Holiday Cottages in the West Country - a Guide to Holidays in South West England

The South West is not just about looking back on its proud heritage, you will also find at some of the UK’s leading attractions such as the Eden Project and some major water sports events and music festivals each year.

However, it is the natural beauty that is the true star of the south west including two of Britain’s National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor) and the Jurassic coastline.

Seeing the West Country and the South West in all its Glory

The ever changing landscape is full of wonder all year round but undoubtedly it is full of vibrant colour and warmth from Spring to Autumn. During this period all the attractions are fully open and the gardens are in full bloom.

Beware that during the school holidays (typically late July through August) the south west and all its family attractions are very busy and so if you are looking to avoid the crowds then we recommend heading there in September when you can still enjoy the late summer weather, but benefit from cheaper accommodation and a more leisurely pace.

For the more serious surfers heading to the south west, hitting the beaches in late autumn (Sept-Oct) will ensure more space on the water as well as some of the best swells and waves of the year.

Top of your Westcountry Holiday Itinerary

There is no shortage of things to see and do in the West Country but here are a few things that should be on your holiday itinerary.

• Be in awe and wonder at Stonehenge, the famous stone ring on the Salisbury Plain (or why not check out the just as mysterious Avebury Ring which you can get closer to)
• Visit the wonderful Georgian town of Bath and soak in the warm spa waters from the natural spring
• Explore Dorset’s Jurassic coast and help the children find 200 million year old fossils on the beach
• Be swept up by the romanticism and mysticism of Corfe Castle and Tintagel
• Check out the splendour of Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals
• Eat locally caught sea food in Padstow
from the awe and wonder of Stonehenge to the wildlife, wilderness and solitude of Dartmoor, what a treat
• Be inspired by the eco world of the Eden Project
• Enjoy the wildlife, wilderness and solitude of Dartmoor and the beauty of the Exmoor coast
• Cross the famous causeway at St Michaels Mount

As you would expect from a popular tourist area, the south west is not short of attractions and activities to keep everyone in your family or group entertained. Whether you are looking for wildlife and zoos, theme parks and excitement or simply gardens and castles to visit you will find it in the south west. 

Check out our activities and attractions guides to Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire.

 

Cycling in the West Country

Whether you are looking for a day out on your bike or wish to explore the south west on a bike holiday there are some great routes to get you going.  A great place to start is the National Cycle Network routes, a number of which cross the region including:

• Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route which winds its way between the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor.
• West Country Way which weaves its way from Bristol to Barnstaple.

There is also the Wiltshire Cycle way that will take you around the county border.

Of course if you are looking for something a little more adventurous and off-road you will find lots on the region especially around the National Parks and Cornwall’s popular Camel Trail.  You can find lots more great cycle trails to cycle via the Sustrans website.

 

Walking in the Westcountry and the South West

It will comes as no surprise that the south west is a walkers’ paradise.  With two National Parks you are not short of great walks to get away from it all. Of the two, Dartmoor is bigger and certainly more remote, it is ideal for serious hiking, where as Exmoor with its coastline is popular for day trips.

If you want to walk the wonderful south Westcountry coast then the South West Coast Path is the place to head – as it is over 600 miles long you can choose where to start and stop! In fact you can pick up the path anywhere on the coast between Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset - covering the Cornwall and Devon coastlines too.  

 

Water sports in the West Country and the South West

With so much fabulous Atlantic coastline the south west is the place to head for water sports and activities in the UK.  The National UK Surfing is based at Newquay but you will find great surfing locations throughout Cornwall, Devon and Dorset – including the man-made surfing reef at Bournemouth.  However, the waves aren’t just for the surfers, it is the perfect place for family fun whether it be body boarding or jumping in the great waves. If you want to know more about surfing or where to get lessons or hire equipment please check out Go Surfing.

Sailing is obviously hugely popular in the south west with a popular yachting haven being at Weymouth.

 

Blue Flag beaches in the Westcountry and South West

If you are looking for a clean and safe beach for family or friends then it is worth looking out for the Blue Flag beaches (reviewed annually against tough standards, only the best beaches get the Blue Flag Award). The south west has more Blue Flag beaches than any other part of the UK, with Dorset, Devon and Cornwall all having beaches with the Awards. Check out our Blue Flag beach list.

 

Golfing in the Westcountry

There is one English Championship Golf Course in Cornwall, St Mellion, but there are plenty of other good golf courses in the south west of England to choose from.