Covering
the counties of Kent, Surrey, East & West Sussex, Hampshire, the
Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. Separated
from mainland Europe by a relatively short channel crossing, the southern
counties were an obvious point of entry for the early invaders. Kent is
especially rich in heritage, from Roman villas to Norman castles, from Saxon
churches to medieval cathedrals, and much more in the lush countryside of
the 'Garden of England'. Stretching from west to east across the most southerly
counties, the diverse landscape includes heathland, woodlands and coastal
cliffs. The North Downs provides various features through Kent and Surrey,
the long and winding South Downs Way starts from the notorious Beachy Head
in East Sussex and meanders westwards, and The New Forest is a splendid
area covering some 150 square miles of Hampshire. This ancient Royal Hunting
Ground, established by William the Conqueror, is still used by the 'commoners'
to graze their cattle, pigs and horses. The three northerly counties of
this region may not hold such a vast amount of historical monuments as their
neighbours, but what are accessible are quite breathtaking for their richness,
and royal associations. |
