The Travel Blog by TravelPod

Darrenstravels has explored Europe, Australia, the US, China and the Middle East, but his home is in Southeast England. Here’s his list of favourite things to do in the South Eastern part of the UK.

1. London

There is no place like it on earth. It’s got everything you want (and don’t want) in a place. Two thousand years of history; a whole mixture of cultures; fantastic entertainment; worldclass museums; stunning architecture and so many nationalities blending into one. It has it’s problems, sure, but I love the place. Everyday I find something new there. Each inner suburb has it’s own theme, it’s own way. It’s awesome.

Pukky and her mom in front of the London Eye

So, with all of that sight seeing I really did learn a lot about the city of London. The British were also very nice and helpful. Mom and I ended up asking lots of people lots of questions and they were all very happy to help. – Pukky

2. Thousands of years of History

Southeast is full of History. Take all the Castles, for instance: Off the top of my head, there is Leeds Castle (1119), Bodium (1385), Dover (Roman to World War 2), Hever (13th century), Rochester (11th century)…plus then all the old houses and Roman forts all over the place.

Oh and there is of course the two World Wars. The skies of Kent played host to the air battles between England and Germany. As a results there are tons of fortifications, monuments and hidden things all to do with those times.

Darrenstravels' friend Helen and Leeds castle

It was built in the 12th Century, was home to a ton of Royalty, then opened to the public in the 1970’s.  That’s the gist of it, anyway. – Darrenstravels

3. The Countryside

Sure, it’s not quite like the moors or the Lakes. But it is very nice. We have amples of forests, lakes and marshlands to explore. Factor in all the crops grown, including of course Hops, of which we have the famous Oast Houses that tourists love, as do Estate Agents. There are few things more enjoyable than going for a walk in early spring, with the new born Lambs trotting about.

Oast houses in the English countryside

Our weekend explorations have taken us to many places in Kent. – Theskinners

4. South Coast

One word: Brighton.
Two more words: Camber Sands.

The former is a cool, trendy and slightly edgy students paradise, full of cool clubs, restaurants and stores. The later is the South Easts best beach….with huge sand dunes and masses of kite boarders.

Brighton beach with Shanemilli

We got very cheap tickets to take the train down to Brighton and all I really knew was that it was a popular beach destination – not in the fine white sand with coconuts version that Thailand can boast, but more the rocky, chilly but sunny British type. – Shanemilli

5. The land of Dickens and Chaucer

Can you read? Then you know of the above two. A ton of Dickens’ work is based in Rochester; and of course Chaucer is best known for The Canterbury Tales, based on those on a Pilgrimage to Canterbury. Both are in Kent.

The streets in Canterbury with Darren

Canterbury has a decent town centre, with a lot of very old buildings left and cool independent stores. – Darrenstravels

6. The Edge of Europe

The UK is indeed an Island (or two, actually). However we are linked to mainland Europe through a rail tunnel, of which is based in Kent. Being just 16 miles from the coast of France, we are at the edge of Europe. Two hours train travel will get you to Paris or Brussels. Two hours flight time and you can be in almost any Northern, Central or Western European country….and all those places are served by cheap budget carriers, based at Gatwick and Stanstead.

Darrenstravels lives in central Kent and thinks Tourists are overlooking the area.