London and the South East

From butterfly walks and bird-spotting to Herbridean sheep and hares, the South East has an abundance of wildlife on display by nature for you to embrace this summer.

In early summer, a haze of butterflies start emerging across the South East. Try one of our downloadable walks and trails and see if you can spot these beauties.

Why drop a snack in your backpack when you could make a meal out of it? Gather up your family and friends, pack your favourite summer lunch and seek out the perfect spot to unroll your picnic blanket on a visit to our countryside and gardens in the South East.

Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen’s Emma, who famously picnicked at Box Hill, or relax on the beach on the Isle of Wight.

Launching a kite, your dad flinging it hopefully in the air then leaping to avoid the double-back and dive. But when the wind took it and the strings tugged and it was flying, actually flying - do you remember the thrill of it as a child?

Such simple pleasures are among the activities you can get stuck into with the kids at our places across the South East this summer.

From garden rooms at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent, rambling roses at the world-famous rose garden at Mottisfont in Hampshire to the secret garden charms of the garden at Fenton House in Hampstead, London, you're bound to find a blaze of glorious garden colour at your local National Trust garden in the South East.

Grab a picnic blanket, some cold refreshments and good friends and enjoy a night under the stars watching a classic film or theatre production at one of our enchanting properties across London and the South East.

From the homes of great politicians to moated houses, to iconic cliff tops and strolls over green hills, welcome to Kent, the Garden of England.

The home of an Edwardian party house, the Surrey Hills and a watermill.

Finding new ways for Londoners to enjoy the capital’s special places

Home to a watermill, a mansion with a creative spirit and much more.

Whether its walking, cycling, family fun, wildlife or history that interests you, you can find it all on the Isle of Wight.

Where will you visit today? The rolling Chiltern hills? A magical garden? The home of a Victorian prime minister?

Visit grand gardens and country mansions surrounded by rolling parkland. Or drop in on intimate homes with intriguing stories to tell.

Unusual houses and countryside to walk through are yours to enjoy in Oxfordshire.

The home of a famous author, fairytale castles and more await you in and around East Sussex.

Gardens, South Downs countyside and grand houses await you in West Sussex.