England Guide
Kent and Sussex
The southeast corner of England was traditionally where London went on holiday. Although many of the old seaside resorts have struggled to keep their tourist custom in the face of ever more accessible foreign destinations, the region still boasts considerable charm, its narrow country lanes and verdant meadows appearing in places almost untouched by modern life.
The proximity of Kent and Sussex to the continent has dictated the history of this region, which has served as a gateway for an array of invaders. Roman remains dot the coastal area, notably near Chichester at Fishbourne Roman Palace. When Christianity spread through Europe, it arrived in Britain on the Isle of Thanet – the northeast tip of Kent, since rejoined to the mainland by silting and subsiding sea levels. In 597 AD Augustine moved inland and established a monastery at Canterbury, still the home of the Church of England and the county's prime historic attraction. The last successful invasion of England took place in 1066, when the Normans overran King Harold's army near Hastings and left their mark all over this corner of the kingdom; Kent remains unmatched in its profusion of medieval castles, among them Dover's sprawling cliff-top fortress guarding against continental invasion.
Away from the great historic sites, you can spend unhurried days in elegant old towns such as Rye and Lewes, or enjoy the less elevated charms of the traditional resorts, of which fashionable Brighton is far and away the best, combining the buzz of a university town with a good-time atmosphere and an excellent range of eating options. Kent, Sussex and Surrey also harbour some of the country's finest gardens, among them the great landscaped estate of Petworth House.
Almost everywhere of interest in this corner of England is close to a train station. National Express services from London and other main towns are pretty good, though local bus services are less impressive.
Highlights
1 Canterbury Cathedral The destination of the pilgrims in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, with a magnificent sixteenth-century interior that includes a shrine to the murdered Thomas à Becket.
2 The White Cliffs of Dover Best seen from a boat, the famed chalky cliffs also offer walks and vistas over the Channel.
3 Rye Superb hilltop town offering some of the best meals, accommodation and pubs in Sussex.
4 The Royal Pavilion, Brighton George IV's pleasure dome, designed by Nash, is the supreme (and only) example of Oriental Gothic architecture.
5 Petworth House As well as being one of the country's most attractive stately homes, this place is home to a splendid art collection.
6 Fishbourne Roman Palace Mosaics and a well-preserved heating system are among the treasures to be seen at the country's greatest Roman palace, just outside Chichester.