South West England Destination Guide Introduction
England’s stunning South West stretches from Gloucestershire all the way to Cornwall and is bursting at the seams with exhilarating activities, heritage sites, awe inspiring historic buildings, unique attractions, stunning scenery, gastronomic delights, exciting events and much more. We hope that you find something of interest and we have a team of people ready to help you plan destinations and itineraries. South West England
Encompassing vibrant cities, stunning coastlines and beautiful countryside, the South West of England reaches from Gloucestershire – The Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean – to Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Easily accessible, South West England can be reached by major international airports including Birmingham International (55 miles / 88 kms from Gloucestershire) and London Heathrow (66 miles / 106 kms from Swindon in Wiltshire). The region’s regional airports offer over 120 inbound destinations, with Bristol Airport being the largest. Along with Exeter, Newquay and Bournemouth Airport’s, they allow visitors to reach their final destinations faster, and with a much faster airside to kerbside experience! Bath
One of England’s most beautiful cities, Bath boasts a stylish and creative city centre where you can shop, as well as relax and unwind. It’s also dripping in history which greets you at every turn. Jane Austen was one of Bath’s famous residents and the city now houses a permanent exhibition in her name. Bath is also home to the American Museum in Britain with its Amish Quilt collection, ancient maps and exclusive artefacts. The stunning Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths are also of significance. For those seeking a little relaxation, the Thermae Spa is Britain’s original thermal spa; enjoy the natural waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2000 years ago. Bristol
Bristol is bursting with 1,000 years of heritage yet has a dynamic contemporary culture, voted the best place to live in Britain and celebrates its status as the European Green Capital in 2015, the only British city to receive the accolade. A major creative centre, it is home to the multi award winning Aardman Animations and birthplace of Cary Grant, as well as the oldest continually working theatre in the world, the Bristol Old Vic which celebrates its 250th birthday in 2016 and is home to the world famous theatre school. Bristol has historical connections with the USA and Australia from the Berkeley and Penn family to the construction of Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Devon
Visit Devon and you’ll never find an area more spectacular or diverse. Along coastline, this area boasts some of the best seafood, as well as Devonshire Cream Teas. The English Riviera town of Torbay is famous for its red sandstone cliffs and exotic cabbage palms. Here you will find the birthplace of Agatha Christie who was born here in 1890. Kents Cavern is an important Stone Age site where a number of Monty Python’s Flying Circus sketches were filmed, and was inspiration for the TV series Fawlty Towers. The dramatic Dartmoor landscape inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write his most highly acclaimed Sherlock Holmes novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Cornwall
A popular destination for holidaymakers, Cornwall has a great deal to offer. Its dramatic coastline and quaint fishing harbours offer the ideal outdoor activity holiday. Enjoy cycling, walking, surfing and even crabbing. The Eden Project has the largest indoor rainforest in the world and offers everything from workshops and art courses. For garden fanatics, the Lost Gardens of Heligan are also a great place to visit. Padstow is also home to Rick Stein offering the chance to indulge in some world class seafood. Renowned for the traditional Cornish Pasty, a staple for the workers in the 18th Century, Cornwall also boasts a number of celebrity chefs and in turn is a real foodies heaven! Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly are like nowhere else in England. Located 28 miles / 45 kms off the coast of Cornwall, the islands are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with deserted white sand beaches, spectacular walks, amazing wildlife and the very best local food and drink, including its own vineyards. Access the islands by taking a short plane journey from Exeter, Newquay or Land’s End, or the Ferry from Penzance. The islands are also blessed with history and heritage with several maritime shipwrecks around the coastlines, along with Bronze Age burial chambers dating back 3,000 years. Somerset
Somerset is the perfect region to relax and and unwind. The town of Glastonbury is famous for its connections to the Holy Grail and King Arthur. Climb the Tor for magnificent views across the Mendip Hills. Visit Glastonbury Abbey, believed to be the oldest above ground Christian Church in the World. The Glastonbury Festival is one of the largest and longest running festivals of contemporary performing arts. Dating back to the 1970s, the festival still retains its original hippy ethos with the dedicated Green Fields. Home to Cheddar Cheese, Cheddar Gorge and its caves are a stunning area to explore. Visit the small City of Wells and its Cathedral, indulging in some traditional Somerset Cider. Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a must for activity and adventure seeking explorers. Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, cycle tracks, zip-wire and kayaking to name a few. Discover the Sculpture Trail, one of the many walks through the Forest and canoe at Symonds Yat, spot the nesting Peregrines and explore the caves from 12000 years ago. Enjoy outdoor attractions such as the magical Puzzlewood, where Star Wars: “Episode VII The Force Awakens” and “The Huntsman” have recently been filmed; and take a ride on the Perrygrove Steam Railway. Wiltshire
Wiltshire has a strong connection with the past making it a great place to enjoy the present. The stone circle at Stonehenge is one of the most famous sites in the world and is believed to have evolved between 3,000BC and 1,600BC. Explore the surrounding Neolithic houses. Visit some of the quintessentially English stately homes and country gardens to visit in Wiltshire such as Longleat and Bowood, Great Chalfield Manor, Lacock Abbey and Stourhead. Enjoy charming market towns of Malmesbury, Bradford on Avon and Corsham and visit Salisbury Cathedral to view the best preserved Magna Carta. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds region is famous for its quaint honey-coloured limestone villages in rural settings and is an an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its regency town of Cheltenham Spa hosts many festivals of Literature, Jazz, Music, Arts, Folk and horseracing. Gloucester is home to the Kingsholm Stadium of Rugby and the Norman Cathedral dating back to 679, made famous in the Harry Potter movies. Its Docks are Britain’s most inland port and these days are alive with bustling restaurants and bars. Discover local arts & craft in many of the market towns such as Cirencester and Tewkesbury; visit Berkeley Castle - thought to be the murder scene of Edward II - and stroll through Westonbirt Arboretum. Dorset
Dorset is blessed with some of the most dramatic coastlines in Britain, and its UNESCO Jurassic Coast is England's first natural World Heritage Site. Covering 95 miles of coastline from East Devon to Dorset, it displays 185 million years of the Earth's history. Discover a century of history at Corfe Castle. With fallen walls and secret places, there are tales of treachery and treason around every corner. Highcliffe Castle is a magnificent Grade 1 Listed 1830s mansion built by Lord Stuart de Rothesay, Highcliffe. Its cliff-top grounds allow wonderful views of Dorset’s coastline looking over to the Isle of Wight, provide access to the beach and to the Christchurch Coastal Path. South West England Themes
Over the next few months, the South West Tourism Growth Fund will be developing a series of themed itineraries covering:
• Culture & Cultural Activities: history, heritage, legends & creative art. • Urban/Trendy & City Breaks: food, festivals, events, entertainment • Adventure/Adrenaline Sports: rambling, water sports, cycling • Film & TV: film sets and inspiration heritage • Inspiration: contemporary, wellness & wellbeing, gardens. Insert text
Images courtesy of: VisitEngland, Destination Bristol, Contact: South West Tourism Growth Fund Wyedean Tourism, Visit Plymouth, VisitEngland, London SW1P 3BT VisitWiltshire, VisitBath, Marketing Gloucester, VisitDorset, Phil Nicholls, [email protected] IT-Paul Box, Nick Turner, Iain Price, Iain Lewis, Adam Gibbard