What to do and see in South East England, England: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

September 13, 2021 Darwin Bolte

Discover the best top things to do in South East England, United Kingdom including Abbotts View AlpacasAbbotts View Farm, Kent Owl Academy, Wytham Woods, Upton House & Gardens, The Common, The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Tilgate Park, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Kingley Vale, Lower Leas Coastal Park.
Restaurants in South East England

1. Abbotts View AlpacasAbbotts View Farm

Abbotts View Farm Moat Lane Aston Abbotts, Aylesbury HP22 4NF England +44 7989 063595 [email protected] http://Www.abbottsviewalpacas.co.uk
Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 435 reviews

Abbotts View AlpacasAbbotts View Farm

We are listed as closed everyday as we are open by appointment only (book a slot via our website). Our family run farm is located in glorious Buckinghamshire countryside offering Walks with Alpacas and private Group/Corporate Visits. Come and learn about these wonderfully inquisitive animals and take them for a walk around our 22 acres. Meet our rare breed sheep,pygmy goats, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs and sample some of Jo's famous homemade cakes! Relaxing, peaceful and true escapism. Please note that as we are not an open farm visits are only by private booking only.

Reviewed By TSTB06

We had a fantastic, memorable family experience here! The session was very well organised and managed, the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable, the animals were all well cared for and loved, and there were lovely extra touches such as the tea and cake, feeding the other animals as well as the alpacas, and the sweet little shop of souvenirs! The booking system was straightforward and effective, with clear information on what to expect and how to come prepared, as well as reminders running up to the event. We would definitely recommend the experience!

2. Kent Owl Academy

Lock Lane Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3AU England +44 7535 471588 [email protected] http://www.kentowlacademy.com/
Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 195 reviews

Kent Owl Academy

The Kent Owl Academy is a family run business, situated within the confines of 'Kent Life' in Maidstone. Providing Experience days, School visits, Visits to Brownies and other organisations, Photography workshops, Corporate events and TV/Film/Media work and much more! Get up close and personal with owls and exotic animals!

Reviewed By GibsonsNZ

My son undertook the Junior Keeper Experience today and totally loved it! The staff we so friendly and informative, and we were made so welcome. The animals are so well cared for and are absolutely beautiful. The Academy is set in the Kent Life Museum which is brilliant to visit too. Great for families. If you’re visiting Kent, you should totally go. Highly recommend!

3. Wytham Woods

OX2 England +44 1865 726832 http://www.wythamwoods.ox.ac.uk/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Wytham Woods

Reviewed By SergeLourie - Richmond-upon-Thames, United Kingdom

Wytham Wood is owned by the University of Oxford and is around five miles from the city centre. It is just by the river Tames and has been studied by Oxford botanists for many years. It appears frequently in fiction especially in the Morse books of Colin Dexter, where bodies are often found in these woods. It is near the village of Wytham and we stayed in the excellent Swinford Manor Farm, which is near the western entrance to the woods, There are a lot of well maked paths and the flora are extremely interesting and attractive. To get access, you need a permit from the University but we found this process easy to undertake. The woods could be incorporated in a longer walk but there is a lot to see including a chalet and the sawmill

4. Upton House & Gardens

Upton House Edge Hill, Banbury OX15 6HT England +44 1295 670266 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/upton-house/
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,197 reviews

Upton House & Gardens

Come and see how Lord & Lady Bearsted made Upton House and Gardens the perfect country retreat for their family in the 1930s. You can also discover Lord Bearsted's famous art collection including works by Bosch, Stubbs and Canaletto. We have a stunning collection of porcelain too; so if you are visiting us for the first time you may wish to expect your visit to the house to last a minimum of an hour. Viewings of the house available by timed ticket from 11:00am with last entry to the house at 15:30 before closing at 16:00; the gardens, shop and cafe close at 17:00. Please bear in mind that the car park is 300 yards from the house.

Reviewed By srablair - Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom

This is a wonderful property with a lot to see so allow plenty of time. We spent around 4 hours here including a nice visit to the cafe. Access to the house is by timed appointment and there is a choice of 3 tours to do at timed appointments too, so I would advise getting these scheduled in As soon as you arrive. There is a large garden to visit with a few surprises along the way and a good kitchen garden which I found inspirational. The house dated back to 17th Century although it was extensively redesigned in 1921. The redesign is interesting in its own right and the main draw is the house contents including spectacular art collection including paintings tapestries and Chinaware. We were interested in the history of the house and it's owners over the years which provide a glimpse into the past. Quite fascinating. There is a temporary natural science exhibition of portraits of scientists and environmental contributors which is very interesting. Is a tribute to the work of people from a range of backgrounds from Darwin to David Attenburgh via Chris Packham and Vivien Westwood!  Nice little exhibition which is worth 20 minutes look if you are here anyway. The cafe was doing a roaring trade and we enjoyed tea/coffee ,scone and jam and very nice shortbread.  We we were pleased to see that the clotted cream for the cream tea was served in a reusable pot which is much more sensible than the standard foil sealed type pot.  Very good visit.

