Discover colourful carnivals, dramatic jousting, arts, comedy, and some great free family fun days out across South East England this May half term. The Spring Bank holiday weekend also means you'll find an ever-growing number of events and activities for all ages, to get you out and about making the most of the long weekend. Whether you live here or are just in the region for a day out or enjoying a weekend away, take a look and discover what's on this half term holidays.
Find something near you to enjoy in our featured list below from value-added activities to family-friendly events. Whether you are looking for something to do over half term in Hampshire or along the South Coast, in the Surrey countryside, or planning on touring around the destination, use the links above to search what's on or head to the bottom of the page for a full listing of events across the South East over the half term holidays.
Planning a May half-term holiday? Discover great value accommodation across the South East for a spring getaway. You can also search by destinations to link up with the local offical tourism websites across the region. Our newsletter archive and YouTube channel is also a great place to discover things to do in South East England.
May half term runs from Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June across South East England and includes the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 27th May. This is the last of the three bank holidays in the UK in May. The May holidays generally bring brighter longer days, more consistent weather and see the South East welcoming a host of music events and food festivals, outdoor trails and evening events to keep everybody thoroughly entertained.
Find hundreds more events and things to do in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset this May Half Term holiday and Spring Bank holiday in our guide below. Whether you're looking for something near you, or if you are travelling to a part of South East England for a short break or day trip, use the 'map view' button to find something local.
Number of results: 154
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Exhibition
Woodstock
Get ready for a special treat at Britain's Greatest Palace as we prepare for our blockbuster exhibition in March 2024.
Walking
Hastings
Have fun (re-)discovering Hastings, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst exploring this historic seaside town.
Curious About Hastings…
Virtual Event
Southsea
The D-Day Story has teamed up with a host of partner organisations around the country to bring together 80 fascinating objects relating to D-Day. Every day in the run up to the 80th anniversary we will be sharing one of the items on our social…
Arts
Haywards Heath
The Sussex Guild is delighted to be adding a new venue to our events schedule this year on 1 and 2 June. Ardingly College will host Sussex Guild makers in the light and airy buildings of the Chapel, the Old Dining Hall and studio in its famed 19th…
Gardens
Chiddingfold
Ramster Garden in Chiddingfold will be transformed with an array of stunning sculptures this spring by the Surrey Sculpture Society from 3rd May to 2nd June 2024. The sculpture trail will be held within the enchanting woodland garden, making it an…
Guided Walk
Broadway, Winchester
Join one of Winchester's professional guides for a 90 minute walking tour, starting at Winchester Visitor Information Centre. The tour visits Abbey Gardens before passing the City Mill and following the River Itchen to College Street. It then…
Walking
Sun Street, Canterbury
Have fun (re-)discovering Canterbury, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air.
Curious About Canterbury visits not just the obvious places, but…
Music
Fawley, Henley-on-Thames
Fleur pays homage to the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, with a programme of Ella's most famous hits from 'Summertime' to 'It don't mean a thing'.
Heritage & History
Winchester
Commemorating 100 years since the opening of Winchester College's tranquil private war memorial, these thought-provoking tours bring to life the stories of the pupils and teachers from Winchester who died in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts,…
Food
Dorking
The Vineyard Tour…
Enjoy a glass of Denbies Sparkling Wine as you are taken through the vineyard to the highest viewpoint on this informative tour. Denbies Award winning Sparkling wine is made from carefully selected handpicked grapes on the…
Walking
Town Quay, Southampton
Have fun (re-)discovering Southampton, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a safe, fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst discovering more about this fascinating and…
Food
Reading
Available from 12 - 14pm at The Reading Room, Roseate Hotel in Reading, this exquisite seven-course tasting menu is a highlight of the a la carte menu, with the choice of accompanying wine flight and tea pairing. With both vegan and vegetarian…
Walking
North Wessex Downs AONB
Save the Date for the 2024 North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Walking Festival.
Explore the Big Chalk with 9 days of walks to suit all ages and abilities.
Full programme to follow
Walking
Alton
Alton is a vibrant Walkers are Welcome Hampshire town which truly has community spirit at its heart. Situated at the source of the River Wey and enjoying a stunning rural backdrop at the gateway of the South Downs National Park, Alton is known by…
Exhibitions
Silk Street, Aylesbury
This March, the house reopens with a new exhibition Guercino at Waddesdon: King David and the Wise Women, spotlighting one of the great painters of 17th-century Italy, Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino (1591-1666).
In this historic…
Festival
Holmer Green
Now on its 24th year, our annual Beer & Music Festival is a great community afternoon for all the family.
The event sees over 1500 people in attendance throughout the day and has something for all the family to enjoy.
For the children there will…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Haywards Heath
Immerse yourself in nature, enhance your well-being with our calming forest bathing half-days. Reconnect and unwind amidst the tranquility of our forest bathing workshops, inspired by the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku. Led by Swedish teacher Helena…
Festival
Nutley
A wild weekend family adventure, packed full of music, sports, nature and the arts, all set in the heart of the beautiful Sussex countryside
Walking
High Street, Rochester
Have fun (re-)discovering Rochester, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst discovering more about this fascinating town.
Curious About…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Horsham
3-5 & 24-26 May | Doors open 18:00 | Last entry 20:00
Bask in live music as the sun sets over our vibrant spring gardens with our exciting series of late-night openings.
BACK for 2024 after a sell-out first year!
Explore our 240-acre estate,…