South-west England
We've carefully hand-compiled a list of over 450 of the best pages
we could find, helping you to plan your perfect summer holiday (vacation) or short break
in Southwest England.
Here you'll find: information about places to stay in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, and Somerset,
including places to visit, events and attractions, things to see and do, and much
more—all on one handy, uncluttered web page!
It tooks us several weeks to compile this page. We did the hard work so you don't have to.
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Photo: The Dorset Coast. Copyright © ukholidays.org 2009, published under a Creative Commons Licence.
A quick introduction to the South West
This is a very brief overview.
For much more detail about specific places, see the huge list of links below!
Craggy coastlines, sweeping beaches, glorious green fields, historic
houses, and rolling hills—the South West of England is a perfect place
for almost any kind of holiday. What makes it so good? It's largely
rural and still relatively unpopulated; there are no really big urban
centres and the cities, such as they are, are mostly small and quaint.
Because most of the region is on that thin “dog-leg” at the bottom left
of England, hardly anywhere is far from the coast. The climate is mild
and rain is less common here than in other parts of the UK. There's not
a great deal in the way of culture except the sort of provincial
culture you can find anywhere in the country. If it's first-class
culture you want, with one or two exceptions, you won't find it here.
Photo: On the South West coastal path near Swanage, Dorset
Copyright © ukholidays.org 2007, published under a Creative Commons Licence.
The South West is made up of four English counties: Cornwall, Devon,
Dorset, and Somerset. (Wiltshire, which touches Somerset and Dorset, is
also sometimes included too—not least because it's home to
Stonehenge,
the most famous monument in England.) The South West is sometimes
called the West Country, although that name generally refers to a broad
area around Somerset that includes places like Bath and Stonehenge and
doesn't usually include Dorset.
Although these four counties have a similar mixture of coast and
countryside, each has a different character. Cornwall has the most
coastline, for example, and the best selection of gardens. Devon has
classic resorts and the “English Riviera” in the south, but it also has
wilder, more breathtaking coastal scenery in the north.
Dorset is rural and, in places, quite posh.
Somerset is perhaps a little quieter than the other three and is handy for
exploring places like Bath, Bristol, or South Wales.
If it's history you want, there's plenty to see here. Cornwall's
history is steeped in the romance of shipwrecks and smuggling. There's
lots of “industrial history” here—old tin mines, for example, and the
old quarries like the one that houses the spectacularly successful Eden
Project. There's also the cultural history of places like St Ives, an
important harbour refuge for artists inspired by marine light. Devon's
history is mainly one of farming, fishing, shipping, and quarrying.
Dorset probably has the finest selection of English country houses in
the region.
What else can you do here? Almost anything you can think of. Cornwall's
coastline is peppered with first rate beaches. The north coast, with a
steady supply of Atlantic waves, is the UK's surfing capital. The wide
rugged moorlands of Dartmoor and Exmoor are great places for walking,
kite-flying, picnics, and horse-riding. If walking's your thing, you'll
find no better route than the South West Coastal Path, which stretches
right round the coast from Minehead in North Devon to Sandbanks in
Dorset.
Getting to the South Coast needn't be hard. No motorways run south of
Exeter, but there are main roads nevertheless. There are major airports
serving the region in Exeter and Bristol. A fast, direct mainline
railroad runs from Penzance to London and it's easy to pick up direct
trains for the region in major cities like Bristol, Birmingham,
Reading, and Manchester.
Further information
Devon
Explore Devon from a
Google map (centered on Exeter).
Place-by-place
Appledore, Instow, and Westward Ho!
Ashburton
Axminster
Barnstaple
Bideford
Bigbury on Sea
Braunton
Buckfastleigh
Budleigh Salterton
Clovelly
Crediton
Cullompton
Dartmouth
Dawlish
- Dawlish Guide: Comprehensive guide to the town and its attractions.
- Dawlish: Guide from Devon Online.
- Dawlish: An introduction from TourUK.
- Powderham Castle: Historic home of the Earl of Devon, between Exeter and Dawlish.
Exeter
You might like to start by reading our introduction to Exeter.
Exmouth
Honiton
Ilfracombe
Kingsbridge
Lynton and Lynmouth
Newton Abbot
Okehampton
- Okehampton: Information about the area, places to stay and things to do and see during your visit.
- The Dartmoor Railway: A heritage (steam) railway operating on the route of the old Southern line from Crediton to Okehampton and Meldon Quarry.
- Okehampton: A guide from TourUK.
- Okehampton: A guide from Devon Online.
- Okehampton: Local information portal for Okehampton residents and visitors.
