The Southern and South-Eastern corner of England has a wide variety of cities, all packed with history and easily reached from London’s airports and the Channel ferry ports and tunnel. Night-life and shopping – particularly in cities such as Brighton and Canterbury -- are two more reasons to plan a short break, while Chichester and Royal Tunbridge Wells offer a more peaceful sophistication. Guildford, Salisbury and Winchester – once the capital of England -- are three more lovely destinations for a city sojourn. Wherever you choose, you are never far from the pastoral countryside that has inspired artists and writers for centuries.

Brighton, the “city by the sea”, has a bohemian buzz, attracting a young, cool crowd with a lively scene and hectic nightlife. It's an action packed resort although its elegant white Georgian buildings and the oriental-style Royal Pavilion, built as an exotic holiday home for the Prince Regent, provide plenty of history, too. Top shopping areas divide between the Lanes area for handcrafted jewellery and antiques; the funkier North Laine area for vintage 1960s clothes, shoes and bric-a-brac shops; and East Street for upmarket UK designer chains like Space NK and Hobbs.

The resort has the greatest concentration of bars and restaurants in the South-East. Hotel du Vin attracts a sophisticated crowd, Koba and the Funky Buddha Lounge are the town's best pre-club bars. Restaurant One Paston Place has received a special award for its cooking in the Good Food Guide 2005. There is an all-year-round programme of events which includes arts and gay pride festivals, carnivals and New Year extravaganzas.

The cathedral dominates Canterbury's atmosphere with various surrounding attractions, such as The Canterbury Tales, based on Chaucer’s medieval comedy, bringing the city's rich history to life using sound and visual techniques.

Medieval style pubs serve real ales, such as the Miller's Arms and The Olde Beverlie. Lively wine bars – including Alberry's, which occasionally hosts live music - and atmospheric tea rooms such as the medieval Weaver's House are among a wide range of dining choices encompassing everything from Thai to ‘fish and chips’. Shopping is a mix of old-world bookshops, Fenwick's Dept store and the newly opened Whitefriars shopping precinct.

You'll find many of the city's centrally located hotels and B&Bs with modern amenities in period properties - so expect atmospheric four poster beds, walled gardens and lots of oak beams.

Canterbury Cathedral
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The six-month long, theatre based Chichester Festival Season (mid-April to September 2005) is one of the highlights of this elegant Sussex city’s year. One of the most fashionable horse-racing events of the English ‘season’ – Glorious Goodwood at nearby Goodwood Park race course (July 26-30) also helps to make it a favourite short break destination.

Year-round draws include the shoreside walks around the harbour and the city streets lined with traditional English shops, centring on the compact central area of Market Cross. For men, The Savoy Taylor's Guild offers key classic British looks, while Duffer -- a younger more street funky UK label -- is nearby, as is Whittard's, offering speciality teas and food gifts.

Accommodation standards are high among the city's family run hotels and upmarket B&Bs, with the majority within easy walking distance of the shops and restaurants.

England's capital in Anglo-Saxon times and reputedly home to King Arthur's Round Table, Winchester begs visitors not to rush but take their time and explore every inch of its distinguished and varied sights. When you need to take a break from the city's past, there are four different shopping areas to explore. Parchment Street is best for unusual boutiques and galleries; The Square showcases the cream of UK design labels; while at Brooks Shopping Centre and High Street check out the UK’s favourite chain stores.

Hotels range from smart old town inns like the Wykeham Arms -- with two famous bars – to the 23- room Hotel du Vin & Bistro, where each room's stylish interior has been sponsored by a well-known wine company. There are even cottage B&Bs with thatched roofs, too.

Just 30 minutes by train from London, Guildford has kept its feel of rural escape helped by its attractive narrow lanes and restored waterways. It has much to offer visitors including a magnificent cathedral, Great Tower and museum. It is a lively cultural centre boasting two theatres, art galleries as well as a professional orchestra.

An excellent range of shops can be found behind the traditional frontages of historic buildings and the cobbled High Street is criss-crossed by lanes and alleyways with a great selection of designer stores, cafés and restaurants.

Salisbury is an eminently walkable city: visitors have been attracted by its cathedral and close for nearly 800 years. Entering the city for the first time, the view is breathtaking, with the 123m high spire dominating the skyline. Family run B&Bs and city centre hotels provide a variety of places to stay.

Salisbury has many unusual antique, independent craft and gift shops for browsing while the covered Old George Mall is home to stylish fashion retailers. The Haunch of Venison is a historic inn, one of many full of atmosphere. The city's biggest event is the two-week Salisbury Festival starting in late May. Four miles to the west is the Wilton Shopping Village, in a splendid riverside setting, with factory outlet shops selling clothes, shoes and homewares at discount prices, as well as the famous Wilton carpets. Just over the road is Wilton House with a world-famous collection of art. The world-heritage site of Stonehenge, just ten miles away, is not to be missed.

Once a favourite destination of royalty who came to ‘take the spa waters’, Royal Tunbridge Wells still retains its Georgian elegance. Sip locally produced English wine or sample locally grown produce at one of the many high quality eateries including the Bistro at the popular Hotel du Vin, Michelin-starred Thackeray’s and Raymond Blanc’s Le Petit Brasserie. Choose from a series of self-guided two-day breaks on various themes including Great Gardens and Antiques Shopping - Royal Tunbridge Wells has a large number of short break choices.

Stroll and shop along the Pantiles - a colonnaded shop-filled walkway – and the old High Street, both especially good for small specialist boutiques and designer shops, antiques, cafés and bars. Royal Victoria Place has more than 100 shops, including most high street names and Fenwicks department store. Regular walking tours are on offer from the tourist information centre on the Pantiles, while the Kentish countryside, dotted with distinctive conical ‘oast houses’, is a short drive away.

Website for further information: http://www.southernenglishcities.com/

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