With so many great beaches, the south east offers some of the best waters for windsurfers. There are many sheltered spots like the Solent, along the South Hampshire, Sussex and Kent coastlines, ideal for beginners, plus some more open waters for the more experienced. Many resorts offer windsurfing schools for beginners, with equipment and wet suit hire to get you on the water for the first time.

The south east has hundreds of miles of fabulous coastline, perfect for getting out on the water. The prevailing south-westerly winds create some excellent conditions for sailing. For dinghy sailing there are many sheltered spots like The Solent and along the South Hampshire, Sussex and Kent coastlines, and plenty of sailing clubs that will help you get started. For larger yachts, there a numerous harbours, inlets and estuaries for over-nighting, some great bays and beaches for anchoring for a day, and some great sailing conditions. Cowes, on The Isle of Wight, also sees the largest annual sailing event in the world.

The south east has some reasonable surfing beaches in the region. The south coast relies on channel swells that are south to west in direction and are most consistent from September through to November. The Thanet region of Kent is unique in that it has beaches that face north east and south and due to its geographical location can pick up North Sea swells as well as channel swells. There are some places where you can join surf schools, for a short course in the basics of how to ride the waves. And if you are new to the sport, you can try it out quite cheaply with surf-board and wet-suit hire available in most surf centres.

Across the south east there are many opportunities to climb, abseil and go caving. The New Forest, Isle of Wight and the coastline of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent offer some outstanding climbing locations and experienced rock climbers can often be found tackling the dramatic sea cliffs. If you haven’t tried it before, tuition is vital. There are many specialists across the south east who can get you started, and train you to tackle some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

Golf is well catered for across the south east with hundreds of courses across the region. There are many internationally renowned courses like Woburn, Wentworth and The Oxfordshire, as well as many regional and local courses where you can pay and play. Many hotels cater for golfing weekends for individuals or groups, some with tuition included. So weather you are serious about lowering your handicap or simply want to swing a club at the driving range there are plenty of locations to choose from.

The south east offers challenges and pleasures for all types of fisherman, with an array of rivers, estuaries, lakes and reservoirs. You can take day fishing trips from many of the south east's coastal resorts along the south coasts of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent, especially for mackerel in the summer, and you’ll find many people spending long nights fishing off the beaches trying to hook a large sea bass.

The south east offers some superb opportunities for walkers. The south coast of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent have miles of superb coastal walking, whilst the Isle of Wight alone has over 500 miles of paths. There’s the New Forest, the South Downs, the Chilterns and paths along many of the canals and waterways across the region. A network of long-distance paths criss-crosses the countryside, creating a unique variety of exceptional walking. You may want to tackle a long trek or just a leisurely stroll. Many routes are suitable for wheelchairs, buggies and pushchairs and are extremely child-friendly.

Theatre is unrivalled in the south east. London has world standard theatre, both in the West End and on the South Bank. And if you search closely, you will find a myriad of smaller theatres offering a huge range of performances, such as the Elgiva in Chesham. Regionally there are also many venues including theatres in Newbury, Guildford, and Milton Keynes offering a varied program of events.

Boating in the south east is a pleasure, with hundreds of miles of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent coastline to enjoy. The region offers many opportunities for getting out onto the water, whether it’s dinghies, yachts, canoes, jet skis or motor boats. But the south east also has many inland waterways that help to shape the landscape. The rivers and canals that meander through stretches of Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London, include the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Grand Union Canal and of course the River Thames. Many of these waterways are popular for boating holidays.

The south east has lots to offer cyclists, with terrain to suit all ages and abilities – on woodland trails, riverside tracks and many awe-inspiring coastal routes. The New Forest in Hampshire is popular with families and offers large stretches of fairly flat cycling through breathtaking countryside. While the National Cycle Network offers miles of cycle routes on quiet country lanes and traffic-free paths. Or you can take cylce tours around many of the south east’s towns and cities – what a great way to get about in London!

With its varied landscapes, the south east offers great opportunities for bird-watching. From rugged coastal cliffs to rolling farmland and muddy estuaries, you will have opportunities to see many of the country’s bird species. In the winter, the stunning wetlands attract teeming thousands of water birds. In summer, you can experience the beautiful song of skylarks, the eerie churring of nightjars on the heathlands and the noisy bustle of seabird colonies along the coastline of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent.

