South West England
Surf, sand, and ancient mysteries 🏄♂️🦖
South West England is the UK's premier summer holiday destination, renowned for its dramatic coastline, sandy beaches, and milder climate. It is a region where days are spent by the sea and evenings involve fresh seafood or traditional cream teas (remember: jam first in Cornwall, cream first in Devon!).
Cornwall is the tip of the peninsula, famous for its surf culture. Towns like Newquay offer surf schools catering to children, with safe, lifeguarded beaches. The Eden Project is a must-visit: huge biomes housed in a former clay pit containing the world's largest indoor rainforest. Kids can walk across canopy rope bridges and learn about plants from around the globe. Nearby, St Michael's Mount is a tidal island with a castle that can be walked to at low tide across a causeway—a magical experience for young adventurers.
Devon offers two coastlines and two national parks. On the south coast, the English Riviera offers calm waters for swimming. inland, Dartmoor National Park is famous for its wild ponies and 'tors' (granite outcrops) which are perfect for scrambling. Fossil hunters should head to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, particularly Lyme Regis and Charmouth, where finding ammonites and belemnites on the beach is a common occurrence after a tide change.
Further north, Bristol is a vibrant city home to the SS Great Britain, an interactive museum ship, and an exciting street art scene. Just a short hop away is Bath, where families can walk on the original pavements of the Roman Baths. History is ancient and mysterious in Wiltshire at Stonehenge; the visitor centre does a great job of explaining the monument's significance to children through audiovisual displays.
The region is also famous for Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, where families can explore stunning stalactite caves and buy the famous cheese aged within them. Travel here can be slow in peak summer (July/August) due to narrow lanes and high traffic, so patience is required. The train line to Penzance offers one of the most scenic coastal rail journeys in the country.
Click a region to explore
Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Features iconic landscapes like Dartmoor and the Jurassic Coast alongside major wildlife experiences at Longleat. Peak months provide optimal trail conditions and mild weather, while winter is often too wet and cold for authentic wilderness exploration.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Home to the UNESCO-listed city of Bath and world-class sites like Stonehenge and Tate St Ives. Summer offers pleasant conditions for architectural exploration, whereas high winter precipitation and low temperatures detract from the urban cultural experience.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
Offers internationally recognized scenic routes like the Atlantic Highway and the Jurassic Coast Drive through picturesque countryside. Peak summer conditions provide the best visibility and driving safety, while winter months are marred by heavy rainfall.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
Boasts the world-renowned South West Coast Path and innovative facilities like The Wave for surfing. Activity is best from late spring to early autumn when trails are dry; winter conditions are often too muddy or dangerous for active exploration.
Beach resorts, marine activities: diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing
Coastal landmarks like Durdle Door offer stunning scenery but water temperatures rarely meet international standards for comfortable swimming. Brief summer windows provide the only viable conditions for coastal recreation in this temperate maritime climate.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Contains significant discovery centers such as the National Marine Aquarium and We The Curious. These provide solid family learning experiences, though they are best visited during milder months when combined with the region's broader cultural offerings.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
Hosts the globally famous Glastonbury Festival and iconic Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge. These events are concentrated in June, with winter offering little in terms of internationally significant cultural celebrations.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
Centred around the historic thermal waters of Bath, offering a unique fusion of Roman heritage and modern wellness. Peak months align with pleasant weather for walking between facilities, while winter's cold can limit the restorative atmosphere.
Amusement parks, family entertainment venues
Features regional attractions like Splashdown and Crealy which, while popular, lack the scale of global destination parks. Operation and enjoyment are highly weather-dependent, confined primarily to the warmer and drier summer months.
Attractions (97 total)
Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Avebury Stone Circle
Avebury
One of the largest Neolithic henges in the world, with massive standing stones encircling a picturesque village.
Visit website →Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury
A masterpiece of Early English Gothic architecture home to Britain's tallest spire and the Magna Carta.
Visit website →Stonehenge
Amesbury
A prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England. One of the most famous landmarks in the world.
Visit website →The Roman Baths
Bath
Extremely well-preserved Roman site for public bathing, showcasing ancient history in the heart of a UNESCO city.
