Explore South East England

Hailed as the sunniest region of England, the South East region stretches from historic Kent in the east, across the South Coast through Sussex to the New Forest in Hampshire and north through the counties of Surrey, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The capital city of London, royal town of Windsor, historic Oxford, hip Brighton and beach-loving Bournemouth are among the most popular places to visit in England, blending festivals, culture, history and breathtaking scenery.

Our Tour Highlights

London & Greenwich

One of the world’s truly great cities, London has something for everyone and there’s never been a better time to explore the UK’s much-loved capital with world famous sights such as Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. ...more

Oxford and beyond

Honey-gold buildings, dreaming spires and a riverside setting are just part of Oxford’s unique charm. Renowned the world over as the home of one of the oldest and most highly revered academic establishments. ...more

Turrets, Castles & Royal Heritage

Home to England’s monarchy for centuries, it is not surprising that the South East region boasts a high concentration of grand residences with past and present royal connections. ...more

South East Coastal Splendour – White Cliffs, Battles & Beaches

From the iconic White Cliffs of Dover to monumental battle sites that wrote English history, medieval villages, quintessential coastal towns, vibrant seaside resorts and palatial architectural gems. ...more

Performance Venue Highlights

Actors Church, Covent Garden, London

Located in the vibrant Covent Garden area in London’s West End, renowned for its luxury stores and award-winning theatres, the Parish Church, St Paul’s, is also affectionately known as The Actors’ Church’ because of the long association with the theatre community. Primarily a place of worship but also host to a wide variety of theatre, memorial services and concerts, totalling almost 300 events annually.

Perfect for: Choirs, Bands, Orchestras
Repertoire: Mixed
Performance times: On request

The Scoop and Hay’s Galleria, London Bridge City

Located between the historic London and Tower Bridges on the southbank of the River Thames, the Scoop is an outdoor amphitheatre located underneath City Hall which is a haven for all genres of performance art. Hay’s Galleria, modelled on Milan’s chic Galleria on the Piazza del Duomo, is a contemporary and airy space with a constant buzz from the surrounding boutiques and cafés.

Perfect for: Choirs, Bands, Orchestras
Repertoire: Mixed
Performance times: On request

Southwark Cathedral, London

Located on the south bank of the River Thames, Southwark Cathedral is an Anglican Cathedral at the heart of a changing and thriving community. Singing and music has been part of daily worship at Southwark Cathedral for hundreds of years and this religious site has survived some of the most turbulent periods of London’s history over the last few centuries including two Great Fires and a World War.

Perfect for: Choirs
Repertoire: Sacred, Classical
Performance times: Music recitals on Tuesday afternoons during term time and evensong participation on Wednesdays and Saturdays and during holiday periods, the Cathedral welcomes visiting choirs to sing daily services. For a very special concert experience, the cathedral can be hired for an evening concert.

University Church of St Mary The Virgin, Oxford

One of the many renowned city spires, this beautiful church standing in the heart of Oxford, is a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive place of worship in the liberal catholic tradition and a magnificent setting for a very special concert experience. The spiritual heart of the oldest university in Britain, the University Church offers daily services, events and thought-provoking workshops where music lies at the very heart.

Perfect for: Choirs and Orchestras
Repertoire: Sacred, Classical
Performance times: On request for lunchtime and evening concerts

Cogges Manor Farm, Oxfordshire

Cogges Manor Farm is the film location for Downton Abbey’s Yew Tree Farm where Mr Drewe, the tenant farmer, lived and worked. At the heart of the farm is a 13th Century manor house surrounded by 17th Century Cotswold stone farm buildings. Numerous events take place throughout the year including a Christmas Market, Beer and Cider Festival and Music Festival where visiting musicians are made very welcome.

Perfect for: Choirs and Bands
Repertoire: Mixed
Performance times: As per event calendar or on request

Royal Park Bandstands, London

The Royal Parks of London, owned by the British monarchy, cover an expanse of over 5000 acres and bring with it a haven of tranquility and beauty from busy London life. Five of the eight parks have the added benefit of active bandstands, Hyde Park, Greenwich Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park and a temporary summer bandstand at St James's Park which lies next to Buckingham Palace and is home to resident pelicans!

