Arundel Castle, West Sussex
Dominating the pretty town of Arundel, with its antiques shops, atmospheric old pubs and second-hand bookshops, is this fabulous castle, which stands on a hill overlooking the Arun river.It dates back to the late 11th century and has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk for 850 years. Highlights include the Fitzalan Chapel, a gothic masterpiece with a superb carved-wood roof, and the 40 or so acres of splendid gardens.
Climb the 131 steps up to the castle's keep, and you'll be rewarded with sweeping views of the town, river, rolling South Downs and out to sea.
Chartwell, Westerham, Kent
When he wasn't prosecuting the Second World War or writing Nobel Prize-winning histories, Churchill would relax at Chartwell, his home in Kent - although for him, 'relaxing' often involved prodigious amounts of activity, including building the garden walls.There are lovely rose and water gardens, but the really interesting bits are inside. There's some priceless Churchillian memorabilia, including heartbreaking letters that, as a child, he wrote to his rather distant mother.
Fun discoveries include Churchill's giant walk-in humidor for his massive collection of cigars, and his bedside fridge - presumably for that essential morning glass of champagne.
Chislehurst Caves, Kent
This vast complex of caves has more than 20 miles of passageways, created over the course of 8,000 years to mine chalk - the Saxons, Druids and Romans all got in there with their pick axes.In the 19th century the caves hosted underground concerts, during the First World War they became an ammunitions depot, and until the Second World War, when they became an air raid shelter, they were used for the commercial cultivation of mushrooms.
Discover the caves, and learn more about their history on a lamplit tour. Who'd have thought you could have this much fun in Chislehurst?
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution collection is here too. Stand at the helm and imagine the bravery of those who venture out in all weathers, often at night, to rescue stricken ships.
The Royal Pavilion, Brighton, East Sussex
The fanciful, over-the-top interiors blend Indian, Chinese and Islamic influences, and many of them have been beautifully restored in recent years - the music room has golden scallop-shell shapes on its domed ceiling, and the long gallery is a symphony of blues and pinks.
If you fall in love with the place, you could even have your wedding here...
Dover Castle, Kent
Sitting atop those famous white cliffs that Vera Lynn liked to warble about, this impressive castle is one of the country's biggest. There's been a fort here since the Iron Age, but it was Henry II who made it the colossus it is today.Admiralty Lookout, the centre of defence systems in two World Wars, has had a £1 million refurbishment, and its interactive displays allow you to try Morse code and semaphore, and see how the navy detected enemy ships.
There's a special medieval Siege Experience, and you can also discover the secret wartime tunnels (by guided tour only).
Beth Chatto Gardens, near Colchester, Essex
Beth Chatto and her husband Andrew began transforming six acres of this former fruit farm, with its bogs and gravely soil, in 1960, and their eco-friendly practices have been very influential. Many a gardener has been inspired, for instance, by the drought-resistant Gravel Garden that has never needed to be artificially watered.
In the lush Water Garden, built around natural ponds, there are marshy plants, oaks and ornamental trees.
Colchester Zoo, Essex
This is one of the best zoos in Europe, with world-class collections of big cats and primates, as well as lots of other great stuff.The Aquatic Zone is home to Humboldt penguins and South American sea lions, as well as the very popular Colombian spider monkeys. The Heights Zone has everything from Andean condors to grey wolves - guaranteed to have the kids trying out their best howl - and the Valley Zone has a rare and exquisitely beautiful white tiger.
And as if all that wildlife were not exciting enough, the kids can also let rip in the huge Ark Adventure Play Area.
Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex
The rolling green fields, meandering rivers and soaring chalk cliffs of the South Downs are one of England's bona fide natural wonders, and the Seven Sisters Country Park, at Exceat in East Sussex, is one of the most celebrated stretches, named after seven cliffs that line this heritage coast.It's a wonderful area for mountain biking (you can cycle through Friston Forest and down to the shingle beach) and there are great opportunities for bird-watching and walking. Canoeing is popular too, on the winding river.
Canterbury Cathedral, Kent
This is the daddy of all the Anglican churches, the place where Chaucer's pilgrims were headed as they told their famous Canterbury Tales. It's a World Heritage Site, and even determinedly irreligious types have been known to be moved by its sheer beauty.It was the murder, in 1170, of Archbishop Thomas Becket that caused the place to be a site of pilgrimage, and there's a modern memorial, called The Martyrdom, at the spot where he was slain.
Of all the architectural wonders on show, the stained glass is probably the most celebrated, with many of the spectacular windows dating back to the 12th century.
Images courtesy of www.britainonview.com , David Sellman, Daniel Bosworth, Simon Kreitem
It is still a fantastic place to visit however with the wonderful gardens and the most magnificent views across the Kent Weald to Ashdowne Forest. After this month the house closes for the winter but the car park, garden, restaurant and shop are open all year round. a really great day out and great education for the kids.
The Room Stewards have loads of information on Chartwell and Churchill so its very useful to have a chat to them as you go round.
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