South West England Sightseeing & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do in South West England


Stonehenge

Salisbury

  • archeological site
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  • place of worship
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  • open year round
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • English Heritage
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • archeology
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  • history

mysterious circle of standing stones, Europe's best-known prehistoric monument

  • archeological site
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  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
  • -
  • archeology
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  • history
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  • social history

one of the world's best preserved Roman spas, built over a natural hot spring, with an adjoining museum and grand Pump Room restaurant

  • garden
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  • natural landscape
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  • viewpoint
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • film
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  • TV

world famous open-air theatre in stunning cliff-side location, with visitor centre and exotic, sub-tropical, coastal garden. An exhibition tells the life and times of Rowena Cade, the founder

  • natural landscape
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

stunning scenery and natural beauty at Cornwall's most westerly point with cliff top walks, the First & Last House, famous signpost

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • social history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

200 acres of world-renowned 19th century gardens, now restored after decades of neglect, offering secret corners and stunning displays

  • historic house
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  • place of worship
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion

one of Europe's finest medieval buildings with Britain's tallest spire, also home to one of four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café

hailed as a quintesssentially, English garden, this 'Great Garden of the World' boasts over 2000 different roses and over 1/4 million tulips, all set beside the 12th Century Abbey Church in the centre of Malmesbury

  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

world famous, global garden where visitors learn about plants and nature, with hands on exhibits and regular events

  • garden
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

some of the most creatively inspiring and innovative gardens to visit in the UK. Each garden has its own distinctive character dotted with beautiful structures and unique sculptures and including a wildflower meadow and kitchen garden

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
  • -
  • nature
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  • wildlife

popular family attraction with animal petting and feeding, undercover play area, pony rides, goat racing and walking. Fun for all the family

  • aquarium
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop

with over 40 naturally themed habitats, an underwater tunnel and interactive educational displays, this is the ultimate underseas safari

  • natural landscape
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • cycling
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

miles of trails in this mixed woodland, popular with dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders with stunning viewpoints, picnic and BBQ areas

Longleat House

Warminster

  • art gallery
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  • film/tv location
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  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • park
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  • zoo
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • social history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

lose yourself in the world's longest hedge maze, visit the Elizabethan stately home or drive through the world famous safari park

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage
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  • transport
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  • boats

beautifully restored first world class ocean liner with First Class Dining Saloon, steerage quarters, Engine Room and audio visual exhibits of passengers' lives

  • fortress
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  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • place of worship
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • religion
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

historic island, linked to mainland by causeway and surmounted by former Benedictine Abbey with medieval castle and gardens creating a micro climate in which all sorts of unlikely plants flourish

  • art gallery
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • art

modern art gallery, presenting three special exhibitions each year, with the accent on the St Ives School of Art

  • garden
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

created in the 17th Century, this lovely unspoilt garden, positioned high on the Cotswolds, commands spectacular views across the former deer park to extensive woodland. Two double mixed borders provide interest from spring to autumn

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop

set in 90 acres with a variety of rides and attractions to suit all ages with a large indoor play centre, wildlife sanctuary, falconry centre and big fun farm

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

attractions for all the family from the adventure playground, to go karts, with farmyard animals, a maze and character shows in the Alice Theatre

Arnolfini

Bristol

  • art gallery
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • art

in a fantastic waterside location at the heart of Bristol's harbour side, Arnolfini is one of Europe's leading centres for the contemporary arts. Art exhibitions, a cinema, live art and dance there is always something new to see

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