ABC Britain > Destinations > England > The South West

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The South West

Surfing, Cream teas and King Arthur

The South West has everything a visitor could wish for beautiful countryside, beaches, history, as well as interesting towns and cities. Here you can find ancient stone circles Roman baths, beautiful houses and stately homes as well as architecture from all ages from Norman cathedrals to Georgian houses.

This region is often referred to as the West Country and includes much of the ancient kingdom of Wessex. The largest city is Bristol. Other major centers are Plymouth, Swindon, Gloucester, Exeter, Bath, and the South East Dorset conurbation of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

There are 8 cities: Salisbury, Bath, Wells, Bristol, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth and Truro.

With two National Parks - Dartmoor and Exmoor - and four World Heritage Sites, including Stonehenge and the Jurassic Coast, it is an amazing region to visit

The South West has a particularly strong cultural identity. Cornwall has its own language, Cornish, and it is rich in folklore, with many centuries-old traditions and customs. The legend of King Arthur it shares with Glastonbury and the Tor.

The South West of England is well known for producing Cheddar cheese, which originated in the Somerset village of Cheddar, also for Devon cream teas, crabs, Cornish pasties, and for cider. It is also home to the Eden Project.

Glastonbury Festival attracts thousands of people every year, other attractions include Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, hip-hop music and Cornwall's surfing beaches. The region has by far the longest coastline in England, and is well known for its traditional seaside fishing towns.

Cornwall	Devon	Somerset
Dorset	Wiltshire	Gloucestershire
City and County of Bristol

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Activities in The South West

Tewkesbury Abbey - Benedictine Abbey of Tewkesbury



Pennsylvania - William Penn



Nature in Art - Nature in Art Gallery and Museum



Sudely Castle - Castle House and Gardens

Sherbourne Castle - Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594



Wells Cathedral - Wells Cathedral



Perrygrove - Treehouses Trains and Treasure

Slimbridge - Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Adventure Wonderland - All weather funpark



Painswick Rococo Garden - Painswick Rococo Garden

Compton Acres - Stunning Themed Gardens

Kiftsgate Court Gardens - Three generations of woman gardeners



Bourton House - Bourton House Garden

Westonbirt - Westonbirt House and Gardens

Woodchester Mansion - Woodchester Gothic Mansion



Cotswold Lavender - English Lavender Growers



Dr Jenners House - Home of a Country Doctor

Corinium - Corinium Museum

Fleet Air Arm Museum - Fleet Air Arm Aviation Museum

Gold Hill Museum - Gold Hill Museum



Puzzlewood - Magical woodland in the Forest of Dean

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