South West England

South West England is a diverse region of beautiful sandy beaches, steep craggy cliffs, desolate moors and rolling green hills. Home of clotted cream teas, it also boasts a range of historical and modern attractions, including the celebrated Eden Project.

The south-west comprises: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset.

What to see in South West England

The West Country is a region of contrasts, with windswept moorlands and dramatic cliffs towering above beautiful sandy beaches. Its bustling cities are a fascinating mix of history and contemporary culture.

With its dramatic cliffs, pounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and beautiful coastline boasting warm waters, soft sandy beaches and small seaside towns, Cornwall is one of England's most popular holiday destinations. The coast is also a surfers’ paradise, while inland, the wild and rugged Bodmin Moor dominates the landscape. 

In Devon, the Dartmoor National Park has sweeping moorland and granite tors where wild ponies roam freely. Much of the countryside is gentle rolling green fields dotted with pretty thatched cottages. The coastline around Torbay is known as the English Riviera, which, due to its temperate climate, allows palm trees to grow. 

Stretching across East Devon and West Dorset is the fossil-ridden Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. West Dorset is also home to Lyme Regis and Weymouth, which comes alive in summer when regular entertainment, including a carnival and fireworks, is held along the seafront. 

Famous for its cider and cheese, Somerset is good walking country, with the Exmoor National Park, which also straddles Devon. Wiltshire's natural attractions include the Marlborough Downs, Savernake Forest and the River Avon. It also boasts one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world, the ancient stone circles of Stonehenge.

Places of interest

• Bath: Roman and modern spas; Fashion Museum housing costumes from the 16th century. Bath Abbey with 212 steps to the top of the tower.
• Bristol: Brunel’s Clifton Suspension bridge; St Nicholas Market and the old city; vibrant harbourside area with bars, restaurants and cultural events.
• Cornwall: historic Tintagel Castle, reputed birthplace of King Arthur; Tate Gallery, St Ives; Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.
• Devon: Exeter Cathedral; World Heritage Jurassic Coast; the granite rocks of Dartmoor; pretty harbours at Clovelly and Ilfracombe.
• Dorset: Monkey World near Wareham; the village of Cerne Abbas, with Cerne Giant. Dorchester, home of Thomas Hardy.
• Somerset: Weston-Super-Mare; Wells Cathedral; Glastonbury; Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole caves.
• Wiltshire: Longleat stately home and safari park; Stourhead House and gardens; the historic market town of Devizes.

Did you know?

• Longleat pioneered the first drive-through safari park outside of Africa in 1966.
• Silbury Hill dates back to around 2,400 BC and is the largest Neolithic mound of its kind in Europe.
• Cornwall has over 300 beaches, including Fistral Beach, a magnet for surfers and the largest in Cornwall.
• Pultney Bridge in Bath is one of only a few bridges in the world with shops built into it.
• Avebury houses the largest stone circle in Europe, believed to be 4,500 years old.