Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

12  INTRODUCING ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST

A Week in the the Guard (see p46). Then wander pier before enjoying a lunch of
South East through Trafalgar Square (see fish and chips on the seafront.
p52) into Chinatown. After a dim In the afternoon, head along
• Airports Heathrow is 22 km sum lunch here, visit the National the coast road to Chichester
(14 miles) west of central Gallery (see pp52–3), packed with (see p87), a city dominated by
London, and Gatwick 48 km masterpieces. End the day with its medieval cathedral. Round
(30 miles) south of central supper at the Piazza in Covent off the day with a show at the
London. Both have express Garden (see p53). Chichester Festival Theatre
trains that link with London’s (advance booking required).
Underground network. Day 3: Royal Tunbridge Wells
• Transport A car is necessary Pretty Royal Tunbridge Wells (see Day 6: Portsmouth
to cover most of this tour, p70) has been a fashionable spa A few miles outside Chichester is
but is not recommended for town since the early 17th century. Fishbourne Roman Palace (see
travel in London. Main cities Visit the town’s famous spring p87). The largest surviving Roman
and towns are linked by rail. before exploring the upmarket villa in Britain, it contains exquisite
shops housed in the elegant mosaics. From here, continue
Pantiles promenade. Stop for along the coast to Portsmouth
lunch at Thackeray’s (see p186), (see p94) and explore some of
and then head off on a drive to the city’s famous ships, such as
the lovely Scotney Castle, with HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. For
its picturesque moat. Return to a fantastic view of the harbour,
Tunbridge Wells in the evening. visit the 170-m (558-ft) Spinnaker
Tower (see p94) on the waterfront.
Day 4: Rye and Seven Sisters
Head south through the High To extend your trip…
Weald, an ancient landscape of From Portsmouth, take a car
woodland, to Rye (see pp78–9), ferry to the Isle of Wight (see
once an important medieval p95). Visit Osborne House, the
fortified port. Travel west to the retreat of Queen Victoria, and
site of the Battle of Hastings, admire the multicoloured
close to Battle Abbey (see p80). sands of Alum Bay.
Next, continue along the coast
Tower Bridge, a flamboyant piece of road to Seaford, gateway to
Victorian engineering that opened in 1894 one of the South Coast’s most Day 7: Winchester
stunning viewpoints: along the Jane Austen wrote most of her
Day 1: London chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters novels at her home in Chawton
Start your day at the Tower (see p81). Finish your day at the (see p92), 45 km (28 miles) north
of London (see p61) and enjoy market town of Lewes (see p81). of Portsmouth. The house is now
a tour with a Beefeater. Then a museum, filled with plenty of
walk west to the Monument, Day 5: Brighton and Chichester memorabilia, including a lovely
Sir Christopher Wren’s column Popularized two centuries ago by patchwork quilt Austen made
commemorating the Great Fire the Prince Regent, Brighton (see herself. From here it is a short
of London. Cross London Bridge pp82–3) was one of Britain’s first drive to Winchester (see pp92–3).
for a view of Tower Bridge (see sea-bathing resorts and retains a Step into the Great Hall to see
p61), and forage for lunch at the stylish glamour. Tour the exotic King Arthur’s (alleged) Round
food stalls of Borough Market Royal Pavilion (see pp84–5), and Table, then tour the Norman
(see p193). Spend the afternoon then stroll along the Victorian cathedral and find Austen’s grave.
admiring modern art at Tate
Modern (see p60). Cross the
stunning Millennium Bridge
to see St Paul’s Cathedral (see
pp58–9), and have dinner in the
City before watching a play at
Shakespeare’s Globe (see p60).
Day 2: London
Take a self-guided tour around
Westminster Abbey (see pp50–
51), and stroll through Parliament
Square into serene St James’s
Park. Skirt the lakeside to reach
Horse Guards Parade (see p49),
where mounted sentries trot in
at 11am for the Changing of The Seven Sisters, dramatic chalk cliffs at the mouth of the River Cuckmere, East Sussex
For practical information on travelling around England’s South Coast, see pp208–13

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