South West Regions Guide - overview

The south west region of England is picture-perfect - fitting the stereotype one has of the English countryside of rolling green hills, wild moors, quaint historic towns and rugged coastlines. It is no wonder that Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge drew inspiration from the area.

The south west is home to some fascinating historical sites, including the legendary Stonehenge and the mysterious Avebury Stone Circles, both in Wiltshire, as well as dozens of slightly younger abbeys and cathedrals (including the Salisbury Cathedral). Since 1970, the Glastonbury Festival has drawn thousands of music lovers to a farm just outside the town of Glastonbury in Somerset to enjoy hundreds of top artists, as well as theatre, comedy, artwork and more, all in a Woodstock-style setting. Not only famous for its music festivals and Cheddar cheese, however, Somerset also boasts such sites as the Exmoor National Park and Cheddar Gorge, with its myriad of caves that are well worth exploring.

Devon and Cornwall, on the tip of south west England, boast some of the most spectacular and unspoilt scenery in the country. The south coast of Devon is known as the English Riviera, and its major town is Plymouth, whose famous naval docks are still home to the Royal Navy. It was here in 1588 that Sir Francis Drake finished his game of bowls before setting off to defeat the Spanish Armada. A few years later, in 1620, the Mayflower left Plymouth for the New World carrying the Pilgrim Fathers.

On the border with Cornwall, visitors will discover the rugged wilderness of Dartmoor National Park where wild ponies and hikers roam freely across a dramatic landscape dotted with tors and pre-historic remains. England's most south-westerly county, Cornwall is a popular destination for British tourists drawn by the beautiful countryside and a craggy coastline pitted with small fishing villages and glorious white sandy beaches.

The south west is filled with fascinating sights and sounds, from small towns to vibrant cities, from stately cathedrals to Neolithic sites, all set in the lush English countryside. The region is a must on any trip to the UK and visitors will not be disappointed.