Planning guide for cottage and self-catering holidays in Central South England – search for a cottage to rent, find attractions, activities, places to eat or check on the weather or roads.

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South of England cottage holiday planning guide

When you are planning a cottage holiday in the South of England the following resources may help. These pages will be built so that you'll have all the information you need to support your holiday, including travel and weather information, visitor attractions, activity providers and information about eating out and finding entertainment.

The area is made up of Surrey, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Kent, East & West Sussex and Wiltshire. If you know of or run a site you think we should list in either section, please contact us with details.

Southern England weather

The Met Office provides weather reports for this area, Central Southern England, and these provide a current general forecast, plus five day forecasts for areas within. There is also historical information on past weather patterns to help you plan your holiday.

Travel information for the South West

For up-to-date news about traffic congestion and roadworks try the BBC travel news pages.

Southern England is served by a whole host of airports, the main ones are: Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Luton, Stansted, Southampton and Bournemouth.

For transport to the Isle of Wight Red Funnel has the newest and largest cross-Solent fleet and sail throughout the year between Southampton and West Cowes.

Attractions in South West England

The annual Cowes Week is the world's largest and longest-running sailing regatta, with over 1,000 yachts and 8,000 competitors taking part in some top-class sailing. The event lasts for 8 days and takes place each August in the Solent waters off of Cowes.

The Bluebell Railway, in Sussex, operates the only all steam standard gauge railway in the UK. As well as scheduled passenger steam trains, they run specials like the Golden Arrow Pullman, Thomas the Tank Engine events and Santa Specials, and footplate 'drive the train' courses.

Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, with rides and adventures suitable for all ages, from tiny tots to teens.

With its great mix of rides, models, interactive displays, themed theatres etc. Legoland Windsor, in Berkshire makes an excellent day out.

Adults and teens will have a great time at Thorpe Park in near Chertsey in Surrey, with its wide range of rides and thrills, but they have lots to offer younger visitors and families too.

Ashdown Forest Llama Park in East Sussex – visit the park and meet the herds (Llamas, alpacas, goats and sheep) or even take a walk with the Llamas.

In Sussex, the unique Wilderness Wood, a family-run working woodland, with adventure play areas and woodland trails.

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