Student guide to South East England: top 10 things to do

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Whether you’re planning to study in London, or fancy being within easy reach of the capital without living there, South East England is known for world-class universities. It’s also bursting with history, culture and nightlife. Read on for our top things for students to do in South East England.

1) Oxford University and City Walking Tour

Good for: Discovering the history of this prestigious university.

What it is: A guided tour of Oxford and its colleges.

Why you should go: Whether or not you’re a student in Oxford, a walking tour around the city and university buildings is the perfect way to appreciate this historic location. By wandering cobbled streets you’ll see the most famous buildings in the city and discover the hidden pathways that connect them. Many tours are run by University alumni, so you’ll hear first hand accounts of the Oxford student experience, as well as learning all about the history of the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Plus, you’ll visit filming locations from Harry Potter!

2) Museum of Rural English Life

The Museum of English Rural Life, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Good for: Learning more about British heritage.

What it is: A free museum about the English countryside and people who’ve lived there.

Why you should go: You might have come across one of many chaotic tweets by this museum that have gone viral in the past few years. Along with great PR, the Museum of Rural English Life is one of Reading’s most popular attractions and it’s free to enter. You’ll discover the history of the English countryside through objects and displays about farming, craft, fashion and folklore, and all about the people who have lived in rural England. After exploring the museum’s nine galleries, you’re sure to come away thinking about rural living in a whole different light.

3) Junkyard Golf Oxford

Good for: Chaos, booze and golf.

What it is: A crazy golf course made from reclaimed objects.

Why you should go: Loud music and flashing lights set the scene as you putt your way through holes that get more and more bizarre. Think circus freaks, jungle glitter temples, UFC bear cages and a UV disco room. Found in Oxford’s Westgate Shopping Centre, there’s three courses to pick from, and everything is made from pre-loved bits and bobs that’ve been turned into something weird and wonderful. Also on offer are plenty of mad cocktails, pizza and nachos to keep you going. Crazy golf has never been more crazy.

4) Bring and Mix

Good for: A unique cocktail experience.

What it is: A bar with a twist, where you bring the booze.

Why you should go: This Southampton bar does exactly what it says on the tin. Bring a few bottles of your favourite spirits and the talented staff will mix them up to create new concoctions, right at your table. With no menus in sight and a selection of fresh fruit and veg juices, syrups, herbs, spices, bitters and jams, you’ll be amazed what they come up with. And the stunning decor will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to the roaring twenties.

5) CLF Art Cafe

Good for: Partying at the city's best raves and music events.

What it is: One of the leading creative arts centres in London.

Why you should go: Known as the Pride of Peckham, the CLF Art Cafe has five floors of art, music, film, theatre and everything in between. There’s an ever-changing calendar of legendary events, from an Alice In Wonderland Themed Forest to an awesome 3D visually immersive show. There are also inhouse weekly fixtures, including underground raves and the world’s biggest soul night where you’ll dance away to funk, disco and Motown. The roof is home to a chic lounge and terrace, with food, cocktails and live music, so no matter what kind of night you’re looking for, the CLF is definitely somewhere to check out.

6) Kennet and Avon Canal in Reading

Good for: Summer picnics.

What it is: An 87 mile-long canal.

Why you should go: This lengthy canal links London to the Bristol Channel, and has loads of stunning walks through the incredible southern English landscape. It ends in Reading, where it sweeps through the town centre. Take a stroll along the water and you’ll find plenty of pretty, grassy areas to stop for a picnic and look out for local wildlife. There’s also a self guided heritage walk that takes in the canal, where you’ll see Reading Gaol (where Oscar Wilde was locked up), Chocolate Island and the Abbey Ruins.

7) Victoria and Albert Museum

Good for: Marvelling at some creativity.

What it is: One of the biggest art and design museums in the world.

Why you should go: This free museum is home to more than 2.8 million creative objects from the last 5,000 years. The list of items is endless, and covers pretty much everything, including fashion, books, architecture, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, ceramics, theatre…and loads more. Highlights include the Cast Courts, where you’ll see a copy of Michelangelo’s David, and Tippo’s Tiger – a piece of Indian furniture which shows a Western man being mauled by a tiger. The V&A has top temporary exhibitions to explore too, so you'll definitely be coming back for more.

8) London’s West End

Good for: Watching amazing shows.

What it is: A world-famous theatre district.

Why you should go: If you’ve got just the slightest interest in theatre, you need to pay the West End a visit at least once during your studies. There are 39 theatres to pick from, showing the best plays and musical theatre in the world. Some theatres have an ever-changing programme of shows, and others a regular programme (St. Martins Theatre has performed The Mousetrap for over 70 years). Catch internationally loved shows like The Lion King, Les Mis, Wicked or Mamma Mia!, and there are half price booths on every street to snap up some last-minute deals.

9) Pitt Rivers Museum

Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Good for: Discovering fascinating objects from across the globe.

What it is: Anthropology and archaeology museum in Oxford.

Why you should go: You can’t help but be amazed when you step into this treasure trove of captivating curiosities. From weapons to fashion, musical instruments to technology and a huge totem pole, the objects take you on an incredible journey of human lives in all corners of the globe. It’s literally jam packed, with three floors of items displayed in glass cabinets, crammed into drawers and hanging from the ceiling. Many of the objects highlight Britain’s colonial past so it’s a controversial place. You’ll see new labels amongst the old, as the museum is trying to become more welcoming and contextualise its past.

10) Greenwich Market

Good for: Arts, crafts and tasty treats.

What it is: A diverse indoor market.

Why you should go: This colourful market is many Londoners favourite and is open daily in Greenwich. It’s close to 300 years old, and has grown from selling fruit and veg to an amazing variety of art, antiques, fashion, jewellery and handmade gifts. If you’re there on a weekend you can browse the Saturday vintage market and farmers market on Sundays. Although the best day to visit is Friday, as you’ll get the biggest selection of arts, food and antiques. No matter what day you go, end it by picking up something delicious from the international street food on offer, or relax in the pretty vintage tea hut.

Key info about South East England

Institutions in this region come highly regarded. The University of Oxford comes out on top in the Complete University Guide’s 2023 rankings, with an amazing overall score of 100%.

As England’s capital, London is well known as a great place to study. There’s a huge number of libraries to aid your studies, as well as plenty of networking opportunities for making contacts in your chosen field. If you’re not keen on London, studying anywhere else in South East England will still provide you with excellent connections and opportunities, either near the unis or by making a quick trip to the capital.

The region also claims to have the most sun out of anywhere in the UK, perfect for those lazy summer days in between lectures.

Thinking about studying in South East England but not sure what city you might want to live in? Check out our city guides to the region to learn more about the cities you could live in.

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