The South West of England's countryside offers a diversity of things to do and see, whether you prefer an active break, or taking a picturesque drive through the little hills and valleys with thatched villages of Dorset. Moving further West explore the rolling hills, leafy lanes, great castles and stunning stately homes of the South West region.
One of the most beautiful counties in England is Dorset, not only does it have comparable rural views but also some the most picturesque coastline in Britain. With its mild climate, Bournemouth is one of the top holiday destinations, a lively cosmopolitan town with safe swimming, sandy beaches, good nightlife and award winning gardens. Christchurch is completely different, although less than 20 miles away; it has narrow streets, a fine priory, little quaint shops and tea houses. Further west are the resorts of Weymouth, Swanage, Poole (which has the largest natural harbour in Europe), and Lulworth. A must see is Corfe Castle in the Isle of Purbeck, although a ruin, it is mysterious and beckoning.
The South of England has a wealth of historic towns and cities to visit, Salisbury and Winchester have two of the finest cathedrals in England, Near Salisbury you can visit Breamore House and gardens (built 1583), and close by are the famous Wilton House and Wilton carpet factory and the ancient stones of Stonehenge. In Winchester you can visit the Great Hall where the Round Table associated with King Arthur is displayed, and the local quaint shops in the surrounding streets and lanes.
There are seven cities in the West Country - Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Salisbury, Truro and Wells. On the banks of the River Avon is Bath, famed for its Georgian splendour, the 15th century abbey, and the Roman baths in the city centre. The terraces and crescents are picturesque and pleasing to the eye.
Bristol with its good road and rail links is an ideal holiday base; this is an attractive port with a modern outlook, featuring world-class hotels and restaurants this is really worth a visit. Exeter 65 miles away is a true university city, good shopping, trend-setting venues, lovely coffee shops and the cathedral are a pleasure for the overseas visitor. Plymouth is only 35 miles from Exeter and sits on an estuary between Cornwall and Devon. The is the city where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail.
Salisbury to the east is steeped in history with its gothic Norman cathedral with 404-foot spire. To the west is Truro, which has a quiet appeal and an early English style cathedral, which was built only a century ago. Its cobbled streets contain fantastic shops, which suit all tastes. Wells is England's most compact city, set at the foot of the Mendip Hills and is famous for the cathedral concerts, which are held throughout the year. Also visit Glastonbury the legendary home of King Arthur with its magical powers.
The unspoilt rugged wilderness of the Dartmoor National Park, home of Dartmoor prison for nearly 200 years is an unforgettable place. The gateway to Dartmoor is Princetown, visit the high granite plateau with tors and wooded valleys - and see the famous Dartmoor ponies. Badgers, ponies, red deer and over 230 species of bird can be seen at Exmoor National Park, which covers 265 square miles. There is also a spectacular viewpoint at Dunkery Beacon; at over 1,707 feet above sea level this is Exmoor's highest point.
The counties of Cornwall and Devon lie further south and west than anywhere else in England and offer miles of rugged, unspoilt coastline, seas dotted with islands, wild expanses of open countryside and moorland and over one million years of heritage. They are the jewels in South England's crown. This is an area with more miles of coast than any other in England. A coastline, which offers plenty of contrasts from towering cliffs and gentle wooded creeks to traditional fishing villages a whole host of resorts - each with its own unique maritime heritage to explore. There are resorts, which have strong connections with England's royalty (Sidmouth), world famous Authors such as Agatha Christie (Torquay), and Daphne Du Maurier (Fowey), whilst others provide a contemporary connection with art and culture (St Ives). One of the best ways of discovering its varied beauty is to take a walk on the South West Coast path - a magnificent walk that takes you to the tip of Lands End.
This area is also home to one of Britain's oldest prehistoric sites. There are centuries of history to explore. Great treasure Houses, cliff top ruined castles, fine cathedrals and churches, small ancient villages and market towns all have tales of the past.
The coastline of the South West is alive with things to see and do, trail walking, exploring ancient sites and studying its natural life. The main resorts include Newquay, Weston-super-Mare with its Victorian era charm, Ilfracombe, St Ives - famous for the Tate Gallery's 300 paintings, Penzance, Torquay with its glittering nightlife, family entertainment at Westward Ho! and Minehead. Sidmouth in East Devon has a renowned Festival of Folk and arts
. There are quaint and well preserved towns including Clovelly with its cobbled, stepped and car free streets, and Cadgwith, Mousehole, Polperro and Mevagissey, the fishing villages which hold a wealth of smuggling stories. Don't forget to visit King Arthur's legendary birthplace at Tintagel and the offshore islands such as Lundy - Britain's only official marine nature reserve and the subtropical Isles of Scilly (a 28 mile air or sea trip from the mainland). Warm summers and mild winters make the South of England perfect for all seasons.