- Okehampton: This web-site provides information about the town of Okehampton in Devon, UK, including on B&B accommodation, on the history of the town, etc.
Ottery St Mary
Paignton, Brixham, and the English Riviera
Plymouth
Salcombe
Seaton
Sidmouth
- Sidmouth Town Guide: Official guide.
- Sidmouth Folk Week: Week-long annual folk festival in Sidmouth, early August. Includes concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, top bands, late-night dancing, camp site. Details of ticket prices.
- Sidmouth Directory: Week-long annual folk festival in Sidmouth, early August. Includes concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, top bands, late-night dancing, camp site. Details of ticket prices.
- Sidmouth Guide: General tourist guide to Sidmouth.
Teignmouth
Tiverton
Torquay
- The English Riviera: Official guide to Torquay and neighbouring resorts on the "English Riviera" of South Devon.
- Torquay.com: Contains an extensive listing of businesses, attractions, accommodation in Torquay and the local areas of Paignton and Brixham.
- BBC Online Webcams: Torquay:
Live pictures from the Torquay Webcam provided by the BBC.
- Torquay:
Entry in the Wikipedia encyclopedia.
- This is South Devon:
Online local newspaper for the Torquay area.
Totnes
Other web-based guides to Devon
Cornwall
The best place to start is the official
Visit Cornwall website, run by the Cornwall Tourist Board.
Or you could explore Cornwall from a
Google map (centered on Truro, but you can move it around and zoom in and out).
Place-by-place
Bodmin
Boscastle
Bude
- Bude: Official tourist information site, including details on the local area, restaurants, accommodation, events, history.
- Bude: A guide for tourists,.
- Bude: A guide from Cornish links website,.
- Welcome to Bude in Cornwall: Another great like photo guide from those clever people in Birmingham!
Camborne
Falmouth
Fowey
Land's End
Launceston
Liskeard
The Lizard and Helston
Looe and Polperro
- Looe, Polperro and District Website: Official site for the ancient and historic Cornish maritime ports of Looe and Polperro, sandy beaches, superb sailing bay, fishing harbour...
- Looe, Cornwall, UK: Guide and community resource for visitors to and residents of Looe, Cornwall, England, UK including advice for visitors, local attractions...
- Looe Directory: A directory of hotels, bed and breakfast, guest house, holiday cottages, holiday accommodation, camp sites, pubs, boat hire...
- Looe: A general tourist guide from Cornwall Online.
- Looe: BBC - Cornwall Webcams
- Looe: A general tourist guide from TourUK.
- Polperro: Article from the Wikipedia encyclopedia.
Lostwithiel
- Lostwithiel, Cornwall: General tourist site.
- Lostwithiel, Cornwall: A holiday and tourist travel Guide from TourUK
- Lostwithiel: Cornish history, restaurants, places to eat, photographs and accommodation in Lostwithiel Cornwall.
- Lostwithiel: "Lostwithiel is Cornwall's hidden treasure, nestling in the Fowey River valley about 6 miles east of the Eden Project and 5 miles north of Fowey."
Mevagissey
- Mevagissey Tourist Information Centre: Mevagissey Tourist Information Centre - Directory of accommodation in Mevagissey, South Cornwall, for your Cornish holiday.
- Mevagissey: Mevagissey information. Cornish history, restaurants, places to eat, photographs and accommodation in Mevagissey Cornwall.
- Mevagissey: Your Guide to Mevagissey Accommodation and Entertainment.
- Mevagissey: "Information concerning Mevagissey Cornwall UK plus links to accommodation Mevagissey Cornwall UK."
- World of Model Railways: "Over 30 trains travelling through varied landscapes including town, country, seaside and even an Alpine Winter."
Newlyn
Newquay
Padstow
- Padstow - Cornwall The Official Tourist Information Centre Website: "In Cornwall, Padstow is an example of what we do best - it's a working port which wears a holiday hat."
- Padstow Cornwall: "shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels, self catering holiday cottages, guest houses, caravan parks and other businesses"
- Padstow: Tour guide from Cornwall Online
- Padstow: Tour guide from Tour UK
- Padstow Cornwall England: a picture guide by Cornish Light: "Padstow, olde worlde fishing port, in North Cornwall England,a guide with pictures."
Penzance
Perranporth
Redruth
- Redruth Cornwall: Business Directory - listing shops, businesses. Town Council site includes news, local services, history and regeneration plans.
- Redruth: Article from the Wikipedia encyclopedia.
- Redruth: Information from Cornwall Online
- Redruth: Redruth information. Cornish history, restaurants, places to eat, photographs and accommodation in Redruth Cornwall.