Visit website →Tintagel Castle
Tintagel
Dramatic cliffside castle ruins linked to the legend of King Arthur, featuring a spectacular modern footbridge.
Visit website →Tintern Abbey
Tintern
The spectacular roofless ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey set within the picturesque landscape of the Wye Valley.
Visit website →Berkeley Castle
Berkeley
A fortress inhabited by the same family for over 850 years, featuring beautiful gardens and a butterfly house.
Visit website →Corfe Castle
Wareham
Iconic ruins of a royal fortress perched on a hill, offering hands-on history activities for children.
Visit website →Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury
Atmospheric ruins of one of England's richest monasteries, steeped in myths of King Arthur and Joseph of Arimathea.
Visit website →Lacock Abbey
Lacock
A quirky country house built upon the cloisters of a former nunnery, known as a film location for Harry Potter.
Visit website →Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water
Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, this picturesque village features low stone bridges over the River Windrush and honey-colored cottages.
Visit website →Castle Combe
Chippenham
Often called the prettiest village in England, featuring golden Cotswold stone cottages and a scenic bridge over a winding stream.
Chipping Campden Market Hall
Chipping Campden
An iconic 17th-century stone market hall located in the heart of one of the Cotswolds' most elegant historic wool towns.
Visit website →Avebury Stone Circles
Avebury
The world's largest prehistoric stone circle, which uniquely encloses a picturesque village where visitors can walk directly among the ancient stones.
Visit website →Lacock Village
Lacock
A quintessential English village preserved by the National Trust, famous as a filming location for Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice.
Visit website →Aquarium / Sea Life Centre
Bristol Aquarium
Bristol
A vibrant city-center attraction featuring a large botanical greenhouse and diverse tropical and native marine species.
Visit website →National Marine Aquarium
Plymouth
The UK's largest aquarium features massive tanks with sharks, rays, and a focus on ocean conservation.
Visit website →SEA LIFE Weymouth Adventure Park
Weymouth
A sprawling coastal park combining indoor aquarium displays with outdoor enclosures for penguins, seals, and otters.
Visit website →Ilfracombe Aquarium
Ilfracombe
An award-winning attraction located in a historic lifeboat house, showcasing the journey of local water from Exmoor to the Atlantic.
Visit website →Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium
Lyme Regis
A traditional, family-run aquarium on the historic Cobb wall that offers hands-on experiences with local Jurassic Coast sea life.
Visit website →Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay
Newquay
Overlooking Towan Beach, this aquarium features an underwater tunnel through a coral reef tank filled with exotic fish.
Visit website →Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Bristol
Features a vast collection ranging from Old Masters and French Impressionists to natural history exhibits that engage all ages.
Visit website →Tate St Ives
St Ives
A world-class modern art gallery overlooking the Atlantic Ocean offering creative family workshops and stunning coastal views.
Visit website →The Holburne Museum
Bath
A grand museum housing fine and decorative arts within a former 18th-century hotel set in beautiful parkland.
Visit website →Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
St Ives
Provides an intimate look at the famous sculptor's work and life within her former home and a beautiful, secluded garden.
Visit website →The Box
Plymouth
A major contemporary cultural hub featuring interactive galleries and a vast archive of Southwest British art and history.
Visit website →Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar
Britain's largest gorge features dramatic 450-foot cliffs and stunning stalactite caverns that fascinate visitors of all ages.
Visit website →Dartmoor National Park
Princetown
A vast upland area known for its granite tors, wild ponies, and ancient woodland, perfect for adventurous family hikes.
Visit website →Land's End
Sennen
The legendary most westerly point of mainland England, featuring rugged granite cliffs and views of the Longships Lighthouse.
Visit website →Lulworth Cove
West Lulworth
A near-perfect circular bay on the Jurassic Coast, world-famous for its unique geology and calm, clear waters.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Cheddar Gorge & Caves
Cheddar
Britain's largest gorge featuring spectacular 450ft cliffs and prehistoric caves, offering breathtaking clifftop walks and underground exploration.
