Warner Hotels in South East England
The Runnymede on Thames | Sinah Warren | Lakeside | Bembridge Coast | Norton Grange
The perfect mix of seaside towns and historical cathedral cities
The Southeast of England provides delight and wonders for all. From pristine beaches, country parks, botanical gardens, and a host of fantastic attractions - you’ll have plenty to choose from when it comes to keeping you busy. Hayling Island is a must for anyone looking to soak up the rich seaside air with abundant wildlife galore. Chichester, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight will ensure holiday vibes are plenty. Forest of Bere, Hayling Oyster Beds & Langstone Harbour, Farlington Marshes, Mulberry Harbour, and the Millennium Promenade Portsmouth, to name a few, make this region a must for those seeking a Mediterranean climate and overall feel.
Compton Beach
12 min drive from Norton Grange / 46 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO30 4HF
Compton Beach stretches over two miles flanked by sandstone cliffs in a patchwork of colours and ends with Freshwater’s famous white chalk cliffs. The steps to the beach are a little steep, but the chance to take a guided walk through actual dinosaur footprints might just be worth the trek.
Sandown Beach
10 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 39 min drive from Norton Grange PO36 8AT
One of the isle’s most popular tourist resorts, Sandown features miles of golden sands and a pleasure pier full of traditional arcade games, ice cream vendors, and the sound of the waves lapping gently beneath the wooden boardwalk.
Cowes Old Town
33 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 27 min drive from Norton Grange PO31 7DF
Home to Queen Victoria’s seaside residence Osborne House, Cowes is a bustling town centre filled with independent shops, cafés, and restaurants (and more than a few classic British pubs). East Cowes is accessible via a unique chain ferry, while the museums and galleries offer a glimpse into the island’s history.
Shanklin Old Village & Chine
19 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 42 min drive from Norton Grange PO37 6BW
The leafy valley of Shanklin Chine, with its winding riverside walk and aviary, is hidden away behind thatched roofs, boutique gift shops and family-run tea rooms in the hilly Shanklin Old Village, one of the Isle’s oldest settlements.
The Needles
14 min drive from Norton Grange / 58 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO30 0JH
Don't miss The Needles Old Battery Victorian Fort and New Battery rocket testing station. Both of these National Trust Properties sit high above the Needles, providing a birds-eye view of the Solent and unspoilt countryside.
Perhaps the most postcard-friendly picture on the Isle of Wight, the chalky outcrop is just the tip of the iceberg for this iconic landmark. There’s also a chairlift ride with panoramic views of the area, glass makers, sweet makers, and a sand shop.
Freshwater Bay
8 min drive from Norton Grange / 44 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO40 9RA
West Wight’s famous pebbly beach might be a bit unsteady underfoot, but daily guided tours of the old pirate caves bring alive the unique history of the Isle of Wight like nowhere else. There’s also a range of cafes, bars, and tea rooms to enjoy while you’re there.
Ryde Beach and Seafront
18 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 38 min drive from Norton Grange PO33 1JA
Picture a traditional pleasure beach – that’s exactly what you’ll find at Ryde. Soft sand, a boating lake with swan pedalos, a classic amusement arcade and, of course, good old fish and chips, all with a panoramic view of Portsmouth.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
24 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 28 min drive from Norton Grange PO33 4DS
Travel back in time to the sights, sounds and smells of steam trains on the Isle of Wight. From tank engines to larger, tender locomotives, the 10-mile round trip across the island stops at three stations along the way, one of which also features a bird of prey sanctuary.
West Wittering Beach
38 min drive from Lakeside and Sinah Warren, PO20 8AJ
Situated at the entrance to Chichester Harbour, this large beach holds the Blue Flag award for cleanliness and safety and is ideal for a traditional day on the sand. In winter months the walks around the sand dunes of East Head are a welcome escape back to nature.
Southsea Seafront
27 min drive from Lakeside and 30 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO5 3PB
Less than a mile from Portsmouth city centre, this mainly shingle beach is home to Southsea Pier, winner of ‘Pier of the Year’ 2018. Restored to its former glory, this iconic structure has been featured in an eclectic mix of media, from The Who’s ‘Tommy’ to Mr. Bean.
Millennium Promenade Portsmouth
26 min drive from Lakeside and 28 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO5 3AA
A celebration of Portsmouth’s rich history, three kilometres of promenade link all the points of interest on the waterfront. Built at the turn of the millennium, the route is indicated by a chain motif set into the surface to symbolise the historic chain that was tightened across the harbour entrance.
Emsworth
18 min drive from Lakeside and 22 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO10 8BP
The coastal village of Emsworth features narrow streets lined with Georgian houses, walled gardens, a mill pond, and spectacular views across the water of Chichester Harbour. The antique dealers and independent food shops give it a delightful old-world charm.