St Agnes
St Austell
St Ives
St Just, St Mawes, and the Roseland Peninsula
Tintagel
Truro
Wadebridge
- Wadebridge - Cornwall: The Official Tourist Information Centre Website.
- Wadebridge - Cornwall: "Welcome to Wadebridge, one of North Cornwall's main market towns and gateway to the Camel Trail, now the third largest attraction in the whole of Cornwall."
- Wadebridge, Cornwall: A comprehensive guide to the town and area.
- Wadebridge, Cornwall: "Wadebridge information. Cornish history, restaurants, places to eat, photographs and accommodation in Wadebridge Cornwall."
Dorset
The best place to start might be this
Google map (centered on Dorchester, Dorset's county town, but you can move it around and zoom in and out).
County and area guides
- West Dorset Tourism: The official tourist guide to the western part of the county.
- Visit Dorset: "All You Need to Plan Your Perfect Dorset Holidays".
- Dorset for You: The Dorset County Council website with a guide to countryside, coast, arts, entertainment, sporting facilities, and more.
- Images of Dorset: An inspiring photographic guide to Dorset.
- Dorset Tourist Information Centres: A list of official TICs with addresses, telephone numbers, contact details.
- BBC Dorset: Selected pictures of the county, including 360 degree panoramas.
Place-by-place
Beaminster
- Beaminster: A guide from Tour UK, includes accommodation.
- Mapperton: A sublime stately home. Perhaps the best reason for going to Beaminster.
Bere Regis
Bournemouth
You might like to start by reading our introduction to Bournemouth.
Bridport
- Bridport and West Bay Community Website: "Bridport is a historic, vibrant market town with a strong community spirit. It is recognised as a Gateway Town for the World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast and is also a Beacon Town promoting the high quality and variety of local food."
- River Cottage: Home of culinary delights, near Bridport
- The Jurassic Coast: Runs from Seaton in Devon to Swanage in Dorset.
Cerne Abbas
Dorchester
You might like to start by reading our introduction to Dorchester.
- Visit Dorchester: A general tourist guide, including walks, maps, bus, and car directions.
- My Dorchester: "My Dorchester offers a wealth of information on Dorchester, a town with a proud history and growing prosperity in Dorset in southern England".
- Dorchester: A guide from Tour UK.
- The Heart of Wessex Line: Explore Dorchester on a very scenic railway.
Lyme Regis and West Bay
You might like to start by reading our introduction to Lyme Regis.
- Lyme Regis Tourism: Official tourist guide, includes accommodation, events, and information about local groups and councils.
- Lyme Regis.com: A very comprehensive guide to the classic Dorset resort.
- The Lyme Regis Museum: The Philpot Museum: "Lyme?s lively local history is well represented by maritime and domestic objects, and illustrated by paintings, prints and photographs."
- West Bay: Another gateway to the so-called Jurassic Coast
Poole
- Poole Tourism: Official tourism website. "A bustling Quay, the best beaches in England and the stunning natural harbour make Poole, Dorset a natural first choice on the South Coast. Poole guarantees you an exciting Autumn getaway."
- Borough of Poole: Official local website.
- Poole Pottery: Buy some pottery while you're here!
- The Lighthouse: Poole's concert hall and arts centre.
- Tower Park: "Tower Park in Poole is the south coast's largest entertainment centre offering activities for all the family all year round.
With a 10 screen multiplex cinema to bingo, bowling and a water park with 12 of the UK's most exciting indoor and outdoor rides, Tower Park is a fun day out for all."
- Dolphin Swimming Pool: Main swimming pool in the centre of Poole: "The Dolphin Swimming Pool is situated close to Poole Town Centre and has three pools - diving pool with 1, 3 and 5 metre diving boards, teaching pool and a 33.3 metre main swimming pool."
Swanage, Wareham, and the Isle of Purbeck
You might like to start by reading our introduction to Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck.
Weymouth
Somerset
The best place to start might be this
Google map (centered on Taunton, Somerset's county town, but you can move it around and zoom in and out).
County and area guides
Place-by-place
Bath
You might like to start by reading our own introductory guide to Bath.
- Visit Bath: The official tourist guide to the World Heritage Site city of Bath.
- City of Bath: An unofficial tourist guide.
- Roman Baths: One of Bath's most notable attractions.
- Bath Abbey: "The last great gothic church in England."
- Bath: A guide from Heritage Cities.com.
- Bath Preservation Trust: Looking after Bath's historic buildings, including No. 1 Royal Crescent.
Bridgwater
Bruton
- Welcome to Bruton: A guide for visitors.
- Bruton: A guide from the Heart of Wessex train line, includes "Bruton Map Guide" and leaflet detailing "Attractions, places to stay, eat and drink".
