Places to Visit, Things to Do and Days Out in South West England
Britain's Finest Places to Visit, Things to Do and Days Out in South West England are listed below.
Haynes International Motor Museum (Museum / Art Gallery)
Sparkford, Somerset
Exhibits include Schumacher´s F1 Ferrari, a Jaguar XJ220 supercar, a Dodge Viper and a large collection of American cars... more
Trerice (Historic House)
Kestle Mill, Newquay, Cornwall
It houses fine fireplaces, oak and walnut furniture, interesting clocks, needlework and Stuart portraits. The garden has some unusual plants and the orchard has old varieties... more
Devon Guild of Craftsmen (Attraction / Activity)
Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, Devon
There is a varied programme of exciting exhibitions and events throughout the year featuring a wide range of craft, design and applied arts including metalwork, print,... more
Otterton Mill Centre & Working Museum (Museum / Art Gallery)
Budleigh Salterton, Devon
Crafts, exhibitions, events, courses in environmental and art topics... more
Saltram (Garden)
Plympton, Plymouth, Devon
Lots of early spring colour from bulbs and shrubs give way to areas of wild flowers and herbaceous plants underplanting huge and ancient trees. Many varied... more
Royal West of England Academy (Museum / Art Gallery)
Queen's Road, Clifton, Bristol
The RWA's aim is to promote excellence and enjoyment of the visual arts. It was Bristol's first art gallery, built at its current site in 1858... more
Lynton & Barnstaple Narrow Gauge Steam Railway (Attraction / Activity)
Woody Bay Station, Martinhoe Cross, Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon
The railway is now owned by a charitable trust, and almost all work is carried out by unpaid volunteers. The eventual aim is to re-open the... more
Ocean Spa (Spa)
Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Soar Mill Cove, Marlborough, Salcombe, Devon
Relax on the loungers on the sun deck or take a stroll allong the unspoilt sandy beach of Soar Mill Cove. For the more energetic there... more
Trengwainton Garden (Garden)
Madron, Penzance, Cornwall
The walled gardens contain many rare and unusual species, which are difficult to grow in the open anywhere else in the country. Many of the plants... more
The Eden Project (Attraction / Activity)
Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall
Its home is a dramatic global garden the size of thirty football pitches, nestling like a lost world in a crater overlooking St Austell Bay. Outside... more
Wells Cathedral (Attraction / Activity)
Cathedral Offices Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset
It is one of the most impressive of the English cathedrals and has survived eight centuries with all its associated buildings still around it - the... more
Fleet Air Arm Museum (Museum / Art Gallery)
RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Yeovil, Somerset
There are four display halls that portray the development of Naval aviation from World War I to the Gulf War. Inside the Museum you can go... more
Trelissick Garden (Garden)
Feock, Truro, Cornwall
At its heart is the 20 acre garden, set on many levels, with fine open lawns, a superb collection of tender and exotic plants, providing year-round... more
Bonython Estate Gardens (Garden)
Bonython Estate, Cury Cross Lanes, Helston, Cornwall
The herbaceous borders of the walled garden are lined with alliums, catmint and carefully selected varieties that enhance the blue, purple, yellow colour themes. Indulge in... more
Exeter Cathedral (Attraction / Activity)
1 The Cloisters, Exeter, Devon
Guided tours operate when services are not taking place... more
Charlestown Shipwreck & Heritage Centre (Museum / Art Gallery)
Charlestown, St Austell, Cornwall
The museum showcases artefacts and exhibitions from many famous eras, including the years of the British Empire, both World Wars and the sinking of the Titanic,... more
Geevor Tin Mine (Museum / Art Gallery)
Pendeen, Penzance, Cornwall
The Miners Dry can be seen almost as it was in 1990 when the last miner left the site. Walk through the Mill and learn how... more
Tintagel Castle (Attraction / Activity)
Tintagel, Cornwall
Long before the castle was built, Tintagel was associated with the legend of King Arthur and today there are still so many unanswered questions and legends... more
Bosvigo (Garden)
Bosvigo Lane, Truro, Cornwall
A series of walled or enclosed `rooms´ surround the mellow Georgian house (not open to the public). Each `room´ has its own colour theme... more
Montacute House (Garden)
Montacute, Yeovil, Somerset
Most memorable is the formal sunken lawn beside the house, fringed with borders of rich pinks and purples and backed by balustraded, pinnacled walls and fine... more
West Somerset Railway (Attraction / Activity)
The Railway Station, Minehead, Somerset
Just sit back in your seat and watch the steam and the countryside drift past the window. The West Somerset Railway seeks to recreate the atmosphere... more
The Carlyon Bay Hotel Spa (Spa)
St Austell, Cornwall
Combine this with over 40 indulgent treatments and you will leave feeling relaxed, revived and refreshed... more
RHS Garden Rosemoor (Garden)
Great Torrington, Devon
From Lady Anne´s original garden to the Rose Gardens (with over 200 varieties), the Fruit and Vegetable Garden, the Arboretum, Lake and Bog Garden, there is... more
The Bishop´s Palace and Gardens (Historic House)
Wells, Somerset
Behind the 13th century building lies 14 acres of gardens, springs and an arboretum, with plenty of space to really relax. A delicious range of home... more
Caerhays Castle Gardens (Garden)
Gorran, St Austell, Cornwall
This peaceful, tranquil garden covers approx. 100 acres and is at its best in March and April... more
