Home to some of England’s most enchanting coastal scenery, the South West is a largely rural region hugging the English and Bristol channels. It encompasses the beautifully preserved streets of Bath and the historic maritime city of Bristol, as well as Stonehenge, Dartmoor National Park and picture-perfect Cornwall.

Discover the importance of bathing to our ancient Roman ancestors in Bath before learning about the region’s social and industrial heritage at Bristol’s M Shed. Its 19th-century warehouses are now clustered with innovative restaurants and boutiques, as well as the cutting-edge contemporary art gallery, the Arnolfini.

You can escape to the vast moorlands of Dartmoor National Park or hike through the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cornwall is renowned for its endless beaches, towering cliffs and picturesque harbour villages. South West England also boasts a rich culinary heritage, with Cheddar cheese, Devonshire tea and Cornish pasties all originating here.

Getting around

Bristol Airport is the main aviation gateway to South West England and has flights to destinations across Europe while London is around two hours away by train. Both trains and buses connect the region’s towns and villages, most of which can be explored on foot.