SE of England

How about Dover? The East Lee Guest House is nice. There is the Castle there and if you are interested in World War II, the war tunnels in the cliffs are very interesting.

http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com and http://tinyurl.com/9mmk7s9 websites
should help you decide upon things to see. Are you driving? Traveling by public transport? Time of year?

Many great places to see in the SE, here are some of my favorites:
Hever Castle, Leeds Castle, Dover Castle, Chartwell (Churchill's home), Bateman House (Kipling's home), and Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. Tunbridge Wells is a good central location to stay in if you have a car. You won't have time to see more than 2 or 3 if you use public transportation.

Public transportation

Check out Thurnham Keep B&B just outside Maidstone...one of the finest B&B's we've ever stayed at. Luxurious and only three rooms, so it's quiet. Nearby sites: Leeds Castle - we rented Segways there, a lot of fun; Dover Castle; Canterbury; Rye.

How about basing yourself in Canterbury. Apart from the interesting cathedral/old town itself, Dover is a short train ride away. http://www.visitkent.co.uk/explore/attractions.asp?p1=ca

Canterbury is wonderful! And if it isn't too far west, I recommend Brighton.

Look at Bulltown B&B near Ashford, staying there next May !

I agree with the suggestion of Canterbury as a base. It's a beautiful city. And also, Brighton. It's got some beautiful architecture (Brighton Palace) and is a very up-and-coming place. Hastings is also interesting,if a bit run down. but the castle is good and the fishing boats area is interesting.

If you want somewhere special to stay in Canterbury, how about the Cathedral's hotel? http://canterburycathedrallodge.org/

Brighton looks great. Any quaint B&B & restaurant recommendations?

One of the most atmospheric, historic and small towns in that area is Rye- history and myths of smugglers, hidden passages etc. Loved it. Alo enjoyed the small village of Midhurst further West, the main hotel there (Spread Eagle) has a tradition of hanh=ging christmas puddings from the rafters of the dining room for a year to mature. We stayed in one of the really old parts of the hotel- fantastic

Debbie If you decide on Brighton one restaurant possibility is La Marinade. Not sure I'd describe it as quaint but it is certainly quirky, which is one of Brighton's main characteristics. (The food is also excellent and reasonably priced.) http://www.lamarinade.co.uk/ If you fancy something more traditional and like seafood you might try English's. http://www.englishs.co.uk/#AboutUs If you do decide to come to Brighton but neither appeal then message me with more idea of what you are looking for and I'll suggest somewhere else. In terms of somewhere to stay it might be worth looking at the Market Inn. http://www.visitbrighton.com/accommodation/the-market-inn-p6783 I don't know the rooms but the pub is nice and it is in a great location. Alternatively Kemp Town is a good area to look for places. There are a large number there and it is close both to the sea and the centre. Alan

Canterbury and Dover. Easy train ride from London and between the two cities. I walked from the train station in Canterbury to the sights and took a taxi in Dover to the castle/war tunnels.

We stayed in Rye and did a day trip to Dover, visiting Dover Castle and the wartime tunnels. I would recommend both destinations. That part of England has a lot to offer and is well connected by train.

Lots to see in SE England - one of my favourites is Pevensey with its castle dating back to Roman times - and WWII gun placements built into the Roman walls! Martello towers from the Napoleonic war along the coast, The Cinque Ports (Rye, Winchelsea, Hastings and two others)for smugglers tales and Romney Marsh, Lewes with its castle, the seaside towns of Eastbourne, Bexhill (the great art deco pavillion has recently been refurbished) Rottingdean, Brighton. The white cliffs of Dover are surpassed by the Seven Sisters - on a clear day you should see France. Further west, Arundel with its castle and Penshurst Place. And lots of pubs and b & b's along the way. Inland there are the south downs, Devil's Dyke, The Long Msn of Wilmington - a large figure of man carved into the chalk downs near Lewes. Pubs,and more pubs!