7 things you’ll love about the South West
The South West of England is a great place to go on holiday. It has everything from sandy beaches and lovely countryside to theme parks and ancient underground passages, as well as some of the best food in the country. Here are 7 things you’ll love about it.
South West England is a great place to go on holiday
The South West is a great destination for families with its often pristine beaches, stunning scenery, safe environment and plenty of outdoor activities available during any time of year. There’s also plenty to do when looking indoors in the area including visiting castles, theme parks or exploring ancient underground passages – all of which provide hours of fun for kids and adults alike!
Devon boasts not one, but two national parks: Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park. Cornwall has Bodmin moor in the middle of which is the famous Jamaica Inn. The Tamar Valley, The Quantock Hills and Blackdown Hills are all areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty where you can see some of the most stunning countryside.
The region has a varied cuisine that ranges from traditional fish & chips through tasty Thai dishes to authentic Italian pizza finished off with locally made ice cream. It is also known for a number of delicacies such as cream teas, pasties, the more highly spiced white pudding and have you heard of Stargazy Pie?
Do you know the difference between a Devon cream tea and a Cornish cream tea? Read on to find out.
With plenty of accommodation options available, visitors can choose to stay in a luxurious hotel, countryside B&B, self-catering cottage, or take advantage of camping and caravanning opportunities.
Travelling around the South West is easy with a well-connected road and rail network; making day trips to explore further afield very feasible.
Festivals and events taking place throughout the year mean there’s never a dull moment in the South West, with music and literature events on offer alongside food festivals celebrating local produce and not forgetting very popular destinations such as The Devon County Show and The Royal Cornwall show.
The South West has some of Britain’s most striking coastline that includes traditional coastal towns and fishing villages as well as beauty spots such as harbour views and rocky coves. Along the South coast, you will find the Jurassic Coast where to this day you can search out fossilised remains of ancient creatures. Along the North coast, you will find The Atlantic Highway which links some of the UK’s best surfing beaches.
There are also many castles to visit including the iconic Corfe Castle, the UK’s youngest castle: Castle Drogo, and we cannot possibly leave out the legendary castle of King Arthur: Tintagel Castle.
However long you book for, there is always more to see and do, so you will just have to come back again!
Here are 7 things you’ll love about The South West
The beaches
The South West is famously known for its beautiful beaches, and it’s easy to see why. The golden sands of the region are great for relaxing in the sun and building sandcastles. There are also plenty of watersports available to try out, such as bodyboarding and windsurfing (if you’re feeling active).
What’s more, the beaches in this area are often very secluded, so you can have a bit of privacy away from the crowds.
The best surfing beaches are on the North coast as the waves build as they come across the Atlantic. Beaches on the South coast tend to be a little calmer and Dawlish Warren for example is a site of special scientific interest where you will be able to see a wide variety of native and migratory birds.
The countryside is picturesque
Head inland and the countryside is just as lovely. With hills, forests and rolling pastures everywhere you look, it would be a crime to not take some gorgeous photos. Although there are plenty of places in The South West where you can see nature at its finest, one of the most popular regions to do this is Dartmoor National Park; a fantastic area of outstanding natural beauty. Dartmoor is 368 square miles (954 square km) of rugged landscape. See our blog A Dozen things to do on Dartmoor.
There are plenty of things to do in the area
The South West is home to wildly different terrain – from the lush, green countryside to wild moorland and rugged coastline.
For outdoor pursuits, the region boasts miles of beaches ideal for swimming and sunbathing, as well as rolling hills perfect for exploring on foot or bike.
Local water sports enthusiasts will enjoy