Visit website →Exmoor National Park
Lynton
A unique landscape of high coastal cliffs and deep wooded valleys, perfect for spotting wild red deer and enjoying stargazing.
Visit website →Brownsea Island Nature Reserve
Poole
A peaceful island nature reserve in Poole Harbour, famous as one of the few places in England to see rare red squirrels in the wild.
Visit website →The Lizard Peninsula
Helston
A dramatic coastal nature reserve featuring rare wildflowers, unique geology, and the UK's most southerly point at Lizard Point.
Visit website →Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Bristol
An iconic symbol of Bristol, this Grade I listed suspension bridge spans the Avon Gorge and offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Visit website →The Royal Crescent
Bath
A magnificent row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent, representing one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture.
Visit website →Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Cotswold Farm Park
Cheltenham
Founded by Joe Henson and now run by TV presenter Adam Henson, this park offers a premium experience focused on rare breed conservation and seasonal farming activities.
Visit website →Longleat
Warminster
A world-famous Elizabethan estate featuring a safari park, grand house, and an extensive family farmyard area with interactive animal encounters.
Visit website →Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Poole
Specifically designed for children under eight, this park offers a highly rated rural experience with milking demonstrations and tractor rides.
Visit website →The Big Sheep
Bideford
A quirky and popular attraction known for its hilarious sheep racing, shearing demonstrations, and extensive indoor and outdoor play areas.
Visit website →Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Bristol
A unique hybrid of a traditional farm and a modern zoo, featuring everything from tractors and farm animals to elephants and lions.
Visit website →Pennywell Farm
Buckfastleigh
An award-winning multi-activity farm famous for its miniature pigs and a high-frequency schedule of hands-on animal experiences.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Cotswold Way
Chipping Campden
164km moderate 10-day hike with 3,300m elevation gain through the heart of the Cotswolds AONB. Path follows the Cotswold Edge escarpment.
Visit website →South West Coast Path
Minehead
1,014km challenging 52-day trek along the coastline with 35,000m elevation gain. The UK's longest national trail covering the entire coast of the South West peninsula.
Visit website →The Ridgeway
Avebury
140km moderate 7-day trek with 1,200m elevation gain. Known as Britain's oldest road, passing through ancient landscapes and Neolithic monuments.
Visit website →Tarka Trail
Braunton
48km easy 4-hour cycling section (of a larger 290km route) with flat terrain. Follows the journey of Tarka the Otter through North Devon. Bike rental: Tarka Trail Cycle Hire (tarkatrailcyclehire.co.uk).
Visit website →The Granite Way
Okehampton
18km moderate 2-hour cycling route with 300m elevation gain. Part of the National Cycle Network Route 27, offering iconic views of Dartmoor. Bike rental: Devon Cycle Hire (devoncyclehire.co.uk).
Visit website →Bristol and Bath Railway Path
Bristol
21km easy 2-hour cycling route with negligible elevation gain. A fully paved, traffic-free path between two historic cities. Bike rental: Blackboy Hill Cycles (blackboyhillcycles.co.uk).
Visit website →The Camel Trail
Padstow
29km easy 3-4 hour cycling route with minimal elevation gain. Follows a disused railway line along the Camel Estuary. Bike rental: Padstow Cycle Hire (padstowcyclehire.com), Bridge Bike Hire (bridgebikehire.co.uk).
Visit website →Two Moors Way
Wembury
188km challenging 11-day hike with significant elevation gain, crossing both Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks from coast to coast.
Visit website →Theme Park / Amusement Park
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Exeter
The largest family theme park in Devon, offering over 60 rides, indoor play areas, and a variety of farm animals for a complete family day out.
Visit website →Grand Pier
Weston-super-Mare
An iconic Somerset landmark offering a vast indoor amusement park with go-karts, thrill rides, and classic seaside arcade games located over the sea.
Visit website →Flambards Village Theme Park
Helston
A unique Cornish destination combining high-speed thrill rides with a world-renowned indoor Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz reconstruction.
Visit website →The Milky Way Adventure Park
Bideford
An award-winning North Devon park featuring roller coasters, droid-themed shows, and some of the largest indoor play areas in the South West.