Horse riding in the south east is a great way to enjoy the beautiful open spaces and unspoilt countryside. There are routes and riding centers across the region to suit all abilities. In Buckinghamshire you can gallop across the Chilterns or meander the New Forest on uncrowded bridleways. The Cotswolds in Oxfordshire offers many wooded bridleways and hilltop trails. You can also ride many of the coastal paths of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent or even ride through some of the parks in the centre of London. Whether taking your own horse or looking for a day’s adventure on horseback from one of the many riding centers, horseback is a great way to explore the south east.

The south east has many heritage attractions, including Windsor Castle in Royal Berkshire, an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and The Tower of London. With many Cathedrals across the region like Canterbury, St Pauls in London and the more modern Guildford Cathedral, and numerous Abbeys and ancient churches, castles, hill forts and historic houses from medieval to more modern times, there are plenty of places to visit.

Much of the South East is geared up to meet your entertainment needs. Many of the region’s larger cities have theatres, cinemas, night clubs, ice rinks and sports complexes. Brighton has a lively nightlife, with a reputation for good night clubs. London tops the bill with entertainment on a scale like no other city, with and endless selection of clubs, theatres, comedy clubs, opera, music, galleries and sport. The beaches and coastline provide much natural entertainment, as well as a series of special events that go on throughout the year.

The south east has plenty of great clubs to choose from with true hotspots being Brighton and London, boasting dozens of venues. There’s indie, hip hop, acid jazz and world music in the mix, but it’s all-night dance music raves on Fridays and Saturdays that are the lifeblood of the bigger venues. Fabric continues to boast the most sensational line-ups in the capital or for some celeb watching try Mahiki. Concord 2 is Brighton’s premier live music venue and club and plays host to some big names as well as new local talent.

Hang gliding, Parascending and Paragliding in the south east allows you to soar above the stunning countryside or coastline with a wonderful freedom. Many sites offer self launching with easy flying and landings, and across the region there are companies that offer flexible courses tailored to suit the individual, whether a beginner or the more experienced.

With swimming pools in many of the towns, cities and holiday resorts, there is always a pool nearby your stay in the South East. Summer sea temperatures on the Hampshire, Sussex and Kent coast are conducive to getting water borne, and many of the beaches have marked areas for swimmers.

Traditional country pubs, gastro pubs or contemporary city centre bars, the South East has much to offer for a long lunchtime drink in a pub garden, or a more lively night out. Many of the country pubs offer extensive food menus, as well as specialist beers from small regional breweries.

Every chef will tell you that gourmet food starts with good quality, fresh ingredients. It is no wonder that with fresh produce markets across the South East, the region has many of the biggest names in food. London has many top restaurants and Michelin stars, as well as a broad selection of Gastro pubs and hundreds of ethnic restaurants – in London you can enjoy food in any style from all around the world. Outside of London there is also a huge selection of great places to eat.

Many of the hotels and resorts across the south east offer extensive spa and therapeutic treatments for their guests. Couple that with the many stunning locations that the properties enjoy and it is clear that the region really can offer you a great place of escape for some pampering, rest and relaxation.

The south east has gardens across the region that offer visitors a rich variety of types, including landscape gardens, formal gardens, woodland gardens, cottage gardens and historic gardens in stately homes, palaces and castles. The gardens of the region have something to offer for every season of the year. Be it the kaleidoscope of colour in summer or the fiery reds, tawny browns and rich chestnut leaves of autumn. There are many gardens to visit across the region, including some which have world famous attractions and plant collections, for example at Kew and RHS Wisley.

The south east offers a wealth of opportunities for scuba diving. There are great sea diving waters off the coasts of Hampshire, Sussex and Kent, with a vast number of reefs and wrecks to explore all along the coastline. Schools and clubs also offer supervised dives and tuition in numerous pools and lakes all across the region. For the novice and experienced diver alike – come and explore the wonderful, underwater world of the south east!

On Quad bikes you can race through woods, streams, bogs, quarries, fields and in some places some really steep terrain. And if you get a moment to look up, you can see some of the South East’s wonderful views! Quad biking is a fantastic fun filled, exhilarating sport with high speeds and great jumps. Many places, under qualified instruction, will let you try a half day taster or go for a full day-long ride.

If you are looking to experience some of the more traditional field sports, then there are many specialists across the South East who can help. Many venues can offer you some unrivalled experiences, and many others can offer you the chance to try out some new activities, under qualified guidance and tuition.