Step deeper into England's history!

Take a vacation to South East England, England's oldest region, and get in touch with thousands of years of heritage.

We can start the history trail in Kent's back in the days of Julius Caesar, when the Romans entered the region in 54BC. The remains of the Roman Fort at Richborough still stand - visit today and imagine the Roman legions looking out across to France!

Canterbury is one of England's oldest cities with a continuous history. The story of its sublime World Heritage Site - the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church - begins in AD 597 when St Augustine came to reintroduce Christianity to southern England.

Henry II, one of England's most powerful kings, reigned (1154-89) over truly dramatic episodes in Britain's history. Step into the thick of Henry II's royal family and court life in Dover Castle's Great Tower. Re-opened following its £2 million-plus transformation by English Heritage, it bristles with atmosphere.

Walk in the footsteps of the Tudors through the real-life settings of the dramatic love intrigues of King Henry VIII. At Hever Castle discover how Anne Boleyn spent her childhood and learn how the Tudor fort of Walmer Castle was transformed into the elegant residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (home to the Duke of Wellington amongst others).

Kent's links to world history are well defined with some of the greats of Britain's past choosing to live here. Sir Winston Churchill based his home at Chartwell where history played itself out during World War II. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution revolutionised the way we see ourselves. Although Darwin sailed the globe aboard the Beagle, he gathered the majority of the evidence for his ideas around his home, Down House in Kent.

For an insight into Kent's maritime heritage a visit to The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a must. Follow the story of vessels and men who sailed the high seas. The naval heritage site, the most complete dockyard of the Age of Sail, spans over 400 years of maritime history. 

There are an abundance of castles and historic homes in the wider southeast region. Arundel Castle in Sussex looms high on a hill overlooking the town, Guildford Castle in Surrey has a Roman keep that is almost intact, and one of the most famous castles in England - Windsor Castle - is still inhabited by the Queen.

Palatial Goodwood House in West Sussex has a world-class horse racing track, a motor racing circuit and a large private art collection. Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire was famous as a WWII code-breaking centre and now houses a superb museum, while the gigantic baroque pile of Blenheim Palace is one of the most architecturally elaborate historic houses in England.

Check out our range of self-drive itineraries and step deeper into England's history.