Landscapes that melt together rambling moors, rolling hills and postcard-shot beaches dotted with medieval market towns and cathedral spires. South West England shouts 'picturesque' from every corner. Hiking and biking trails criss-cross valleys and ridgeways, wind between stone-built villages and traverse towering gorges. Legends of mystical moorland beasts and stone circles lead you through endless Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Foodies should fast well in advance for a gourmet trip stuffed with cream teas, fruity cider and crumbly cheeses.
South West England
Discover The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Explore hidden paths and bamboo tunnels on this aristocratic Cornwall estate.
Location: Heligan, Cornwall
Discover Wiltshire's oldest White Horse chalk carving
Enjoy an undulating walk to the Westbury White Horse, whilst being presented with fabulous views of the Wiltshire countryside.
Location: Westbury, Wiltshire
Walk and picnic amongst the prehistoric landscape at Avebury
Step into the largest stone circle in the world, standing for over 4500 years, and the site of a host of archaeological excavations.
Location: Marlborough, Wiltshire
Spend a day exploring the sights of Tisbury
With art and beauty steeped in history, Tisbury is an excellent base from which to explore Wiltshire’s countryside.
Location: Tisbury, Wiltshire
Recreate film scenes at Stourhead gardens
See the changing colours on a visit to breath-taking Stourhead, where you can see the beauty of nature through the seasons.
Location: Mere, Wiltshire
Spot Poldark at Chavenage House
Come and see 'Trenwith', the Poldark family home, actually 'played' by Chavenage House in Tetbury and you may spot Aiden Turner as Ross Poldark!
Location: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Plan an extravagant getaway to Bovey Castle
Indulge in a extravagant getaway to a chic and welcoming castle perfectly positioned in Dartmoor National Park.
Location: Dartmoor, Devon
Alice in Wonderland at Antony House
Just over the Tamar, Antony House was the location for the hit 'Alice in Wonderland' 2010. Here you can explore its formal gardens, sculptures and the National Collection of Daylilies.
Location: Torpoint, Cornwall
Find romance in the depths of Thomas Hardy Country
Enjoy woodland walks and cosy inns, and immerse yourself in the romantic landscape that this renowned writer called home.
Location: Dorset
Have yourself a Famous Five adventure
Follow in the footsteps of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five with some castle capers and a seaside adventure by steam railway.
Location: Corfe Castle, Dorset
Head to Lanhydrock for a splendid woodland picnic
Head to finest house in Cornwall for a relaxing picnic with magnificent panoramic views and 900 acres of parkland and woodland.
Location: Bodmin, Cornwall
Take a walk through history in Cranborne
Explore the landscape of Cranborne Chase which inspired the father of modern archaeology, William Fox Pitt.
Location: Cranborne, Dorset
Visit a movie star house
Discover Bathsheba's 'Everdene Farm' from Far From the Madding Crowd in Dorset.
Location: Beaminster, Dorset
A botanical treasure trove on the Jurassic Coast
Sniff your way around the award-winning Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, a coastal haven filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world.
Location: Abbotsbury, Dorset
Explore the UK's first safari park at Longleat
Feed giraffes by hand and walk on the wildside with lemurs at this popular safari park, found in the picturesque grounds of historic Longleat House.
Location: Longleat, Wiltshire
Walk in the footsteps of Romans at Chedworth Roman Villa
Discover 4th-century Roman England at Chedworth.
Location: Fossebridge, Gloucestershire
Explore the rooms and grounds of Snowshill Manor
From suits of Samurai armour to antique bicycles of all shapes and sizes, there are about 22,000 reasons to take a nose round Snowshill Manor.
Location: Snowshill, Gloucestershire
Sleep in a royal bed at Thornbury Castle
Get treated like royalty at Thornbury Castle, where its opulent bedchambers, award-winning food and picturesque gardens will bring out your regal side.
Location: Thornbury, South Gloucestershire
Discover all the treasures of Bowood
Explore the historic parklands at Bowood, and uncover a laboratory, a spa, and even a round of golf.
Location: Calne, Wiltshire
Visit one of Capability Brown’s finest landscapes
Celebrate Capability Brown’s tercentenary as you explore 42 acres of Sherborne Castle's beautiful gardens and soak up the beauty, peace and tranquility of this natural setting.
Location: Sherborne, Dorset