5. The Common

The Avenue, Southampton SO15 7NN England +44 23 8083 3605 http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/visit/your-event-and-promotion-in-the-city/southampton-common
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 406 reviews

The Common

This 327-acre wide-open green space in the heart of Southampton is a designated "Site of Special Scientific Interest" and an excellent venue for picnicking, walking and watching wildlife.

Reviewed By 722megr - Southampton, United Kingdom

How lucky we are that the Council has protected this open space . Best time to walk is early in the morning before the less-careful folks are about. (Covid care)

6. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Lower Winstone Farm St. Johns Road Wroxall, Ventnor PO38 3AA England +44 1983 852693 [email protected] http://www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,881 reviews

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Donkey Sanctuary - providing homes for unwanted and rescued animals. Carrying out educational work with schools and donkey therapy in residential settings.

Reviewed By 888lydiav - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Visited here in April and what a beautiful 50 acres of land with over a hundred donkeys to live in harmony Absolutely recommend to animal lovers and avid walkers as the animals are spread out nicely. Toilets are provided and are clean Cafe provided a wide selection of food and the staff were super friendly All donkeys have name tags and tons of information about their history dotted around the sanctuary.

7. Tilgate Park

Titmus Drive Tilgate, Crawley RH10 5PQ England +44 1293 521168 [email protected] http://www.crawley.gov.uk/tilgatepark
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,335 reviews

Tilgate Park

Reviewed By TravellingGuy35

Amazing place with a great natural vibe, The walled garden is delightful and the children loved playing there... Also some great walking trails Really enjoy it here and visit it often.

8. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Harbour Road Rye Harbour, Rye TN31 7TU England +44 7884 494982 http://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/visit/rye-harbour
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 910 reviews

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

A coastal nature reserve with 5 birdwatching hides and miles of footpaths to explore. Habitats include saltmarsh, shingle, saline lagoons, grazing marsh and reedbed. Visit at any time of year to see a range of birds, plants and other animals, including many that are rare. Find out more by visiting the website. IDEAL FOR VISITING BY TRAIN TO RYE. GREAT PLACE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS AND MOBILITY SCOOTERS. PLEASE VISIT THE FOOD OUTLETS IN RYE HARBOUR VILLAGE.

Reviewed By G8439DSadams - Battle, United Kingdom

I popped into the nature reserve where there is a lovely big free car park it is an excellent Walk Right up to the harbour mouth if you get time pop into the little gift shop reception they are very helpful a lovely day

9. Kingley Vale

Chichester England +44 300 060 6000 http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/27784/kingley-vale
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 300 reviews

Kingley Vale

Reviewed By richardy451 - Maidstone, United Kingdom

A really good hike along the nature trail, passing centuries old trees and a really steep incline which is well worth the effort for the views! We visited during gale force winds and not the best weather but the views were still fantastic and we could see all the way to the Solent.

10. Lower Leas Coastal Park

Lower Sandgate Road, Folkestone CT20 2JP England +44 1303 853685 [email protected] http://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/community/parks-and-open-spaces/lower-leas-coastal-park
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 998 reviews

Lower Leas Coastal Park

New measures have been introduced by Folkestone & Hythe District Council in response to the sheer numbers of people visiting the Lower Leas Coastal Park. These measures include: Banning barbecues in the Coastal Park with immediate effect. BBQ pods have been removed. Refreshing the double yellow lines along Radnor Cliff Road. Installing a lockable barrier on the Coastal Park car park and close this overnight from 8pm - 8am to discourage groups from staying late into the evening. We are unable to release any vehicles over night. Installing additional signage and exploring the use of large electronic signage located at various points in the district/access points to the park areas. Increasing the amount of enforcement and advisory officers to give a higher visual presence. We will be issuing warnings - and potentially fines - to anyone acting in a way that negatively impacts on others.

Reviewed By clottieYorkshire - North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

This park is along the cliff and under cliff of Folkestone and provides a lovely green walk between the town above and the sea below. It is a pretty Victorian experience - an amphitheatre with the sea as a backdrop; attractively planted flower beds; a zig-zag path up the cliff through the the trees to the bandstand on the esplanade above. And all the time, the sea and pebble beaches stretching out to give lovely views. What a treat - and all for free. I wonder if the funicular railway/lift works in the summer to complete the back-in-time experience.

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