Arts and cultural things to do
If you are looking to experience some of the UK’s best arts and cultural things to do, the South East is packed with top arts and entertainments venues and cultural gems. Here is a selection of ideas for arts and cultural things to do in South East England:
Arts and Culture in Brighton
Brighton & Hove is fast emerging as an artistic and cultural powerhouse in the UK. From the iconic Royal Pavilion to the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and the Theatre Royal Brighton to the Brighton Dome, the city has so much to offer the ‘culture vulture’
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Kingston upon Thames

Kingston has a buzzing arts scene, numerous galleries, live music, and an internationally renowned theatre, Kingston is a hub of creativity. There is something to excite all visitors, through visiting art galleries, or listening to live music to attending one of the many Cultural events.
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Medway, Kent
The art scene is thriving in Medway, offering a bounty of activities and events to keep you entertained and educated, with a local, regional and international focus. Prominent among these is the New Arts Trail in Rochester. Rochester is home to a number of fascinating museums, charming independent shops and galleries and exciting exhibitions, and now, a leaflet has been produced detailing the more than 40 retailers, food outlets and attractions dotting Rochester’s historic High Street. Visit Medway and tour the trail yourself.
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Portsmouth
Discover Portsmouth's wealth of literary connections. Visit the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum, exhibitions ‘A Tale of One City’ and 'A Study in Sherlock: Uncovering the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Collection' at the City Museum, guided walks ‘Highland Rd Cemetery’, ‘Dickens’ or 'Authors of Southsea,' discovering more about the Portsmouth connections of famous authors such as Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling and HG Wells.
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Kings Theatre, Southsea
The Kings Theatre is an Edwardian theatre in the heart of Southsea, Portsmouth, offering a full mix of both professional and amateur shows, including plays, musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy nights, music nights and local productions.
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Modern Art Oxford
Modern Art Oxford is a visual art gallery presenting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Founded in 1965, Modern Art Oxford is one of the most important galleries of modern art, and has a varied programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Many activities, events and workshops are free for visitors, and there is also a cafe and gift shop.
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Watts Gallery, Guildford
Watts Gallery is a national Gallery in the heart of a village and star of BBC Restoration Village. It reopened in 2011 following extensive restoration and houses a collection of works by the eminent Victorian artist George Frederick Watts. It is one of the most beautiful small galleries in Europe and houses a number of special exhibitions throughout the year. Its delightful tea room is the perfect place for lunch or afternoon tea in traditional style, and worth a walk down the lane to the Watts Cemetery Chapel.
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More ideas for arts
and cultural things to do
This selection of arts and cultural attractions has been selected by Tourism South East, to appeal to couples and those wishing to spend quality time together. Visit our Visit South East England website for more ideas for short breaks, days out and things to do across the region. Alternatively, visit our Fun Family Days Out website for ideas for families.