Visit website →Woodlands Family Theme Park
Totnes
A massive all-weather park in Devon providing diverse entertainment including water slides, zoo farm, and extensive indoor soft play zones.
Visit website →Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Durdle Door
Lulworth
An iconic natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast, offering breathtaking coastal views and a pebble beach for families.
Visit website →Kynance Cove
Helston
Famous for its white sand, turquoise water, and dark serpentine rock formations, this cove is a highlight of the Lizard Peninsula.
Visit website →St Michael's Mount
Marazion
A historic tidal island topped by a medieval castle and church, accessible by a granite causeway at low tide.
Visit website →Fistral Beach
Newquay
Known as the home of British surfing, this wide sandy beach features high-quality waves and a vibrant coastal atmosphere.
Visit website →Old Harry Rocks
Swanage
Distinctive white chalk sea stacks marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, offering panoramic views of the English Channel.
Visit website →Woolacombe Beach
Woolacombe
A multi-award-winning three-mile stretch of golden sand, perfect for families, surfers, and coastal walks.
Visit website →Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
Eden Project
St Austell
A world-famous eco-attraction featuring massive geodesic biomes housing the world's largest indoor rainforest and Mediterranean landscapes.
Visit website →Stourhead
Mere
A world-renowned 18th-century landscape garden centered around a magnificent lake, adorned with classical temples and a grotto.
Visit website →The Lost Gardens of Heligan
St Austell
A mysterious and beautifully restored Victorian estate featuring productive gardens, ancient woodlands, and iconic giant moss-covered earth sculptures.
Visit website →Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Tetbury
A world-leading collection of over 2,500 tree species from across the globe, featuring a spectacular Treetop Walkway and seasonal color displays.
Visit website →Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Weymouth
A unique microclimate garden filled with rare and exotic plants from around the world, known for its colonial-style camellias and hydrangeas.
Visit website →Hidcote Manor Garden
Chipping Campden
One of the UK's most influential 'Arts and Crafts' gardens, famous for its intricate 'outdoor rooms' created by high hedges and colorful borders.
Visit website →RHS Garden Rosemoor
Great Torrington
An enchanting 65-acre garden nestled in a wooded valley, showcasing a stunning variety of roses, herbaceous borders, and formal garden rooms.
Visit website →Major International Festival / Cultural Event
Glastonbury Festival
Pilton
Late June, 5-day contemporary performing arts festival, over 200,000 annual visitors, world-famous music acts across dozens of stages, includes dedicated family areas like the Kidzfield and Theatre & Circus fields.
Visit website →Summer Solstice at Stonehenge
Amesbury
June 20th to 21st, 1-day/night cultural and spiritual celebration, attracts tens of thousands of international visitors to witness the sunrise at the UNESCO World Heritage site, family-friendly gathering focused on heritage and ancient traditions.
Visit website →Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Longleat Safari Park
Warminster
The UK's first safari park features a drive-through experience with lions, tigers, and monkeys alongside a stunning Elizabethan stately home.
Visit website →Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
Wareham
An internationally acclaimed sanctuary rescue center housing over 250 rescued primates including chimpanzees, orangutans, and gibbons.
Visit website →Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
Paignton
A massive 80-acre zoo and botanical garden home to over 2,000 animals set in diverse natural habitats.
Visit website →Newquay Zoo
Newquay
Cornwall's largest zoo set in lush sub-tropical gardens, focusing on endangered species and education.
Visit website →Bristol Zoo Project
Bristol
A growing wildlife conservation park featuring large naturalistic enclosures for giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and brown bears.
Visit website →WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Slimbridge
A world-renowned wetland reserve offering close encounters with rare water birds and flamingos across scenic marshlands.
Visit website →Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
Splashdown Quaywest
Paignton
The UK's largest outdoor waterpark featuring high-speed flumes and slides with views of the English Riviera.
Visit website →Brean Splash Waterpark
Brean
A family-friendly aquatic centre featuring indoor and outdoor pools, a splash zone, and multiple water slides.
Visit website →Dorset Water Park
Corfe Castle
A huge floating inflatable obstacle course set across two lakes with the historic Corfe Castle as a backdrop.
