Family Holidays

A day out with the family means a day away from the kitchen. Part of the magic of going out is eating out. All that fresh air and exercise is likely is give you a hearty appetite and you�ll have no problem finding something to satisfy it.

The South East has 350 miles of coastline so seafood should be high on your list of things to eat. Try freshly caught crab on the Isle of Wight or Whitstable's famous oysters. Buy fresh fish from fishing towns like Hastings which has the largest fleet of beach launched boats in Europe. There are some first class fish restaurants or, always popular, the Great British take-away, Fish and Chips. Somehow they taste more delicious if you eat them in the fresh air, drenched with salt and vinegar - everyone should try this at least once, there should be a law! Harry Ramsden�s world famous fish & chips can be found in a number of major towns throughout the region such as Southampton and Reading.

Picnics are always a favourite, bring one with you or fill your picnic basket with local produce from a Farmers� Market. You�ll find tasty cheeses, freshly pressed apple juice, or homebaked cakes. Alternatively combine a visit with a trip to a �pick your own' farm such as Tulleys Farm near Crawley, for fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Pub meals are good value, some welcome children but others may have an age restriction. However, during the summer you could always try to find an available table outside in the beer garden, there is often a play area to keep the children happy.

Visit one of the region�s fantastic vineyards. Denbies Vineyard in Dorking, Surrey, offers a full tour. You get a chance to sample a selection of their famous wines. Children won�t feel left out as they get treated to a glass of special grape juice instead!

Then of course there�s the English Cream Tea and it�s a treat not to be missed. You�ll find tea-rooms all over the region. Some are in surprising locations or in the most unusual, even eccentric buildings.

And don�t forget the ice-cream, it�s guaranteed to keep every-one happy and very, very quiet, even if it is just for a little while

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Things to do

We have so much to do in the South East, we just know we�ve got what it takes to please every member of your family. There really is something for everyone - whether you want to go on two legs or four, on two wheels or more.

A network of scenic footpaths criss-crosses the countryside, creating exceptional routes for walks and picnics. Many routes are suitable for wheelchairs, buggies and push chairs and are extremely child-friendly.

Or you could cycle - hop on your bike and follow a route such as the picturesque Cuckoo Trail through East Sussex or the Meon Valley Off Road Cycle Trail in Hampshire where you won�t have to worry about traffic.

Perhaps you�d like to try horseriding. Saddle up and get a really different view of places such as the New Forest.

Every sort of family fun is here waiting for you, be it crazy golf, boating or go-karting. Ice-skating is fun; see how long you can manage to stay on your feet!

Look skywards. Fly your kite over the Downs or watch the impressive international flying displays over the sea at Eastbourne or at Middle Wallop in Hampshire.

Let the train take the strain and take a trip on the region�s steam railways. Cross Romney Marsh on the world�s smallest public railway, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Or buy a ticket for the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex, which you may recognise from the film The Railway Children. Didcot Railway Centre recreates the golden age of the Great Western, whilst the Watercress Line travels through lovely Hampshire countryside. 'Thomas the Tank Engine' visits Didcot Railway Centre from time to time to see his friends the Great Western engines.

Learn about the region�s colourful maritime history. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to three of the most important warships ever built � Mary Rose, HMS Victory and the HMS Warrior 1860. At Action Stations, you can get a taste of what it is like to be in the modern Navy.

We�ve lots of castles too, each with a different story from England�s history to tell. Try the atmospheric Hever Castle in Kent, home to the unfortunate Anne Boleyn who lost her head to Henry VIII. Or explore the Secret Wartime Tunnels at Dover Castle. In the South East, we bring history to life.

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Days by the sea

Seaside holidays are what childhood memories are all about. And in the South East there is coast to spare. So whether you�re looking for long sandy beaches, sheltered bays or Punch and Judy there�s one thing we can guarantee � unbeatable family fun!

We�ve got soft, golden sands just perfect for building sandcastles. Take a paddle or jump over the waves as they come rolling in. Ride a donkey or try your luck in a penny arcade. Take a stroll down a traditional pier. Then find a deck chair and relax with a nice cool ice-cream.

If you want to go rockpooling, then this is a great area. At St Leonards you can while away the day catching shrimps and crabs, or at Kimmeridge Bay in Dorset you can hunt for fossils and find remains of the days when dinosaurs ruled.

At the eastern tip of Kent and you will find The Isle of Thanet with its three famous resorts, Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. Head west and you�ll find the Isle of Purbeck, with panoramic walks on towering headlands and rewarding glimpses of elusive wildlife such as puffins and peregrines.

In between are lots of pretty little coastal towns and fishing villages like Rye, Emsworth, Hamble, Lymington and Christchurch. Larger resorts, such as Eastbourne and Brighton have managed to retain their original charm. Camber Sands, Poole and Bournemouth have wonderful, award winning beaches.

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