great destinations around south-east england and wales – best of 2013

Looking back at the local highlights here in England, and more specifically South-East England, I have come up with a list of day-trips we enjoyed. Some places take a whole day to visit, others are best combined with another nearby destination – or great for a shorter visit alone.

Our family loves to spend a day exploring old castles and ruins, taking long walks around beautiful gardens and deer parks – and of course polishing it all off with a lovely lunch or a cream tea. Just click on the links below to read more about these fun and beautiful destinations around South-East England – and as a side-though I’ve added a couple of gorgeous places in Wales too!

Read about sea-front walks in NT properties in Dover – the White Cliffs of Dover and South Foreland Lighthouse in Kent 

Read about a day in Groombridge Place gardens – and Spa Valley train there and back in Kent

Read about NT property West Wycombe Park – a Palladian estate with impressive gardens in Buckinghamshire 

Read about NT property Wakehurst Place – lovely – and extensive gardens with meadows and woodland – good for a visit all year round in Sussex

Read about NT property Scotney Castle – a manor house, lovely gardens and romantic castle ruins in Kent 

Read about NT property Knole Park – our local historic house and deer park in Sevenoaks, Kent 

Read about the ruins of NT property Old Soar Manor in Kent

Read about NT property Nymans Garden – extensive gardens and romantic ruins in Sussex

Read about NT property Smallhythe Place – a true English cottage and theatre of actress Ellen Terry in Kent 

Read about NT property Emmetts Garden – often visited local destination for us with views of the Weald of Kent and connection to a more extensive trail network

Read about Bedgebury Pinetum – a heaven for hikers, mountain bikers and fans of hundred of pine varieties set around beautiful lakes and a forest

Read about NT property Tredegar House in Wales – the most impressive stables I’ve ever seen and the Dalek we found there, along with the manor, lake, gardens and more!

Read about NT property Dinefwr – an impressive country estate, deer park and amazing castle ruins with memorable views over surrounding valleys 

But that’s not all we did last year – we managed to visit many other beautiful castles, coastal areas, forests and gardens – many of which are feature on my #IGTravelThursday posts – such as the Windsor Castle,  the famous university town Oxford, Bodiam Castle in Sussex, or the loveliest castle in the world, Leeds, which we keep visiting ever so often!

Want to see these places on a map? Follow this link to my saved Google maps for “Day Trips Around South-East England and Wales”.

So relax, have a cup of tea and some scones and get reading about all these lovely destinations and get inspired for your next trip to England!