Visit website →Road Trips & Scenic Drives
The Atlantic Highway (A39)
Barnstaple
Approx. 113km (70 miles) paved scenic route (2-3 days) along the A39 from Barnstaple in Devon to Fraddon in Cornwall. The 'Atlantic Highway' is the name for this coastal section of the A39, though the full A39 runs 328km from Bath to Falmouth. Highlights include the rugged coastline of Clovelly, the ruins of Tintagel Castle, the surfing beaches of Newquay, and the wild cliffs of North Cornwall.
The Jurassic Coast Drive
Exmouth
153km paved coastal route (2-3 days) along the UNESCO World Heritage site from Exmouth in Devon to Swanage in Dorset. Key highlights include the limestone arch of Durdle Door, the circular harbor of Lulworth Cove, the fossil beaches of Lyme Regis, and the unique pebble bank of Chesil Beach.
Visit website →Cheddar Gorge (B3135)
Cheddar
24km paved scenic drive (1-2 hours) through the United Kingdom's largest gorge. The route features dramatic 450ft limestone cliffs, tight hairpin turns, and access to the world-famous Gough's Cave. The road transitions from deep ravine to the high plateaus of the Mendip Hills.
Visit website →The Cotswolds Romantic Road
Circular
Approx. 160km paved circular route (1-2 days) starting and ending in Cheltenham. This route visits the quintessential English villages of Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water, passing through the 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' with its characteristic honey-colored stone architecture.
Visit website →The Cotswolds Romantic Road (North Loop)
Cheltenham
72km paved circular route (3-4 hours) through the northern Cotswolds. Highlights include honey-colored stone villages like Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stanway House.
Visit website →The Great West Way
Bristol
Approx. 200km paved touring route (3-7 days) connecting London to Bristol. The South West section focuses on the UNESCO city of Bath, the prehistoric stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury, and the rolling landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds.
Visit website →Natural Hot Spring / Thermal Bath / Historic Bathhouse
Thermae Bath Spa
Bath
A standalone thermal spa complex that allows visitors to bathe in the city's naturally warm, mineral-rich waters. The facility features a landmark open-air rooftop pool (33.5°C), the historic Cross Bath, and the Minerva Bath, all utilizing the same geothermal source that supplied the Romans.
Visit website →Jubilee Pool
Penzance
A striking Art Deco lido that includes the UK's first geothermal pool. This specific section of the pool is heated to 30-35°C using natural heat drawn from a 410-meter deep geothermal well, offering a sustainable mineral-rich outdoor bathing experience on the Cornish coast.
Visit website →Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
The Wave
Bristol
An inland surfing destination featuring a high-tech wave pool that provides consistent surfing conditions for all skill levels.
Visit website →Dorset Adventure Park
Corfe Castle
A purpose-built water park and mud trail located in the valley with spectacular views of the historic Corfe Castle ruins.
Visit website →Mendip Activity Centre
Churchill
A premier outdoor hub in the Mendip Hills offering dry slope skiing, climbing, caving, and target sports for families.
Visit website →Adrenalin Quarry
Liskeard
A former rock quarry transformed into an adventure hub featuring giant swings, zip wires over water, and an inflatable aquapark.
Visit website →River Dart Country Park
Ashburton
Set in 90 acres of parkland, this center offers high ropes, climbing, and water-based activities within the Dartmoor National Park area.
Visit website →Science Museum / Natural History Museum / Discovery Centre
We The Curious
Bristol
An interactive science center featuring over 200 hands-on exhibits and the UK's first 3D planetarium.
Visit website →PK Porthcurno
Penzance
A museum of global communications exploring the science and history of the undersea cables that connected the world.
Visit website →The Dinosaur Museum
Dorchester
The only museum in mainland Britain solely devoted to dinosaurs, featuring skeletons and interactive displays.
Visit website →The Etches Collection
Kimmeridge
A premier fossil museum housing a world-renowned collection of Kimmeridgian Jurassic marine life.
Visit website →Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM)
Exeter
An award-winning museum with diverse natural history galleries showcasing exotic animals and geological wonders.
Visit website →