World of Country Life (Attraction / Activity)
Sandy Bay, Littleham, Exmouth, Devon
Why not take a walk back in time down Memory Lane and explore our Victorian street, featuring memorabilia from years gone by. We have the largest... more
Bristol Zoo Gardens (Attraction / Activity)
Clifton, Bristol
Visitors will come face to face with over 400 species of exotic, endangered and adorable animals from the four corners of the globe. Visitors to Bristol... more
Antony (Historic House)
Torpoint, Plymouth, Cornwall
On display are furniture, tapestries, and an extensive collection of family portraits and memorabilia. The grounds were landscaped by Repton and the formal garden has the... more
Poldark Mine & Heritage Complex (Attraction / Activity)
Poldark Mine, Wendron, Helston, Cornwall
Evening Ghost Tours of the candle lit Mine run on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July and August... more
Wookey Hole Caves (Attraction / Activity)
Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset
The 19th Century Paper Mill houses a variety of fascinating attractions including the Victorian Penny Arcade, Magical Mirror Maze, Hall of Crazy Mirrors, New Cave Museum,... more
Hartland Abbey (Historic House)
Hartland, Bideford, Devon
Fascinating collections of furniture, porcelain and paintings are on display, and the collection of Victorian and Edwardian photographs show life here as it was in the... more
Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon (Museum / Art Gallery)
The Square, Barnstaple, Devon
Also on display is 17th century pewter, C. H... more
SeaQuarium (Attraction / Activity)
Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Walk under the waves, see Sharks, Rays, Seahorses, Lionfish and many, many more creatures close up! Children can take part in the Discovery Trail Quiz and... more
Purity Treatment Rooms (Spa)
Polurrian Hotel, Mullion, Helston, Cornwall
Facilities include indoor heated pool, gym, Jacuzzi, games room, tennis court and mini golf. However you choose to spend your time there are options both for... more
Woodlands Family Theme Park (Attraction / Activity)
Blackawton, Dartmouth, Devon
50 for a full day of fun. Ride the fantastic Sea Dragon Swing Ship, Steer big U-Drive Tractors around the track, toddlers have fun tractoring round... more
Tiverton Castle (Historic House)
Tiverton, Devon
Fascinating history. Once home of the poweful medieval Earls of Devon and a Plantagenet princess, besieged by Fairfax during the Civil War, it is now a... more
National Marine Aquarium (Attraction / Activity)
Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth, Devon
Visit Britain´s biggest, Europe´s deepest, UK´s best Aquarium. The National Marine Aquarium was the first aquarium in the United Kingdom to be set up solely for... more
Saltram House (Historic House)
Plympton, Plymouth, Devon
The fine collection of paintings includes work by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Angelica Kauffmann. The house also contains fine original period furniture, china, pictures and a... more
National Maritime Museum Cornwall (Museum / Art Gallery)
Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall
Discover powerful emotions and the power of the oceans. Explore feats of daring and feats of engineering... more
The Haven Spa (Spa)
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel, South Street, Woolacombe, Devon
With dedicated treatment rooms we create a little haven of relaxation, where you may indulge in the luxurious treatments from our prestigious Elemis skincare range... more
Ocean Spa @ Bedruthan (Spa)
Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall
The signature Maharlika treatments are becoming legendary and offer a deeply relaxing and therapeutic massage using Thai, Balinese and Shiatsu techniques... more
Knightshayes Garden (Garden)
Bolham, Tiverton, Devon
Famous and deliciously simple pool garden inside hedges. There is a fully productive Victorian walled garden and attractive woodland walks leading through the grounds... more
American Museum in Britain (Museum / Art Gallery)
Claverton Manor, Bath, Bath & Northeast Somerset
Each year there is a temporary exhibition and also a programme of events. The grounds contain an arboretum of American trees and shrubs as well as... more
Fistral Spa (Spa)
The Bay Hotel, Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
Designed to ensure you are enveloped with soothing sounds, scents and sights from the moment you arrive, Fistral Spa creates a personal and peaceful ambiance for... more
Prideaux Place (Historic House)
Padstow, Cornwall
Fine paintings and furniture are on display including two exotic Rococo mirrors in the drawing room. The screen in the Dining Room is filled with marquetry... more
Buckfast Abbey (Attraction / Activity)
Buckfastleigh, Devon
The impressive grounds have immaculate lawns and fine old stone buildings... more
The Donkey Sanctuary (Attraction / Activity)
Sidmouth, Devon
The Donkey Sanctuary´s aim is to prevent the suffering of donkeys worldwide, through the provision of high quality, professional advice, training and support on donkey welfare.... more
Glo Spa (Spa)
Treglos Hotel, Constantine Bay, Padstow, Cornwall
Very popular are our mini spa breaks which allow you to enjoy treatments at a great discount plus relaxing and enjoying all Treglos has to offer... more
Stone Lane Gardens Arboretum (Garden)
Chagford, Newton Abbot, Devon
Popular sculpture exhibition held in garden during summer... more
Trebah Garden (Garden)
Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall
Huge Australian tree ferns and palms mingle with shrubs of ever changing colours and scent beneath over-arching canopy of 100-year-old rhododendrons and magnolias. A giant plantation... more