Why visit South West England?
630 miles of stunning seaside views
Ready to roam? The whole South West region is a haven for hikers, but special mention goes to the spectacular South West Coast Path, a 630-mile waymarked trail that flanks the shores of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.
Speedy strollers can complete the trail in roughly 30 days, but even those without a whole month to spare would do well to select a smaller section for a few hours of rambling along its rugged cliffs and windswept beaches. Have a look at the National Trails’ run-down of the best short linear and circular walks to try if you don’t fancy tackling the whole thing.
Heaps of heritage
This mostly rural region is also full of well-preserved historic attractions – something that hasn’t escaped the notice of UNESCO, who have declared four south-western spots World Heritage Sites because of their outstanding cultural or natural value.
At the top of the list is Stonehenge near Salisbury – an iconic, eons-old site that continues to draw visitors from far and wide. Roughly 35 miles to the west, you also have the Georgian city of Bath and its Roman thermal spa.
The region’s other two World Heritage Sites are a fair bit bigger and can be explored for days on end:
Thriving cities and calm country villages
After inspecting Bath’s UNESCO-approved beauty, it’s a short 10-mile hop over to Bristol, home of Banksy-inspired street art, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Clifden Suspension Bridge and other far-famed landmarks. Also in Somerset is Wells, which, as England’s smallest city, makes up for what it lacks in urban grit with some spectacular ecclesiastical buildings.
If thatched roofs and quiet tearooms are closer to what you’re after, the South West can do that too. First-time visitors looking for calm villages to include on their itinerary would do well to visit coastal Clovelly and its donkeys, Cheddar and its famous gorge or Corfe Castle’s gorgeous hilltop ruins.
More top attractions to visit in South West England
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Monkey World near Wareham
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Longleat or Stourhead, two gorgeous country estates near Warminster
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Kingston Lacy House near Wimborne
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Swanage Railway in Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck,
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Wookey Hole, a cave complex near Wells
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Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire’s county town
The unexplored South West
The mystic past of Wiltshire and Somerset
Whether you’ve come to catch the summer solstice at Stonehenge or prefer the quieter prehistoric remains at Avebury (near Marlborough), this part of Wiltshire is stacked with ancient spiritual sites to explore.
No one knows exactly how and why these mysterious spots were built – something that’s also true of the seven terraces carved into the side of Glastonbury Tor over in Somerset. Over the years, local lore has linked this handsome hilltop to King Arthur, the Celtic underworld and the Holy Grail…
Subtropical suntraps
This part of the world also has a good number of spots so sheltered they have their own microclimate. Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, has unusually mild climes that have allowed this Dorset village to set up a lush subtropical garden. Over in Cornwall, meanwhile, Bude’s half-dozen beaches are regularly ranked as the county’s warmest.
Tiny islands
Off-shore adventure is also on the cards when you settle down for camping or glamping in the South West. Island getaways can be had in all of the region’s coastal counties:
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Settle down near Ilfracombe, Devon to catch ferries out to remote Lundy Island
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Sail from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset to Steep Holm, a wild nature reserve in the Bristol Channel
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Browse sites near Poole, Dorset for day trips to Brownsea Island, the birthplace of the Scout movement
Here’s how
Ready to start your south-western adventure?
Start by finding the site that’s right for you. Use the tick-box filters on the page to explore a wide range of options based on themes, facilities and nearby leisure activities.
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Bringing a pet? Search for dog-friendly campsites in South West England, or read our top tips for holidaying with four-legged friends
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Treat yourself to a grown-up break at one of our adults-only sites in the South West
Alternatively if you fancy touring the South West in a motorhome, there is a several local companies available to hire from including VW Camper Hire, or South West Camper hire, who can save you from doing your full journey the in camper. However, be sure to check out our top tips for motorhome beginners before you hire.
Touring in a motorhome makes it easy to combine outdoor breaks in the South West with trips to nearby beauty spots like the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Central England or the New Forest National Park in the South East.
