The south west region of England is picture-perfect - fitting
the stereotype one has of the English countryside of rolling green
hills, wild moors, quaint historic towns and rugged coastlines. It
is no wonder that Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth and
Samuel Taylor Coleridge drew inspiration from the area.
The south west is home to some fascinating historical sites,
including the legendary Stonehenge and the mysterious Avebury Stone
Circles, both in Wiltshire, as well as dozens of slightly younger
abbeys and cathedrals (including the Salisbury Cathedral). Since
1970, the Glastonbury Festival has drawn thousands of music lovers
to a farm just outside the town of Glastonbury in Somerset to enjoy
hundreds of top artists, as well as theatre, comedy, artwork and
more, all in a Woodstock-style setting. Not only famous for its
music festivals and Cheddar cheese, however, Somerset also boasts
such sites as the Exmoor National Park and Cheddar Gorge, with its
myriad of caves that are well worth exploring.
Devon and Cornwall, on the tip of south west England, boast some
of the most spectacular and unspoilt scenery in the country. The
south coast of Devon is known as the English Riviera, and its major
town is Plymouth, whose famous naval docks are still home to the
Royal Navy. It was here in 1588 that Sir Francis Drake finished his
game of bowls before setting off to defeat the Spanish Armada. A
few years later, in 1620, the Mayflower left Plymouth for the New
World carrying the Pilgrim Fathers.
On the border with Cornwall, visitors will discover the rugged
wilderness of Dartmoor National Park where wild ponies and hikers
roam freely across a dramatic landscape dotted with tors and
pre-historic remains. England's most south-westerly county,
Cornwall is a popular destination for British tourists drawn by the
beautiful countryside and a craggy coastline pitted with small
fishing villages and glorious white sandy beaches.
The south west is filled with fascinating sights and sounds,
from small towns to vibrant cities, from stately cathedrals to
Neolithic sites, all set in the lush English countryside. The
region is a must on any trip to the UK and visitors will not be
disappointed.
