Coastline
The sea breeze swishing through your hair, the sensation of wet sand between your toes and the smell of vinegary chips lingering at your nostrils: everyone has vivid memories of their childhood seaside holidays. Relish that nostalgic feeling again but this time add a modern twist. Bumble about on creaky Victorian piers crowned with roller coasters, have a chinwag with a local artist in their seaside studio or lace up your hiking boots for a cliff-top stroll in search of puffins and gannets. Hungry? The freshest seafood and gourmet restaurants await, as do hand-warming portions of fish ‘n’ chips. Start planning your coastal holidays.
Watch Indie A-listers at the End of the Road Festival
The intimate surroundings of the End of the Road Festival give you the chance to get up close and personal with the bands and their music.
Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset
August events: Eat, drink and be merry at the Newlyn Fish Festival
Celebrate the Cornish fishing community’s hard work and delicious produce at the Newlyn Fish Festival.
Location: Newlyn, Cornwall
July events: Penzance Literary Festival
A literary festival on the Cornish coast with a distinctly local flavour and a relaxed atmosphere that’s ideal for book lovers.
Location: Penzance, Cornwall
September events: Sample some fantastic seafood at the Newquay Fish Festival
Feast upon the edible delights that swim Cornwall’s waters as local chefs cook up a treat, right before your eyes, at the Newquay Fish Festival.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
September events: Experience Agatha Christie's Riviera in Devon
Discover Agatha Christie's Riviera and follow in her footsteps by attending her namesake festival, and walking the Agatha Christie Mile in the bustling harbour town of Torquay.
Location: Torquay, Devon
September events: Bournemouth Air Festival
The world's biggest airshow brings together the thrill of gravity-defying plane displays and an abundance of family entertainment on the ground - all for free!
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Stunning sea views and fine wines at a hip Dorset clifftop hotel
Enjoy a romantic summer break to the luxurious Seaside Boarding House in Dorset.
Location: Burton Bradstock, Dorset
All the fun of the fair with Dorset’s summer festivals
Dorset entertains the whole family all summer long hosting an array of amazing events and festivals that are unique, nostalgic or just plain fun!
Location: Dorset
August events: Ooh and aah at the British Firework Championships
This summer, enjoy the British Firework Championships whilst surrounded by wonderful panoramic views of Plymouth Hoe.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
August events: Grab your partner and ceilidh on down to Sidmouth Folk Week
The Regency town of Sidmouth on Devon’s Jurassic Coast celebrates a week of folk music, dance and song every August.
Location: Sidmouth, Devon
Get your ‘blues’ fix at Broadstairs Blues Bash
Aint’ nothin’ but the blues - not the winter ones, but the music type in Broadstairs every February for one weekend.
Location: Broadstairs, Kent
Adventure like the Famous Five in Dorset
Visit the Isle of Purbeck on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, which is said to have inspired Enid Blyton's books.
Location: Purbeck, Dorset
September events: Take the Scilly Sea Swim Challenge
Watch the spectacle or put yourself to the test as challengers swim and walk between Scilly's main islands in just one day.
Location: Isles of Scilly
May events: Learn from food experts at Salcombe Crab Festival
Love seafood? Salcombe’s delicious crab celebration should be right at the top of your things to do in Devon list.
Location: Salcombe, Devon
Hit the beach at Boardmasters Festival
Surf culture meets music festival on the sunny shores of the Cornish coast.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall