West Country

The West Country enjoys the country’s best weather boasting balmy resorts on the English Riviera, and rugged, windswept surf beaches on the Atlantic Coast, the West Country offers something for everyone. As well as glorious coastline, you will find some of the country’s oldest mythical sites, such as Tintagel and Glastonbury, and to round things off there are grand, ancient cathedral cities such as Bath & Wells.

Take a trip to Lands End in Cornwall and England’s southernmost tip, with its coves, coastal walks and surrounding quaint villages and tea shops. The Cornish north coast boasts great beaches such as Portreath and laid-back party centre Newquay, home to ‘Run to the Sun’ and Britain’s surf capital.

The Devonshire coast has numerous fishing villages, holiday resorts, campsites and popular destinations including Salcombe, Torquay and Paignton. Exeter is a cathedral city in central Devon with a lively arts and cultural scene including theatres, memorial museum and botanical gardens. Nearby attractions include Crealy Adventure Park, paintball skirmish centre and quad biking.

The historic port of Plymouth, is a large naval town with its docks and ferry links to France. To the north is Dartmoor National Park, with some of the wildest countryside, moors, cycle ways and guided walks. Lynton and Lynmouth, the gateway to Exmoor, are a good base to explore the nearby Porlock area with its excellent walks and the pristine thatched National Trust village of Selworthy.

In Somerset the wild expanse of Exmoor, the Quantocks and Mendips, with dramatic Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole caves, present some unspoilt countryside to explore. Somerset is known for its cider, Cheddar cheese and the world famous Glastonbury Festival. The region has beautiful countryside with villages and walks around Bath, the Mendips in Somerset, or the Cotswolds all within easy reach. Head out to the seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare or try the Poets Walk near Clevedon.

Bristol is home to a vibrant music scene and one of the country’s best theatre companies. Nearby Bath is a popular attraction with its Roman Baths, Victorian buildings and Georgian properties, trendy bars and rooftop spa overlooking the city.

In Wiltshire, Salisbury Plain is most famous for ancient Stonehenge still in use by druids today and Avebury Stone Circle near Marlborough. Salisbury itself is still a lively market town with a charming centre, well known for its glorious cathedral.