Perfect for: Bands
Repertoire: Mixed
Performance times: Lunchtimes throughout the summer months

Canterbury Cathedral

The skyline of this historic university city is dominated by the oldest cathedral in England. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has been the seat of the spiritual head of the Church of England, the Archbishop, for nearly five centuries. This architectural wonder houses many stunning features, including a Romanesque crypt, medieval stained-glass windows and the shrine of Thomas Becket.

Perfect for: Choirs
Repertoire: Sacred
Performance times: Midday a capella recitals. During holiday periods, the Cathedral welcomes visiting choirs to sing services.

Rye Jazz & Blues Festival, East Sussex

Perched on a hill, the medieval town of Rye is a hidden gem with its cobbled streets and narrow passages revealing architectural treasures among beautifully preserved Medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings. It is also a haven for the arts with a very successful Jazz and Blues Festival which attracts headline artists to perform at St Mary's Church alongside free outdoor music events.

Perfect for: All music ensembles (subject to audition)
Repertoire: Mixed but Jazz, Blues, Roots, RnB, Soul, Cuban, Latin and Funk genres
Performance times: During the festival over August Bank Holiday weekend

Brighton Bandstand

A beautiful and truly unique concert venue overlooking Brighton Beach. The Bandstand is located on Brighton's vibrant seafront and first opened in 1884. It was restored to its original specification and reopened in 2009 having undergone a major restoration project to return the building to its Victorian splendour. The ornate architecture is magnificently detailed and is an idyllic spot for a summer concert.

Perfect for: Bands, A Capella Choirs
Repertoire: Mixed
Performance times: Sunday afternoons throughout the summer months

Where To Stay

*official star rating

Novotel London West

Contemporary hotel located in cosmopolitan Hammersmith within minutes of the London Underground.
Contemporary rooms equipped equipped with Wi-fi, TV, iron, hairdryer, mini-bar and tea & coffee making facilities
Hotel facilities include a bar and two restaurants

*official star rating

 Park Plaza London Riverbank

Scenic location on the south side of the River Thames, opposite the Tate Britain art gallery, and offers stunning views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye
Rooms equipped with with state-of-the-art facilities including Wi-fi, TV, telephone, mini-bar, tea & coffee making facilities, plus movie & music channels on demand
Hotel facilities include a bar and restaurant

*official star rating

Beaumont Estate, Windsor

Historic Beaumont Estate with 40 acres of landscaped grounds lying on the outskirts of picturesque Old Windsor with elegant fountains and a Victorian chapel
Spacious, refurbished rooms equipped with TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities
Hotel facilities include a large restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool and gym

*official star rating

Best Western Burlington Hotel, Folkestone, Kent

Refurbished Victorian hotel located close to Folkestone seafront overlooking the English Channel
Contemporary, refurbished rooms equipped with equipped with Wi-fi, TV, iron, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities
Hotel facilities include two bars and a restaurant

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is for guidance only and will be tailored to meet your exact tour requirements. The excursions and concerts featured below will be subject to your chosen tour dates, availability and budget. Please get in touch to discuss your potential tour in more detail and other opportunities available to your group!

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Day 1	Travel to your destination from your chosen collection point	Welcome drink at the hotel and time at leisure	Group evening meal at the hotel and time to socialise!
Day 2	Day excursion to London to see the sights!	Lunchtime concert in Southwark Cathedral OR outdoor concert in a Royal Park of London	Evening meal in central London and visit to see one of the many wonderful shows at a London theatre
Day 3	Take a trip to Hampton Court Palace	Afternoon at leisure on London’s Southbank with a concert at a London bridge venue	Evening meal in central London and potential evening concert
Day 4	Visit historic Hastings and Battle Abbey where the 1066 battle was fought!	Afternoon excursion to medieval Rye with potential concert opportunity at the medieval St Mary’s Church.	Evening meal at the hotel
Day 5	Day excursion to Oxford to explore this beautiful university city and follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter	Lunchtime recital at the University Church. Optional afternoon excursion to Blenheim Palace with informal garden concert	Evening meal at the hotel and potential evening concert
Day 6	Day excursion to The Garden of England Kent with a visit to a historic castle	Informal concert in castle grounds	Farewell meal in local restaurant
Day 7	Optional morning excursion	Onward journey home