Eupedia
Eupedia England Guide


South-West England

Cobblestone Tor, Dartmoor National Park (© Moorefam | iStockphoto.com)
Cobblestone Tor, Dartmoor National Park.

Introduction to South-West England

South-West England offers a remarkable blend of natural beauty, rich history, and diverse attractions that make it a compelling destination for visitors.

Natural Landscapes

The region boasts dramatic coastlines with rugged cliffs, golden sandy beaches, and hidden coves that are among the best in the world. From the surfing hotspot of Fistral Beach in Newquay to the vast expanse of sand at Woolacombe, the beaches cater to all preferences. The South West Coast Path extends for 630 miles around the entire coastline, offering spectacular walking opportunities.

Inland, visitors can explore two national parks in Devon alone—Dartmoor and Exmoor—alongside areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty such as the Tamar Valley, Quantock Hills, and Blackdown Hills. The varied terrain ranges from lush green countryside to wild moorland, perfect for outdoor pursuits including hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting.

Historical Significance

The region is steeped in history, featuring:

  • Ancient monuments like Stonehenge, a mysterious stone circle surrounded by history and legends
  • Roman heritage at Bath with its well-preserved Roman Baths
  • Medieval structures including Tintagel Castle, the reputed birthplace of King Arthur
  • The Jurassic Coast, Britain's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, recording 185 million years of Earth's history
  • Numerous castles such as Corfe Castle, Castle Drogo, and historic abbeys like Bath Abbey with its fan-vaulted ceilings

Cultural Attractions

South-West England offers a vibrant cultural scene with:

  • Art galleries and museums including Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden
  • The thriving art scene in Bristol, home to Banksy street art
  • Year-round festivals celebrating music, literature, food, and local produce
  • Charming fishing villages and market towns with distinctive character

Culinary Delights

The region is renowned for its culinary offerings:

  • Fresh seafood restaurants, from Rick Stein's famous establishments in Padstow to Michelin-starred dining
  • Local specialities including cream teas (with regional variations between Devon and Cornwall), pasties, and Stargazy Pie
  • Food festivals celebrating local produce throughout the year

Family-Friendly Activities

The South-West caters well to families with:

  • The Eden Project in Cornwall, home to the world's largest captive rainforest
  • Theme parks, treetop adventure courses, and interactive museums
  • Family-friendly beaches with safe swimming conditions
  • Historical attractions with educational value, such as the Tank Museum with its interactive displays

With its combination of natural beauty, historical significance, cultural richness, and diverse activities, South-West England provides an enriching experience for visitors of all interests and ages.

Attractions

outstanding Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape ※
exceptional Cotswold Way
must-see Jurassic Coast (Dorset and East Devon) ※

Cornwall

Penzance
Minack Theatre, near Penzance (© Jeremyrichards | Dreamstime.com)
outstanding Penzance the last town at the southwesternmost corner of England before Land's End. The rocky coast around Penzance is among the most spectacular in Europe. The dramatically sited Minack Open-Air Theatre is a must-see for anyone who wants to experience a Shakespeare play differently.
Eden Project
Eden Project (photo by Jon - CC BY 2.0 Generic license)
very good Eden Project
Isles of Scilly
Old town beach in St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly (© Stephen Rees | iStockphoto.com)
very good Home to barely 2,000 people, the Isles of Scilly are the southernmost and warmest part of the British Isles. Besides its pleasant microclimate, the archipelago is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has a few Neolithic stone circles.

Lanhydrock House
Lanhydrock Garden & Church (© Darrensharvey | Dreamstime.com)
very good Set in a superb 364-hectare park between, Lanhydrock House is one of the great late-Victorian country houses in England.
Newquay & Trerice
Newquay Harbour (© John Guard | iStockphoto.com)
very good Newquay & Trerice.
St Ives
St Ives from the Malakoff (© Andrew Chambers | iStockphoto.com)
very good The artistic capital of Cornwall, the little seaside town of St Ives attracts an incredible lot of tourists in summer. Home to numerous painters and sculptors in the 1920's and 30's, their works are now displayed in the Tate St Ives, an offshoot of the world-renowed Tate Gallery of London.


St Michael's Mount
The receding tide exposes the causeway to St. Michael’s Mount (© Blackbeck | iStockphoto.com)
very good St Michael's Mount is the little sister of Normandy's world-famous Mont Saint-Michel. It was built by the same monks in the 12th-century.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Lost Gardens of Heligan (photo by Ian Knox - CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic license)
very good The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Mevagissey
Trebah Gardens
Trebah Gardens  (photo by Christopher Hill - CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic license)
very good Trebah Gardens in Falmouth

St Mawes Castle
St Mawes Castle (photo by Ulli1105 - CC BY 3.0 Unported license)
good St Mawes Castle
Tintagel Castle
Tintagel Castle (photo by Lynda Poulter - CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic license)
good Tintagel Castle (ruins)
Truro
Lower Lemon Street, Truro (photo by Simon Lewis - Creative Commons Licence)
good Truro is a pleasant stone village that developed on the tin-mining industry. It is home to the Royal Cornwall Museum, the largest museum in Cornwall.

