Things to see and do Southeast

Soar high to see Brighton and the beautiful south coast as you glide up to 138 metres in a futuristic-looking glass capsule. Designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye, the tower can accommodate up to 175 visitors. A visualization map is available, a multilingual application can be downloaded and the Sky Bar, nestled in the centre of the gondola, serves drinks throughout the flight. Free exhibition on the construction of the tower and souvenir shop. A must-see during a stay in Brighton!

At the intersection of 5 miles and Banbury Road is the small cemetery of Wolvercote, in the suburbs of Oxford, opened in 1894. This is where the tomb of the famous author of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings is located. J.R.R. Tolkien (Beren) and his wife Edith (Luthien) lie under a modest grave. The author had returned to Oxford to live after his wife's death. A detour to make for Middle-earth fans wanting to pay tribute to him. It is also the only Oxford cemetery with a section dedicated to people of the Catholic faith.

This is the family house of Christopher Lloyd, who devoted his life to the development of his flower gardens. The location is peaceful and seems to be taken out of time. The amateurs will appreciate the places, which each visit allows to maintain.

Six beach offices are located on the island, in Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Yarmouth. Visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk

Start by fortifying yourself at the legendary The Head of the River pub under Folly Bridge. On the terrace, you can watch the rowing competitions, the pub being the finish line. Then take the riverbank and follow the Isis River to the right. Iffley Lock, with its stone bridge and weeping willow, awaits you at the end of the road. The city now seems far away. Continue the walk to charming Iffley Village. En route, you'll come across the famous Isis Farmhouse, one of those "old-fashioned" pubs that are worth their weight in gold. When you reach the village, turn around and return to civilization along the left bank of the river, along Christ Church Meadows.

Discover the flora and fauna of this beautiful coastal nature reserve. Along the paths of the salt marshes, beaches and Camber Castle, you can stop at one of the 5 birdwatching stations and admire the birds in their natural habitat. More than 4,275 species have been recorded in the reserve, over 300 of which are considered rare and endangered in the country. Take a tour of the Discovery Centre to find out more.

Visit South East England invites you to discover all that the South East of England has to offer. If you'd like to delve deeper into your travel plans after reading this Petit Futé, you can delve into the accommodation, dining and activities sections that the region has to offer, according to your type of stay and your desires. You'll also find a complete, up-to-date agenda of all the local events you won't want to miss. The photos posted on social networks will make you dream!

Located in a charming and quiet cobbled street, Merton College was founded in 1264 by Walter de Merton, former Chancellor of England and later Bishop of Rochester. It is one of Oxford's oldest and most important colleges with its medieval buildings and 13th century chapel overlooking nature and the Thames. J.R.R.R. Tolkien was a professor here. Sociologist Theodor Adorno and poet T.S. Eliot also went through Merton College. To discover, a chapel, superb gardens and the library, one of the oldest still in operation.

To make the most of your day at the other end of the island, The Needles, Wight's iconic site with its incredible panorama of three large chalk islets, is also home to numerous attractions for the whole family. You can take the chairlifts to get one of the best views of The Needles and stroll along the beach, or take a boat trip to visit the site. There's also an amusement park with rides, a golf course, a 4D cinema, a candy factory, stores, restaurants and cafés.

How about a walking tour of Canterbury with a local guide? For 1h30, you'll discover the narrow streets of this medieval city and all its secrets. You'll pass some of the most beautiful monuments for which Canterbury is famous, and you'll even have access to the forecourt of the impressive cathedral. Don't hesitate to ask your guide any questions - they're experts! An original tour, led (in English) by enthusiasts. Cantebury Walking Tour also offers themed tours: Canterbury tales, gardens, the Tudors...

Follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria as you discover the Queen's and Prince Albert's favorite vacation spots across the Isle of Wight from Osborne House.

Osborne House, East Cowes, Queen Victoria's vacation home.

Carisbrooke Castle, Newport, residence of Princess Beatrice, the Queen's daughter, from 1912.

St Mildred's Church, East Cowes, Queen Victoria's place of prayer.

Prince Consort Building, Ryde, formerly the Queen's private yacht club.

Newport Minster, Newport, rebuilt at Queen Victoria's request, featuring a marble sculpture of her daughter, Princess Elizabeth.

Fort Victoria Country Park, Yarmouth, created to protect Portsmouth from French invasion.

Shanklin Chine, in Shanklin, opened to the public in 1817, one of the favorite haunts of the young Princess Victoria, who first visited the site with her mother in 1833 at the age of 14.

Ventnor Botanic Garden, in St Lawrence, where a former hospital stood during the Victorian era.

Farringford, Freshwater Bay, a former retreat for a group of Victorian writers, artists and intellectuals, including the poet Lord Tennyson. He was a regular guest at Osbourne House.

Egypt Point, West Cowes, Queen Victoria's favorite panoramic viewpoint.

Northwood House, West Cowes, venue for high society balls and parties attended by Queen Victoria.

Other attractions includeThe Royal Hotel, Blackgang Chine and, of course, The Needles.

It is a true college of excellence where princes William and Harry attended school. With its traditions, imposing buildings and students in costume, Eton College is the most prestigious of the public schools (as its name does not indicate, a private school), founded in 1440 by Henri VI. It is one of four schools in England reserved exclusively for boys. Very expensive, of course. A few steps from Windsor Castle, it is a must-see visit and the second most important attraction in the Windsor area.

The Oxfordshire Museum's permanent collection traces the history of the town and surrounding area, as well as its period crafts. This is a great visit to make with children, who are sure to appreciate the museum's practicality. It's also a good stop-off point for understanding the area before exploring it further, or if you're heading to the Cotswolds afterwards. The museum is housed in a historic mansion, Fletcher's House, and is divided into 10 galleries on a variety of subjects, from local history to art and archaeology.

The estate dates back to 1309, but the present castle took shape in 1688. Charles Seymour, ^6th Duke of Somerset, decided to rebuild the ancestral home of the Percy family, of which he had become master through marriage. The dominant period is the ^17th century, but successive masters of the estate have each made their own mark. The Turner Room, or "The Red Room", is entirely dedicated to the painter who was a regular visitor to Petworth in the 1830s. At the same time, the North Gallery was built, dedicated to Turner, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Fuseli..

Located under the Victorian arches of Brighton station, this museum houses almost 10,000 items related to the world of toys and childhood over more than 4,000^m2. Aimed at toy enthusiasts and younger visitors alike, it features trains dating back to 1860, dioramas and many other objects from Britain, Europe and the USA. It's the ideal activity to do with your children if the weather doesn't allow you to enjoy swimming and the beach.

Inside the museum, you'll find an appreciable variety of collections, from Art Deco and Art Nouveau objects to Spanish, Flemish and English paintings, costumes and archaeological finds. The museum also offers a rich program of temporary exhibitions. To complement the exhibits, interactive screens are installed, attracting the interest of younger visitors.

University College, Oxford, is steeped in history and renowned for its prestigious academic tradition. Founded in 1249, the college has witnessed many remarkable events and personalities over the centuries. The poet Shelley was expelled for atheism. Nevertheless, a statue is dedicated to him today, although a modest veil is drawn over the reason for his expulsion: a pamphlet entitled The Necessity of Atheism. Although the college dates back to 1249, the current buildings were mainly constructed in the ^17th century.