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
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
Explore the resting place of the last of Henry VIII’s six wives
Sudeley Castle’s magnificent gardens are world-renowned, providing variety and colour from spring through to autumn and the grounds are the final resting place of Katherine Parr.
Location: Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
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
Take a tour of Gloucester Cathedral's Gothic Tower
Ancient, spectacular and a beautifully serene place to visit, the Cathedral is one of the most magnificent Gothic buildings in the world.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
From Alice to Potter, scout out Gloucester's famous film locations
Seek out Gloucester’s cathedral and docks to see why the city is becoming such a firm favourite with film and TV producers in Hollywood and the UK.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Discover 2,000 years of history in Gloucester
Roman ruins, an Anglo-Saxon princess, a murdered king's tomb, one of the world's most majestic cathedrals and the UK's best preserved Victorian Docks.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Magic and mystery in the Forest of Dean
Follow in the footsteps of Dr Who, Merlin and Atlantis, explore the Clearwell Caves or ride through the forest on the steam railway.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Walk through history at Berkeley Castle
Walk in the footsteps of Wolf Hall’s real historic characters, and also the actors who went on to play them at Berkeley Castle.
Location: Berkeley, Gloucestershire
September events: Celebrate over 2,000 years of Gloucester’s history
Experience the city’s rich history at the Gloucester History Festival in September with family activities, parades. talks and tours.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Take an enchanting trip on the Dean Forest Railway
Experience the sights, sounds and the smell of traditional train travel on The Dean Forest Railway, a rural branch railway offering rides on steam trains and some heritage diesel services.
Location: Lydney, Gloucestershire
A Tale of Two Gardens and a Lasting Friendship
Experience two world-famous gardens just 6 minutes’ walk from each other - the Arts and Crafts masterpiece Hidcote Manor and historic Kiftsgate Court.
Location: Gloucestershire
Get lost in Gloucestershire's finest gardens
Experience two world-famous gardens just six minutes’ walk from each other - the Arts and Crafts masterpiece Hidcote Manor and historic Kiftsgate Court, created by lifelong friends.
Location: Gloucestershire
Celebrate historic England at Abbey 900 in Cirencester
At Cirencester's year-long festival you can marvel at the Abbey's manuscripts, dance at a May Day Fleece Fair and tuck in at a Medieval Banquet.
Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire