You could also make a detour to visit Guildford, located in the Surrey Hills in an area synonymous with producing outstanding wines. Albury Vineyard, Greyfriars Vineyard and Denbies Wine Estate all offer fantastic tours and tastings.
Overnight – Brighton

A full day in Brighton to immerse yourself in everything that the bohemian coastal town has to offer. Visit the Royal Pavilion, an exotic seaside palace built for George IV, explore the independent boutiques and cafes in The Lanes, and take a walk through English seaside history on Brighton Palace Pier, a 1722 ft long Victorian pier which has stood since 1899.
Overnight – Brighton

Today you could choose to escape into the tranquillity of the South Downs, England’s newest national park, for a day walking the South Downs Way.

Alternatively, you could visit Fishbourne Roman Palace, an archaeological museum preserving the ground floor of a supply fort or Arundel Castle and its magnificent Gardens.
Overnight – Brighton

Your journey will continue along the coast to your final overnight stop, taking you through the towns of Eastbourne, Hastings and Rye – each with their own distinct charm.

You could choose to travel via Dover, to take in the world-famous White Cliffs – the dramatic limestone cliffs have been considered a symbol of hope and freedom for many centuries.

To learn more about Dover’s strategic importance, you could visit Dover Castle – an impressive fortress overlooking the channel.
Overnight – Canterbury

A day to spend exploring Canterbury, a cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site that was one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in Medieval England.

There is so much to see in this incredibly beautiful and historic city, including Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, Westgate, and St Martin’s Church, which is the oldest in the English speaking world.
Overnight – Canterbury

On the final day of your adventure through the South East, make the short journey from Canterbury to the Kent coast.

The towns of Whitstable, Margate and Broadstairs ooze old school seaside charm: Whitstable is famous for its fresh seafood, Broadstairs boasts two Blue Flag beaches and Margate is the home of Dreamland and the Turner Contemporary Gallery.
Overnight – Canterbury

After breakfast, it’s an hour and a half drive to London where your South of England Road Trip will come to an end.