Other attractions

very good Trebah Gardens, Falmouth

Devon

Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor National Park (© Moorefam | iStockphoto.com)
must-see Dartmoor National Park
Exmoor National Park
An Exmoor pony and Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor National Park (© Acceleratorhams | Dreamstime.com)
outstanding Exmoor National Park
Plymouth
Mayflower at Plymouth Harbour (© Richard Anderson | iStockphoto.com)
very good Plymouth
Torquay, Paignton & Brixham
Replica of Francis Drake's Golden Hind ship, Brixham (© PeskyMonkey | iStockphoto.com)
very good Torquay, Paignton & Brixham
Exeter
Exeter Cathedral (photo by Rüdiger Wölk - Creative Commons Licence)
good Exeter

Other attractions

 good Berry Pomeroy Castle (ruins)
very good RHS Rosemoor Gardens

Dorset

Athelhampton House
Athelhampton House (© Eupedia.com)
very good Athelhampton House
Bournemouth
Seaside at Bournemouth (© Eupedia.com)
very good Bournemouth
Kingston Lacy House
Kingston Lacy House (photo by LordHarris - CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported license)
very good Kingston Lacy House & Garden

Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis Harbour (© Terry Lawrence | iStockphoto.com)
very good Lyme Regis
Weymouth
Aerial view of Chesil Beach, Castletown and Portland Harbour, Weymouth (© Hayden Bird | iStockphoto.com)
very good Weymouth
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle (© Blackbeck | iStockphoto.com)
good Corfe Castle

Other attractions

good Abbotsbury Swannery & Subtropical Gardens
very good Compton Acres, Poole

Gloucestershire

Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle (photo by Philip Halling - CC BY 2.0 Generic license)
outstanding Berkeley Castle
Gloucester
Bell tower, Gloucester Cathedral (© rachel dewis | iStockphoto.com)
good Renowned for its Gothic cathedral, which cloister featured in the Harry Potter films, Gloucester makes a good base for exploring the Forest of Dean, the Cotswolds, and the Malvern Hills.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham
good Cheltenham is a Georgian spa town at the entrance of the Cotswolds. Most visitors come for the Hunt Festival in March or the Music & Cricket Festival in July.

Hidcote Manor Garden
Hidcote Manor Garden (photo by Pradeep Sanders - CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic license)
very good Hidcote Manor Garden
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle (photo by Gordon Robertson - CC BY 2.0 Generic license)
very good Sudeley Castle
Westonbirt Arboretum
Westonbirt Arboretum
very good The National Arboretum, Westonbirt

Other attractions

good Chedworth Roman Villa
very good Slimbridge Wetland Centre
good Snowshill Manor and Garden

Somerset

Bath
Cathedral & Roman Baths, Bath (© Eupedia.com)
must-see Bath
Bristol
Bristol (© Eupedia.com)
outstanding Bristol
Cheddar Caves & Gorge
Cheddar Gorge (© veneratio - Fotolia.com)
outstanding Cheddar Caves & Gorge

Glastonbury
Glastonbury Tor (© Blackbeck | iStockphoto.com)
very good Glastonbury
Hestercombe House & Gardens
Hestercombe House & Gardens (photo by Grahamec - CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported license)
very good Hestercombe House & Gardens
Wells
Bishop's Eye and Pennyless Porch, Wells (photo by Josep Renalias - CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported licence)
very good Wells

Wiltshire

Bowood House & Gardens
Bowood House (photo by Paul Buckingham -  CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic license)
outstanding Bowood House & Gardens
Longleat House & Safari Park
Longleat House (© Matthew Collingwood | Bigstock.com)
outstanding Longleat House & Safari Park
Salisbury
Salisbury Cathedral
outstanding The largest town in Wiltshire, Salisbury has a rich history going back to Celtic times. Its 53m-high cathedral is the tallest in the UK and one of its finest.

Stourhead House & Garden
Stourhead Gardens (© Eupedia.com)
outstanding Stourhead House & Garden
Wilton House
Wilton House (© Eupedia.com)
outstanding Wilton House
Corsham Court
Corsham Court (photo by Rodhullandemu - Creative Commons Licence)
very good Corsham Court

Lacock Abbey
Lacock Abbey (photo by Neosnaps - CC BY 2.0 Generic license)
very good Lacock Abbey
Longford Castle
Longford Castle (photo by Peter - CC BY 2.0 Generic license)
very good Longford Castle
Stonehenge
Stonehenge (© fotoVoyager | iStockphoto.com)
very good Stonehenge

Avebury Stone Circles
Avebury Stone Circles (© Gail Johnson - Fotolia.com)
good Avebury Stone Circles
Old Sarum
Old Sarum (photo by Aurelius99 - CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported license)
good Old Sarum
Old Wardour Castle
Old Wardour Castle (photo by Mike Searle - CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic license)
good Old Wardour Castle


Eupedia's Rating System

Cities, towns, villages & historic buildings

  • very good : Local interest
  • very good : Moderately interesting
  • outstanding : Outstanding place
  • must-see : Must-see in the country
  • best in Europe : Top cities in Europe

Natural attractions

  • : Local interest
  • : Moderately interesting
  • : Highly recommended
  • : World-class natural attraction
  • ※ : UNESCO World Heritage site