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
Experience life at sea aboard Brunel’s ss Great Britain
One of the world's most important ships brought to life for modern-day visitors.
Location: Bristol
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
Relax in Thermae Bath Spa’s open air rooftop pool
Float in the open air rooftop pool at Britain’s only natural mineral-rich thermal spa and soak up the spectacular views over Bath.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Rainy Day Activities: Find out what lies beneath Exeter
Escape the rain to explore Exeter’s Underground Passages and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum - ideal indoor attractions for a drizzly day.
Location: Exeter, Devon
Discover 2,000 years of history for free on a guided tour
Discover one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in England on a free Red Coat Guided Tour.
Location: Exeter, Devon
Visit a movie star house
Discover Bathsheba's 'Everdene Farm' from Far From the Madding Crowd in Dorset.
Location: Beaminster, Dorset
Peel away the layers of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Trace a history that goes back millions of years as you meander Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast, England’s first UNESCO Natural World Heritage site.
Location: Dorset
Discover Dorset’s Myths and Legends
Tour the many landmarks, dotted along Dorset’s beautiful coast and countryside, and uncover their fascinating tales.
Location: Dorset
Walk in the footsteps of Romans at Chedworth Roman Villa
Discover 4th-century Roman England at Chedworth.
Location: Fossebridge, Gloucestershire
Relax in style at England’s oldest hotel
Enjoy a stay at this historic hotel on the edge of the Cotswolds, which has been welcoming guests since 1220.
Location: Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Visit the impressive Nunney Castle
Step back in time and experience life as it was at this moated, 14th-century castle.
Location: Nunney, Somerset
Step into the St Mary Redcliffe
Standing for over 800 years , St Mary Redcliffe Church was described Queen Elizabeth I as 'The goodliest, fairest and most famous parish church in England'.
Location: Bristol
Rainy Day Activities: Try a Tipple at Plymouth Gin Distillery
At one of Plymouth's oldest indoor attractions, see first hand how Plymouth's unique smooth gin is made.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
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
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
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
Travel back through the centuries on a coastal break in Dorset
Explore Dorset’s eclectic range of castles, country houses and forts and journey back in time on a steam train.
Location: Dorset
Explore the myths and mysteries of Stonehenge
To really take in the prehistoric wonder of Stonehenge, hop on board one of Salisbury’s Magical History Tours.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
Relax in the famous Hole in the Wall Pub
Kick back in the inspiration for the Spyglass Tavern where Long John Silver meets protagonist of Treasure Island, Jim Hawkins.
Location: Bristol
Step into a Jane Austen novel at Hartland Abbey
Visit the historic house and filming locations of classic TV adaptations of Jane Austen and Rosamunde Pilcher novels, and step into the romance.
Location: Hartland, North Devon
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