Chichester
27 min drive from Lakeside and 29 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO19 1HS
The cathedral city of Chichester dates back to Roman times and boasts nearby beaches, shopping, and historic tours. We recommend West Dean Gardens, a restored garden with working Victorian glasshouses, a 300-foot pergola, a spring garden and occasional fibreglass ‘surreal’ trees.
Mulberry Harbour
10 min drive from Lakeside and walking distance from Sinah Warren
A piece of WWII history that can be seen from the Sinah shoreline, Mulberry Harbours were developed by the United Kingdom to land troops and supplies en masse without the need for a port. In Langstone Harbour are the remains of a Phoenix Caisson (type C).
Hayling Billy Trail
8 min drive from Lakeside and 5 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO11 0EH
An easy five-mile return walk that follows the old Hayling Billy railway line past Langstone Harbour, home to a wealth of seabirds and waders. Crucially, there are pubs at both ends of this scenic walkway, the Ship Inn at Emsworth and several on Station Road nearer Langstone.
Hayling Beach
8 min drive from Lakeside and 4 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO11 0AS
3 miles of sandy and shingle beach facing out into the Solent that has won both the European Blue Flag and the Keep Britain Tidy award, Hayling Beach benefits from sea breezes which keep the temperature just about perfect most of the year round.
Hayling Oyster Beds & Langstone Harbour
10 min drive from Lakeside and 12 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO11 0LG
Oysters were farmed on Hayling from 1819 up until the 1970s, and in 1996 they were restored to create a haven for wildlife. Langstone is home to around 25 harbour seals, and on rare occasions, bottlenose dolphins and otters have been seen in its waters.
Farlington Marshes
16 min drive from Lakeside and 19 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO6 1SR
Unusually for a seaside area, Farlington Marshes is better in winter than in summer. A huge number of migratory wildfowl descend on the area. The easy 4km circular walk around the marshes is mostly on the sea wall. Keep an eye out for short-eared owls and peregrine falcons.
Quarr Abbey
24 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 33 min drive from Norton Grange PO33 4ES
Surrounded by woodlands, coastline and formal gardens, this working Benedictine abbey is built on the site of the original Quarr Abbey, whose 14th-century ruins still stand within its grounds. Quarr also boasts an orchard of over 200 fruit trees and a traditional tea room for visitors.
Mottistone Gardens & Estate
16 min drive from Norton Grange / 40 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO30 4EA
Nestled in the rolling downs, Mottistone Gardens are home to a millennia of history that includes a legendary 4m-high sandstone pillar, supposedly thrown by St Catherine in a wager with the devil himself. The estate is set on a 6,000-year-old Neolithic long barrow.
Godshill Village
24 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 31 min drive from Norton Grange PO38 3LD
Established in 1952, Godshill Model Village recreates island life in intricately detailed miniature – and the full-size village isn’t bad either. The medieval church is home to one of only two lily crucifix paintings in Europe, and the thatched roofs of the high street sit over classic tea rooms and gift shops.
West Wight Alpacas
32 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 40 min drive from Norton Grange PO38 1UL
Ventnor is protected from cold northerly winds, resulting in a Mediterranean microclimate in the heart of the Isle of Wight. The garden is home to a wide range of subtropical plant life that won’t grow anywhere else in the UK, scuttling wall lizards, secret passageways and an underground mushroom vault.
Ventnor Botanical Gardens
32 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 40 min drive from Norton Grange PO38 1UL
Ventnor is protected from cold northerly winds, resulting in a Mediterranean microclimate in the heart of the Isle of Wight. The garden is home to a wide range of subtropical plant life that won’t grow anywhere else in the UK, scuttling wall lizards, secret passageways and an underground mushroom vault.
Hayling Ferry to Portsmouth
11 min drive from Lakeside and walking distance from Sinah Warren, PO9 2RL
It’s an easy drive to Portsmouth from Hayling Island, but for a taste of sea life nothing beats the ‘Pride of Hayling’ foot ferry. It only takes 3 minutes and the feel of the ocean breeze on your face is a delight.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
27 min drive from Lakeside and 29 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO8 0QE
Bigger than the island of Gibraltar, the local council has invested over £2m in improving this pristine parkland over the last two years. The many walks and cycleways are slightly hilly but lovely in good weather, and the new visitors centre restaurant is ideal for a cuppa afterwards.
Staunton Country Park
17 min drive from Lakeside and 20 min drive from Sinah Warren, PO9 5HB
A listed landscaped parkland and forest that also includes an ornamental farm, ornamental lake, follies, maze, glasshouses and walled garden. The shell house is a particular highlight, built in 1828 and covered in shells from Hayling Island. The park also has 3 walking trails for various abilities.
Forest of Bere
37 min drive from Lakeside and Sinah Warren, PO17 6JB
Home to a mixture of woodland, heathland, farmland and open space, the Forest of Bere has walking and cycling routes for a range of abilities. Although the paths are usually fine we recommend taking your wellies, just in case.