With some of the most spectacular and unspoilt scenery in the country, you’ll definitely be spoilt with a choice of delights that await your visit. Whatever your taste, you’ll find plenty of attractions and activities with miles of safe sandy beaches, caves and castles to explore, kite surfing, diving, sailing, mountain biking and coasteering. For an adrenaline filled break why not go 4x4 driving, canoeing or surfing, or perhaps you would like to take it a bit easier and relax on some scenic beaches or visit England's finest historic homes which are protected by the National Trust. Whatever you decide, a great bed and breakfast in South West of England is waiting to greet you!
Explore Gloucestershire’s and the surrounding countryside, famous for the many Cotswold towns and villages and see how beautiful and enchanting the South West of England really is. A stop off at Gloucester, a beautiful town nestled in the foothills of the Bucketts Mountains is a must. You’ll find it the perfect place to relax and unwind and for the angler there are many pristine rivers to fish and spend a peaceful day. From the dramatic mountain ranges you can admire breathtaking views of beautiful rivers and valleys. Some of its nearby attractions include the 840 year old 'Berkley Castle' and 'Tewkesbury Abbey' which is over 500 years old with the tallest Norman tower in England. Activities include golf, bowls, skydiving, horse riding and canoeing and a visit to the Aboriginal Art Centre, the Folk Museum or the Gloucester Art Gallery is guaranteed to be enjoyable.
Wiltshire has a multitude of exciting attractions, but perhaps Britain's greatest national icon is the ancient monument of Stonehenge, situated majestically in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the open downland of Salisbury Plains, it symbolizes power, endurance and remains a mystery. It has inspired awe, grandeur and fascination and there is nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world. Built between 3000BC and 1500BC it has drawn visitors over the centuries that come to marvel at such an amazing feat of awesome stone engineering, the highlight is the annual druids summer solstice celebrations. Other local places of interest are the pretty town of Swindon with its glorious parkland. Stroll around Coate Water Country Park with a 56-acre lake and during the summer months coarse fishing is available, or try Riverside Park as it allows access onto the Thames Trail and is highly recommended. If you like seeing wild beasts, then the Cotswold Wildlife Park, situated in 160 acres of parkland offers a wide variety of animals from around the world, including rhinos, Asiatic lions, leopards and primates, however the gardens are a major feature of the park. Salisbury is a stunning medieval city with the majestic and awe-inspiring church, Salisbury Cathedral with its dominating and highest spire in England at 404feet. Building started in 1220 and was completed by 1258, it was meant to reflect the glory of God in stone and glass. The grounds are open to the public with preserved 18th century notable houses to view such as Malmesbury House once King Charles II’s sanctuary after fleeing the Battle of Worcester in the 17th century. Experience close encounters with some of the world’s most amazing exotic animal in the open as you drive through Longleat Safari Park and visit the beautiful Elizabethan stately home of Lord Bath.
Somerset's largest seaside resort is set on the edge of Exmoor National Park and is a perfect place to visit for traditional seaside family fun. Somerset, famous for its cheeses and cider, is home to the smallest city in England, Wells, which has one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country. Taunton, known to hold one of the largest cattle markets in the country, offers beautiful countryside, excellent shopping and leisure facilities and Somerset is also famous for its annual pop festival 'Glastonbury Festival' which attracts top International music performers. Nearby is Britain’s largest gorge, the Cheddar Gorge Caves, steeped in fascinating historical and archaeological facts particularly since the discovery of a 9000-year old skeleton. Also nearby stands one of the greatest Abbeys in England, Glastonbury Abbey. Traditionally the oldest above ground Christian church in the world and associated with magic and mystery for thousands of years. In the grounds a notice board marks the spot of King Arthur's final resting place. Visit the world famous Tor on Maze Hill, an Ancient Holy Well and Pilgrimage Site full of myth and legend and of course the tower of the ancient church of St. Michael from the top of the Tor where you can enjoy superb scenery.
Exmoor National Park has its own special blessings because it lies in a beautiful coastline of rugged cliffs with a diversity of endless and ancient farmsteads, historic buildings, old churches, tiny hamlets and showpiece villages of thatched cottages set on the banks of the River Lyn, some of which have inspired artists to paint magnificent pictures. The old Saxon town of Dulverton is a true Exmoor gem, it is a lively municipality of winding, medieval streets crammed with attractive buildings and interesting shops, galleries and inviting little cafés, all of which you may well have noted in the recent film 'Land Girls'. There are splendid reservoirs and nature reserves, a falconry and animal park, the West Somerset Steam Railway, Exmoor Zoo, museums, ancient sites and monuments, castles, historic houses, rivers with sea fishing trips for all ages, not forgetting the best treat of all has to be Exmoor's wealth of wildlife and the sight of grazing deer and the incredible shaggy Exmoor ponies. Relax in comfortable and stylish bed and breakfast in South West of England and make your vacation one to remember.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning 250-feet-high over the awesome Avon Gorge between Clifton and Leigh Woods at 702-feet-long, is the symbol of the city of Bristol, designed and built in 1836 by the brilliant young civil engineer one Isambard Kingdom Brunel. For almost 150 years this Grade I listed structure has attracted visitors from all over the world. The roads and country lanes take you through magical little places that have remained untouched and immaculately preserved throughout the ages, and if you like steam ships, then visit SS Great Britain a unique survivor from Victorian times and forerunner of all modern shipping: the world's first iron-hulled, screw propeller-driven, steam-powered passenger liner and after her refit she will be on show from July 2005 and would gracefully take her place as one of the world’s most exciting and accessible historic ships. Boat trips are available on the River Avon and in Bristol's Floating Harbour and shouldn’t go amiss. During the trip you can stop off at riverside pubs and tea gardens and float through the Avon Gorge to Avonmouth and to the southern edge of the Cotswolds and finally Bath, one of the world’s most beautiful Georgian cities with Roman remains to explore.
