Maritime history

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is so packed with sights that you’ll need more than a day to take them all in. The 252-year-old HMS Victory, Nelson’s famous flagship from the Battle of Trafalgar, is docked here along with the Victorian HMS Warrior, the most powerful warship of her day. Henry VIII’s favourite warship the Mary Rose was raised from the seabed in 2013 and is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world. Ride up the nearby Spinnaker Tower to enjoy a high tea or a glass of prosecco up in the clouds, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour.

Castles and romance

England’s story is told through the historic buildings of the South, from Battle Abbey in Sussex on the site of the Battle of Hastings, to beautiful Hever Castle in Kent, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Kent is rich in castles, with medieval fortress Dover Castle keeping watch on the White Cliffs and Leeds Castle, once a Norman stronghold, dreaming over its moat. Further romance can be found in the homes of two quintessentially English writers. Jane Austen’s house is in Chawton, Hampshire, and the thatched cottage where Thomas Hardy was born can be found near Dorchester.