South West |
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.
Attractions
Salisbury Cathedral
The city of Salisbury is dominated by the spire of its famous cathedral, the tallest in England at 404ft (123m). Started in 1220 the cathedral was completed by 1258, the Spire added a few years later. Built to reflect the glory of God in stone and glass, this majestic and awe-inspiring church has been a setting for many great occasions over 775 years. The grounds of the cathedral contain many notable houses open to the public. Mompesson House is a perfectly preserved 18th century home and Malmesbury House was once the sanctuary for King Charles II, fleeing the Battle of Worcester in the 17th century.
Website: www.salisburycathedral.org.uk; Opening time: Daily from 7.15am to 6.15pm. From 11 June to 24 August open till 7.15pm, except Sundays; Admission: Cathedral: entry by donation
Stonehenge
No other site in England presents the viewer with such grandeur and mystery, nor sparks the imagination so much as this circle of stones in Wiltshire. Writers, adventurers, historians and conquerors have all tried to answer the question, 'Who built Stonehenge?' resulting in tales and fables of Druids, Merlin and King Arthur, ancient giants roaming the countryside and a highly evolved prehistoric race of men. Yet the question of who, or indeed what, managed to drag several 20-ton stones more than 240 miles (386km) from North Wales, across steep hills to be aligned with mathematical and astronomical precision 5,000 years ago remains unanswered.
Address: Two miles (3km) from Amesbury on A303 and A344/A360 junction; Telephone: (0)1980 624 715; Website: www.stonehenge.co.uk; Transport: Stonehenge is just off the A303, 20 minutes from Salisbury; Opening time: Daily 9am to 7pm (June to August), 9.30am to 6pm (16 March to 31 May, and 1 September to 15 October), 9.30am to 4pm (16 October to 15 March), 10am to 4pm (Boxing Day and New Years Day). Closed 24 and 25 December; Admission: £6.30 (adults), £3.20 (children); other concessions available
The Eden Project
The Eden Project’s aim is to examine the ways in which human beings interact with their environment, with a special focus on the plant world, in order to develop new ways of sustainable development by spearheading new conservation methods. Owned by a charity called the Eden Trust, the project consists of several specially created conservatories, the largest in the world, built into a giant crater in Cornwall. The Eden Project is more than a theme park, as it presents visitors with an opportunity to explore the plant kingdom, and examine our dependence on it.
Address: Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall (four miles/six km to the east of St Austell, signposted from the A30, A390 and A391); Telephone: (0)1726 811 911; Website: www.edenproject.com; Transport: Buses run daily from St Austell, Newquay, Falmouth and Truro; a combined bus/admission ticket can be purchased on the bus; Opening time: From 4 November till 16 March open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4.30pm, Friday and Saturday till 9pm and until 6pm on Sunday. From 17 March till 3 November open daily from 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. Closed 24 and 25 December; Admission: £14 (adults), £5 (children 5-15); various concessions available
Events
Cheltenham Festival of Literature
The Cheltenham Festival of Literature has the claim to the longest running festival of literature in the world. The festival sees tens of thousands of book lovers and a host of celebrities from film, theatre, political and of course, literary circles, grace the picturesque town making it one of the largest festivals of its kind in Europe. Workshops and lectures by writers and scholars from all over the world take place at different venues around the town. The festival is sponsored by The Times.
Venue: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire; Date: 10-19 October 2008; Website: www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk
The largest festival of music in the United Kingdom sees over 100,000 in attendance each year. The biggest names in music attract weekenders and day visitors to the muddy fields outside the town of Glastonbury. The festival has a heritage with arts and crafts, comedy and cabaret too. The festivities usually take place over the last weekend in June.
Venue: Worthy Farm, near the town of Glastonbury; Date: 27-29 June 2008; Website: www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk