Whatever your interests and holiday plans, South West England has something for everyone. A region of contrast, from long sandy beaches to windswept moorland, and buzzing cities to traditional fishing villages. Bristol, Bath, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Bournemouth & Poole as well as the rest of Dorset, The Forest of Dean, Somerset, Salisbury and South Wiltshire and The Cotswolds – each part of the region has its own special character.

With world heritage sites such as Bath, the Jurassic Coast, Stonehenge and the Cornish Tin Mine, plus castles, forts, stately homes and mystical locations, the South West is bursting with history and legend.

Wander through our beautiful and historic gardens such as Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall or Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire – not forgetting of course, the inspriational Eden Project.

Tours may be taken along themes such as ‘myths and legends’ – visit Glastonbury Abbey and Chalice Well in Somerset and Tintagel Castle in Cornwall for a taste of King Arthur’s history, or learn about our maritime history and smugglers and pirates in Bristol. Many literary figures have found inspiration in the South West, from Agatha Christie who made her home in South Devon, to RD Blackmore’s Lorna Doone in the Exmoor Valley.

Walkers will find a diverse range of guided trails on offer, from the rugged beauty of Dartmoor or Exmoor, the tin mines in Cornwall and the enchanting Forest of Dean, to award-winning gardens, and our 630 miles of coastline. Additionally there are National Parks, wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, lakes and rivers all teeming with wildlife waiting to be discovered.

Food is very much a focus of the South West, with the vast range of quality fresh and local produce in the area. Voted Britain’s Food Capital by ‘Food from Britain’, the South West exudes energy and enthusiasm within the food industry. The region has also seen top chef John Burton-Race relocate to Dartmouth in South Devon, while Jamie Oliver recently opened his second Fifteen restaurant at Watergate Bay in Cornwall.

Food celebrations take place throughout the year: Festivals, weekly farmers markets and restaurants give locals and visitors alike the chance to taste the best the South West has to offer and even surprising them with new and innovative choices and cookery courses in many top establishments around the region.

Celebrations include the Exeter Festival of South West England Food and Drink in March, Falmouth Oyster Festival in October and the Great British Cheese Festival held in Cheltenham in September.

South West England is also becoming known as a great destination in which to relax and spoil yourself a little. Unwind in the beautiful Dorset countryside, slow right down on a narrow boat in Wiltshire, or indulge at the new Thermae Bath Spa.

Whether you are looking for long walks, fantastic restaurants, historic landscapes and monuments or adventure, the South West of England is a great destination for groups of all ages.

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