The Best South West England Attractions & Activities

Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, is a prehistoric stone circle over 4,500 years old. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s famed for its mystery, ancient rituals, and alignment with the solstice sun. Visitors can explore the stones and nearby Neolithic landscape.

The Eden Project in Cornwall features massive biomes housing rainforest and Mediterranean habitats. This striking eco-attraction combines lush gardens, interactive exhibits and sustainable design, showcasing the wonders of nature and innovation.

Longleat in Wiltshire is a grand stately home and the UK’s first safari park. Renowned for its Elizabethan architecture, landscaped grounds, and wildlife drives featuring lions, elephants, and more, it blends heritage with family adventure.

The Roman Baths in Bath are a well-preserved ancient bathing complex built around natural hot springs. Visitors can explore the Great Bath, temple ruins, and museum displays, offering a glimpse into Roman life and the city’s spa heritage.

Salisbury Cathedral is a masterpiece of Early English Gothic architecture, famed for Britain’s tallest spire and the best-preserved original Magna Carta. Surrounded by a vast close, it offers soaring interiors and peaceful green spaces.

Arnolfini in Bristol is a leading centre for contemporary art, hosting exhibitions, performances and film screenings. Set on the harbourside, it’s a vibrant hub for modern culture and creativity.

The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in St Ives preserves the artist’s former home and studio. Surrounded by lush gardens, it showcases her striking modernist sculptures in the very setting where she created them.

Bath Abbey, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is famed for its fan vaulting, stained glass and soaring towers. Standing at the heart of the city, it offers worship, music and heritage in an inspiring historic setting.

Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay showcases marine life from Cornwall’s coast to tropical seas. With walk-through ocean tunnels, coral displays, and fascinating sea creatures, it’s an engaging, family-friendly glimpse beneath the waves.

Chysauster Ancient Village, near Penzance, is a remarkably preserved Iron Age settlement. Its stone courtyard houses and lanes reveal how people lived 2,000 years ago amid sweeping views of the Cornish countryside.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge & Museum in Bristol celebrate Brunel’s engineering triumph. The bridge offers breathtaking Avon Gorge views, while the museum explores its design, construction and lasting legacy.

Clovelly in Devon is a unique, privately owned village with steep cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages, and no cars. Overlooking the Bristol Channel, it’s famed for its timeless charm, donkey transport, and picturesque harbour.

Cotehele, near Saltash, is a beautifully preserved Tudor house set above the River Tamar. With medieval interiors, gardens, and a working mill, it offers an atmospheric journey through centuries of Cornish history.

Exeter Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, famed for its ornate West Front and the world’s longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling. Inside are medieval carvings, a 15th-century astronomical clock, and beautiful stained glass.

Geevor Tin Mine, near Pendeen, is a preserved mining site offering underground tours and interactive exhibits. Set on Cornwall’s rugged coast, it vividly tells the story of the county’s tin mining heritage and community life.

Glastonbury Tor, rising above the Somerset Levels, is a legendary hill crowned by St Michael’s Tower. Steeped in myth and history, it offers breathtaking views and a sense of spiritual tranquillity.

Godolphin, near Helston, is a historic Cornish estate with a Tudor manor, tranquil gardens, and ancient woodlands. Once a powerful mining estate, it offers peaceful walks, panoramic views, and a glimpse into Cornwall’s rich past.

Greenway in Devon, Agatha Christie’s riverside retreat, showcases her family treasures amid tranquil woodland gardens. Overlooking the River Dart, it offers a peaceful insight into the author’s life and surroundings.

Lanhydrock in Cornwall is a magnificent Victorian country house set within wooded parkland. Known for its grand architecture, extensive servants’ quarters, and formal gardens, it offers a vivid glimpse into upstairs and downstairs life.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall are a vast restored Victorian estate with jungle-like valleys, romantic woodlands, walled gardens and iconic sculptures like the Mud Maid. A magical blend of history, nature and artistry.