South West England Area Guide

Covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, South West England is one of the UK's holiday hotspots. This is an area full of contrast and variety: South West England has seven cities (Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Salisbury, Truro and Wells), two beautiful national parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor), many miles of stunning coastline and a huge amount of cultural and heritage attractions to explore. Fancy exploring some of it for yourself? Read on to find out about some of the best places to go in South West England.

Top attractions in South West England

The rural scenery of South West England is beautiful indeed, but city breaks are also hugely rewarding here – each of the area's cities has a very distinct personality and plenty of interesting attractions for visitors. The depth of heritage and the thriving cultural scenes are no doubt what make these such great places to spend time – and to help you decide which is the place for you, we’ve picked three of the best cities to visit in South West England.

Bath

Around six million visitors come to Bath each year, and it's easy to see why. The city centre is simply beautiful, with the honey-coloured stone of its Georgian buildings making it feel like you've stepped back in time. In fact, it’s so attractive and well preserved that the entire city centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – no wonder most people consider Bath to be one of the must-see locations in South West England.

It’s possible to see most of Bath's attractions on a day trip, but spending a little longer here will give you the chance to explore everything more thoroughly, perhaps taking time to soak in the waters of Thermae Bath Spa and follow the fabulous Bath Skyline Walk as well as visiting iconic historic sights like the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent.

Bristol

Bath and Bristol may be only a little over 10 miles apart, but they're hugely different in terms of character. Bristol has its own historic attractions – notably the SS Great Britain and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel – but what really draws people to Bristol is its thriving contemporary cultural scene. There’s always something going on here: the city is full of venues for art, theatre and all sorts of music and it's got great dining, nightlife and shopping scenes as well.

This excellent mix of things to see and do has led to Bristol becoming the eighth most-visited city in the UK, its nine million annual visitors eclipsing the number that visit neighbouring Bath (although the latter often feels busier due to its compact size and the prevalence of large tour groups). Bristol's handy location close to both the M4 and M5 also make it a great place to stop over on a journey to other destinations such as Wales or Cornwall.

Exeter

With easy access to both the Devon coast and Dartmoor National Park, Exeter makes a great base for visitors who like to pack a lot of variety into their city break. Its location on the River Exe adds to the appeal as well, with several lovely places to eat and drink along the quayside and options for waterside walks and bike rides or boat trips and canoe outings.

There's a whole lot of history to explore in Exeter as well – this is a city whose roots can be traced back to Roman times. Exeter Cathedral and Royal Albert Memorial Museum are a couple of must-sees, and you can also venture underground to learn about a different side of the city's past with a tour of its network of medieval passages.

Scenic countryside and coastlines of South West England

The scenery of South West England is famously spectacular, with visitors from all over the world coming to explore and enjoy its green hills, open spaces and coastal views. Thanks to the presence of the Gulf Stream, this area also has one of the mildest climates in the UK, so it’s a year-round destination and an attractive location for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling and watersports. 

With such a wide area to explore, where should you go to find the most spectacular views? Here we've picked out four areas that we think offer some of the best scenery in South West England.

• The instantly recognisable granite tors of Dartmoor National Park give the area something of an otherworldly feel, and the park's wild, quiet atmosphere is a huge draw for hikers, wildlife spotters, photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

• The Jurassic Coast is arguably one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the UK, with natural highlights such as Durdle Door, Chesil Beach and the cliffs of West Bay. Taking its name from the sheer number of fossils that have been found here, this 95-mile stretch of Devon and Dorset coast has been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status because of its global importance.

• Despite being smaller than its local cousin Dartmoor, Exmoor National Park has a lot to offer visitors – its compact size means you can easily mix up days of moorland walks, watersports on its stretch of north Devon coast and visits to family attractions such as Exmoor Zoo. Exmoor’s status as Europe's first International Dark Skies Reserve makes it an excellent location for stargazing as well.

• Look at any map of South West England and you'll no doubt quickly spot one of its most striking features: a very lengthy stretch of coastline. There's no better way to explore it than a walk on the South West Coast Path, the UK's longest waymarked long-distance footpath at 630 miles. The full route of the South West Coast Path, from Minehead to Poole, takes several weeks, but even a couple of miles will give visitors a good taste of this stunning seaside scenery.

Cultural highlights of South West England

As well as beautiful scenery, South West England has a rich and varied cultural scene to explore. From ancient sights such as Stonehenge to the contemporary art of Tate St Ives, via a traditional Cornish cream tea, there’s plenty of interest in this area when it comes to heritage, tradition and arts. Here’s our pick of places to base yourselves for a cultural break in South West England.

Plymouth

Going by the title of 'Britain's Ocean City’, Plymouth has a rich maritime history that's well worth exploring. The sea is a running theme with many of its attractions, from the historic Mayflower Steps and Mayflower Museum to the National Marine Aquarium – and even the Plymouth Gin Distillery, which once supplied seafarers with their rations. There's a buzzing nightlife in Plymouth as well, with some great restaurants, bars and cultural events such as shows at the Theatre Royal.

Plymouth's waterside location also means you can get out for some fresh air easily enough, perhaps taking a boat across Plymouth Sound to Mount Edgcumbe Park, visiting Wembury beach or walking on the South West Coast Path.

Glastonbury

Now home to one of the world's most famous music festivals, Glastonbury is a fascinating place that’s steeped in myth and legend. Visitors to the town can learn all about its links to King Arthur and the Holy Grail and the events that led to it becoming the first seat of Christianity in Britain. Sights like Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury Tor (said to be the real-life version of Camelot) and the Chalice Well will give you some insight into this intriguing place, as well as a chance to see some fabulous scenery.

There's always been something of a mystical atmosphere in Glastonbury – Celtic tribes believed it to be the portal to Annwn, the underworld of eternal youth, and many people over the years have talked about the ley lines bringing spiritual energy to the town. These days Glastonbury is a popular place with those seeking new-age and alternative lifestyles, and its streets are a treasure trove of independent shops selling things like crystals, meditation music and dreamcatchers as well as handmade and vintage products.

Planning your holiday in South West England

South West England has a huge amount for visitors to see and do, whether you’d like to explore the area’s fascinating cities and heritage attractions, hit the best beaches in Cornwall or get out for a good hike in Dartmoor National Park. An outdoor stay will help you make the most of this fabulous area, allowing you to soak up the gorgeous countryside or coastal scenery in between your trips to major attractions. And as well as providing plenty of fresh air and views, camping and glamping are usually quite cost-effective ways to find accommodation for your trip.

Check out Pitchup’s full collection of South West England campsites and glampsites to find a place that suits you – we’ve got everything from simple farm campsites to stylish glamping locations for a special getaway.