Visit Dorchester for its awe-inspiring charm and the coastal towns with a 75 mile long golden shore, dotted with unspoilt rural villages and picturesque countryside. For sun seekers, a trip to Bournmouth with its miles of stunning smooth sands is a must and for families furthermore it offers some of the best entertainment available on the south coast. Other places of interest are the historic Sherborne Castle built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, the all Tree Walk, Beaulieu National Motor Museum, New Forrest Butterfly Farm, Knoll Gardens and nearby Compton Acres are all worth a visit. Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of sailing a catamaran? You can take instructions from Royal Yachting Association's syllabus in Dorset where you’ll also find various activities like canoeing and other exciting water sports opportunities.
Stop in the county of Devon and admire some of the world’s prettiest fishing ports, Clovelly is one of the most famous villages in the world with traffic free cobbled streets with an abundance of flower-strewn cottages tumbling down a 400 foot cliff that should be on any visitor’s itinerary. Whatever you do don’t miss the very tasty traditional Devon Cream Tea, an ancient Devon culinary delight heritage enriched by its own unique ingredients. The south coast of Devon is known as the English Riviera with some of the most spectacular and unspoilt sea scenery in the country, the major town here is Plymouth, whose famous naval docks are still home to the Royal Navy. In the town of Exeter, apart from Exeter Cathedral, you’ll find theme parks full of hell-raising rides and fun for all the family, caves, caverns and rock features, animal attractions and working farms, gardens, nature reserves, maritime museum and art gallery, or you can enjoy cruises and fishing trips on the River Exe. There are excellent amenities and hiking trails through wooded forests, hills and valleys with spectacular scenery and guided walks along the spectacular coastal footpaths. Torquay, a favourite seaside town is also the birthplace of Dame Agatha Christie, the most popular crime writer of all time. Whilst Devon boasts some of England’s finest beaches, it is also a magnet for surfing at Croyde Bay with great consistent waves. Other pursuits include 4x4 driving, golf, fishing, hiking and antique shopping.
North of Plymouth is where the Dartmoor National Park is located and the famous beauty spot, Becky Falls Woodland Park with its huge oak canopy, cascading waterfalls, wild landscape, massive granite boulders and impressive wildlife discovery trails with sweeping views and some of the most scenic and enjoyable walks in the South West as well as many attractions catering for children. It is truly a magical mystery and overwhelming splendour of marshy bogs and rolling moorland, heritage sites, waterfalls, rivers and unique hills and valleys. Don’t forget to see the hardy ponies as kids will love them and the Miniture Pony Centre, the Dart Valley Railway and the Hound Tor Medieval Village that goes back before Domesday times.
Explore the stunning, unspoilt coastline of South West Cornwall dotted with small idyllic fishing villages and glorious sandy beaches also ideal for surfing. It’s a magical mix of soaring craggy cliffs and peaceful coves, valleys and hills it offers supremely beautiful landscaped countryside. The coast on either side of this peninsula is one of the most truly breathtaking in Britain. Visit unspoilt areas, 60 miles of dramatic Atlantic Heritage Coast with rugged cliffs, coves, market towns, farmsteads and the enchanting Bodmin Moor. Travel the lanes by foot or enjoy the tandem bikes and tricycles to Lands End the southern most tip of Britain, there’s a huge choice of golf, fishing and sightseeing and so much more. Other places of interest include the Seal Sanctuary, Flambards Theme Park and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Truro is Cornwall's capital with its marvellous examples of Georgian architecture and if you stroll down Lemon Street, you’ll see it is one of the best-preserved Georgian streets in England, also check out the town’s neo-Gothic cathedral and enjoy good English food and a pint of good English ale in one of the pretty pubs. Hike to the Lizard Peninsula, the most southerly point in Britain and experience rare species of plant and unusually coloured rocks along the many walking trails. A popular destination is the amazing Eden Project at St Austell a project consisting of several specially created conservatories, the largest in the world and built into a giant crater. Stay at charming and friendly bed and breakfast in South West of England for a memorable and interesting vacation with a myriad of things to see and do, the list is endless!
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