The Most Unmissable Destinations in Southern England
Updated: Sep 3
Despite being a relatively small area, Southern England is packed with must-see places from historic cities to charming seaside towns and quintessential country villages, all easily reachable from London. Between them, they behold some of the country’s most ancient landmarks, impressive buildings, and scenic landscapes.
In this article, we highlight the most unmissable destinations to visit in Southern England. While most of them can be done on London day trips, we know that once you learn more about them, you will want to spend more time indulging in their wonders. Among these destinations are opportunities to wander around a neolithic village, catch the train at Platform 9 ¾, eat the best of British farm-to-table food, and surf world-famous waves. Which destinations in Southern England will get your attention?
Browse the city of Bath
If you’re looking for an upmarket city with oodles of history and a trendy shopping and dining scene, look no further than Bath. The city is named after the 2000-year-old Roman baths found here which happen to be the best preserved of their kind in Europe. The baths are made from a unique cream-coloured limestone that has since become known as Bath Stone as every single building in the small city is constructed with it, giving it an exceptionally charming aesthetic.
From the Roman Baths to Bath Abbey and Jane Austin’s residence, the city is built around many pieces of English history and yet, that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of the most fashionable cities in the country. Find cool concept dining, hip riverside bars, and a wide selection of cool independent boutiques amongst high-end brands. And of course, this upmarket city is oozing with culture too. Head to the Holbourne Museum which resides in a romantic Neo-Classical country estate before visiting No.1 Royal Crescent to experience life in Regency England.
Unfurl the Mysteries of Stonehenge
Few places in the world hold as much mystery and lore as Stonehenge, the legendary 5,000-year-old monolith in Wiltshire, Southern England. To this day, it remains unknown what they were built for or how humans could have moved 4x2 metre stones weighing 25 tonnes each from where they were mined in Wales and balanced so faultlessly in place. Since the stones are aligned to frame the summer and winter solstice sunrise and sunset, Stonehenge has become an ancient ritual site for Pagans who have resided in southwest England for centuries.
Anyone who visits Stonehenge isn’t just blown away by the physical size and power of the monolith but also by the powerful energy that it emits, as if charged by thousands of years of spiritual practice. A visit to Stonehenge also includes access to a 4,000-year-old neolithic village and an exhibition centre that displays archeological artifacts including human remains.
Head to Hogwarts at Harry Potter Studios
Whether you’re a Harry Potter fanatic or barely made it through the first book, a tour of Harry Potter Studios shouldn’t be missed. It’s nothing short of fascinating to see where a lot of the scenes were filmed and the work that took place behind the scenes to make them happen. Many of the sets are now open to the public including the Hogwarts Great Hall, classrooms, Gryffindor common room, Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾, Diagon Alley, and Gringotts Bank where you will witness the dragon escape before your very eyes.
As you visit each set, the guide provides insightful information about what it took to film the series, as well as exciting insider anecdotes. Along the way, you will also learn all about film-making with close-up looks at costumes, CGI equipment, and the prosthetics used to make Gingotts’ goblins and Hermione’s petrified body. Being just a one-hour drive or train ride from central London, it’s easy to add to a short city trip as well as extended UK tours.
Cosy Up in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is an Area of Natural Beauty stretching from south to central England with scenery straight out of a Jane Austin novel. Think rolling hillscapes dotted with farms and cottages, huge Georgian estates, and quaint stone villages. There’s nowhere better to get a taste of the quintessential English life on a Southern England itinerary. Especially since the area is all about fresh, locally-made produce and farm-to-table dining.
The Cotswold’s is home to some of the country’s prettiest villages, including Tudor-era Broadway, and Castle Combe which is often used as a filming location for period dramas. While each of the villages has its own unique character, you can guarantee they all have traditional British pubs and restaurants, and independent shops selling everything from sweets and fudge to English interiors.
Besides visiting villages, the Cotswolds is the perfect place to do some hiking. There are many long hiking routes with a full range of difficulty levels to suit all abilities. However, it’s just as rewarding to wander idly from one village to the next stopping at all the local pubs along the way.
Canterbury & White Cliffs of Dover
As the seat of the Anglican Church, Canterbury is one of England’s most historically significant cities, making it a most rewarding stop on a UK itinerary. Canterbury Cathedral, situated in the heart of the city, is an architecturally fascinating Gothic building dating back hundreds of years. However, the artifacts and stories held within its walls might just take the spotlight. Small cobblestone streets surrounding the cathedral are lined with warped and crooked Tudor-era timber-framed houses now occupied by cool shops and restaurants, adding to the city’s enormous sense of charm.
Being situated on the corner of Southern England’s east and south coasts, Canterbury is surrounded by Victorian-era seaside towns and just a thirty-minute (20-mile) drive from the White Cliffs of Dover. Pigmented by their chalky sediment, the White Cliffs stretch for eight impressive miles and rise a mighty 110 metres from the sea. Their beauty, highlighted by the royal-blue English Channel and green grassy carpet, can be enjoyed on short and long coastal walks which feature rewarding viewpoints.
See the Cornish Coast’s Seaside Towns
Cornwall is a slow-paced and peaceful county located on a narrow section of land in the quiet southwest corner of England stretching towards Land’s End, the southernmost point of the country. With two coastlines pollinated with quaint seaside towns, it’s the ideal destination for a beach break. From Bude to Falmouth, each destination offers everything an English seaside town should including scenic beaches, quirky shops, cafes, and restaurants, and family entertainment. Oh, and top-quality fish and chips. Yet, each has a unique personality; while Newquay is world-famous for its surf scene, St Ives is an upmarket destination known for its art scene.
While the Cornish Coast encourages visitors to take life at a more glacial pace, there are few places better to enjoy scenic coastal walks. Since the entire coast of England has a walking path, you can join it at any point and hike as much or as little of the Cornish Coast as you like. Just don’t miss out on seeing Durdle Door, England’s famous arched sea stack, and be sure to reach Land’s End for an extra feeling of accomplishment.
Brush Up on your Studies at Oxford
Centred upon Oxford University, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, the city of Oxford is like one large Gothic castle complex. There are over 30 colleges within Oxford University, each with its own campus buildings spread throughout the city. While some are modern, most date back at least a couple of hundred years. From building features like the Bridge of Sighs and Bodleian Library to the people who studied there, each of the university’s sights has an astonishing sense of history.
Besides its stunning architecture and significant history, Oxford sets itself apart with its wealth of highly regarded museums. While the Ashmolean Museum holds an extraordinary collection of ancient and modern art and antiquities, the University Museum of Natural History displays fascinating natural discoveries made by Oxford students and faculty.
Between the campuses, libraries, and museums, Oxford gives you an intriguing insight into the life of the world’s smartest students. Yet like any university town, it’s brimming with trendy shops, restaurants, and cafes that prove it’s cool and fun too.
Start Planning Your Southern England Itinerary
With all the insight you need into where to visit on your Southern England itinerary, it’s time to start planning your trip. At Lore Luxury Travel, our expert trip designers can create a bespoke luxury itinerary featuring all of your must-see destinations so you can focus on looking forward to it. To find out more send us a message by clicking here.