- Bruton Town: Community website for Bruton.
- Bruton: A guide from Country Breaks.
- Bruton: A very brief guide from Let's Go There (could hardly be more brief, actually).
Burnham-on-Sea
Castle Cary
Chard
- Chard: The official website. Includes both community and tourist sections.
- Chard: Information from Country Breaks.com
- Forde Abbey: A glorious country house and garden near Chard: "More than 900 years of history and romance are encapsulated in this elegant former Cistercian monastery and its 30 acres of exquisite award winning gardens."
- Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park: "The Wildlife Park is open everyday throughout the year, except Christmas day."
- Hornsbury Mill: A restaurant and hotel near Chard.
- Blackdown Hills AONB: A guide to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Cheddar
Crewkerne
- Crewkerne Town: Community, business, and tourist information.
- Crewkerne: A short introduction from Wikipedia.
- Crewkerne: A guide from AboutBritain.com.
- Forde Abbey: A glorious country house and garden near Chard: "More than 900 years of history and romance are encapsulated in this elegant former Cistercian monastery and its 30 acres of exquisite award winning gardens."
- Crewkerne: Information from Country-Breaks.com. Includes a guide to local attractions, accommodation, and photographs.
Dulverton
- Dulverton: Details from the Everything Exmoor encyclopedia
- Exmoor National Park: Official guide from the Exmoor National Park Authority
- Dulverton: An introduction to the Exmoor gateway town from What's on Exmoor.com
- Dulverton: A guide from Britinfo.net
- Dulverton: A guide from TourUK
Frome
- Frome Tourist Information Centre: The official guide to visiting Frome and nearby places of interest
- Frome: What makes the market town of Frome tick? Find out about transport, arts and crafts, culture, shops and businesses, and more—on Town Talk
- Frome Festival: A community organized festial held in July each year.
- Frome: The Wikipedia page covers the town's history.
- Frome with a view: A virtual tour of Frome.
Glastonbury
- Glastonbury Online: Information for residents and visitors. Includes information about accommodation, healing, spirituality, local businesses, and an events guide.
- Glastonbury Festival: The more-or-less annual rock and pop festival
- The Isle of Avalon: Another perspective on Glastonbury. Includes an amazing 360 degree photo of the view from Glastonbury Tor.
- Glastonbury Abbey: The oldest above-ground Christian church in the world.
- Glastonbury Town Council: The official town council and community website.
Ilminster
- Ilminster website: Community website providing information about its history, events, businesses, services, clubs and associations.
- Barrington Court: A splendid National Trust house and garden near Ilminster, or, as the website puts it: "Jekyll-inspired garden, working kitchen garden and Tudor manor house".
- Ilminster: A guide from BritInfo.net.
Minehead
Street
- Street: A guide from Let's Go There.
- Clark's Village Outlet: A shopping village in Somerset on the site of the former Clarks factory. Guess where they make their shoes now...
- Street: Wikipedia page.
Taunton
- The Heart of Somerset: The official tourism page for the centre of Taunton. Includes contact details for the accommodation booking service, maps, and up-to-date events guide.
- Taunton Town Centre: Information for local people and tourists. Includes lots of information about shopping in Taunton.
- Hestercombe: Wonderful gardens in the Vale of Taunton.
Watchet
- Watchet: A guide from the Somerset Riviera website.
- Visit Watchet: "An ancient port nestled between Exmoor National Park and the Quantock hills."
- Watchet: A fairly detailed page from the Quantock Online Community website, covering the history of Watchet and what you can see and do there today.
- Welcome to Watchet: A tourist website under construction.
- Watchet Harbour Marina: A comprehensive guide for boaties.
- Watchet Carnival: The official website.
Wellington
Wells
- Wells Cathedral: "A prayer in stone and glass" beneath the Mendip Hills.
- The Bishop's Palace and Gardens: "More than simply an historic house and garden, this splendid medieval Palace has been the home of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years."
- Wells: A guide to "the smallest city in England".
- Wells Somerset photos: Some outstanding pictures by Tony Howell.
- Wells: More photos, this time by Pete Harow.
Yeovil
- Yeovil Town: Mainly a local community portal, though there's useful transport information and details of shops and eating places.
- The Octagon Theatre: Culture in Yeovil.
- Montacute House: National Trust house and garden near Yeovil. As the website says: "Magnificent Elizabethan stone-built house, incorporating National Portrait Gallery exhibition, garden and park."
- Tintinhull: National Trust garden near Yeovil. As the website says: "A tranquil oasis of small pools, secluded lawns and beautiful borders."
