Top Attractions in South West England: Things to See and Do

This article was written in December 2022 for the Winter 2022 Edition of Education Choices Magazine. 

South West England is home to a treasure-trove of sights and landmarks, with activities for the whole family to enjoy. Mostly known for its beaches and seaside amenities, as well as stunning sea views, there will never be a dull day should you wish to venture out for a visit. 

The Roman Baths

The Roman Baths are an absolute must-see should you ever find yourself in their aptly named city: a visit to Bath will allow you to explore the ancient Roman ruins of their great religious spa. People of Roman Britain came from all over to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva here and relax in the water heated by natural thermal springs. The City of Bath itself is a World Heritage Site, rich in culture and history. It is also the location in which a lot of popular historical dramas are filmed – a walking tour of the locations used for the filming of the Netflix TV show Bridgerton, for example, can easily be found online!

Salisbury Cathedral 

Home of the tallest spire in Britain (about 404 feet tall), this cathedral also holds one of only four original 1215 copies of the Magna Carta. This famous document - which was the first of its kind to establish that the king was, in fact, not above the law - is exhibited, with plenty of information for you to learn about its origins and influence over our society even today. Its beautiful interior also houses the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. Throughout the year, a variety of musical performances and events take place within the Cathedral, so it’s worth checking their calendar to see what’s on. 

Stonehenge 

This iconic British monument is truly incredible to see in-person. As one of the world’s most famous places, the stone circle is a mysterious testament to human ability and genius. Though it was thought to be completed roughly 3500 years ago, no one knows quite when, why or how it was constructed – there have been many theories from human sacrifice to astronomy. There is a small charge to be able to visit, and visitors are unable to walk through the stones themselves. Stonehenge is open every day of the year apart from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

South West Coast Path

This takes hikers (both casual and serious alike) along a stunning coastal footpath about 1014 kilometres (630 miles) long. From Minehead in Somerset, the path winds around Devon and Cornwall before eventually culminating at Poole Harbour in Dorset. Its total cumulative height is apparently four times the height of Mount Everest! It also passes through two world heritage sites: the Dorset and East Devon Coast (more famously known as the Jurassic Coast). Looked after by a charity aptly known as the South West Coast Path Association, the path can be easily navigated through the use of the many resources their website offers. This includes a ’52-day itinerary’, in which they split the monstrous journey up into more manageable chunks and routes based on a more leisurely speed of walking. But don’t feel that you have to complete the whole thing if you’re only passing through for a short trip! The views are enough for some visitors, and you can easily tackle the path with the rest of the family with walks as long or as short as you wish. 

Bournemouth Beach 

Recently ranked as the most child-friendly beach for families in England by Twinkl, Bournemouth Beach is a beautiful staple of the English coast. Complete with beach-front shops and restaurants, a lazy day can be spent strolling up and down the sand or playing in the waves – though there may only be a select few weeks in the summer when the water is warm enough for a dip!

Paignton Zoo 

As one of the country’s top zoos since it first opened its doors to the public in 1923, Paignton Zoo is now run by the Wild Planet Trust charity. They are committed to protecting endangered species of animals and plants alike, promoting education and sustainability above all else at the heart of their mission. The zoo is home to nearly 4000 animals, and sprawls over 80 acres of land. It is recommended to buy tickets online in advance of visiting via their website, as visitors will not be able to buy tickets for the online price at the tills. Students and senior tickets are discounted, with under 3s allowed in free of charge.  

Adrenalin Quarry 

A unique, action-packed activity for more adventurous families, this is not a day out for the faint of heart. Their slogan, “throwing people off cliffs since 2009”, is a reference to their zip wire, which starts at the top of the quarry’s cliff and has you flying out over their lake. Other activities available include a giant swing, an aquapark, go-karting and axe throwing. 

Age limits vary for each activity, but both “The Zip” and the giant swing are available for visitors of all ages (provided they meet the minimum weight requirements). There is no entry fee to take in the sights of the stunning quarry – a pay per ride operation is in place instead.   

Eden Project 

This Cornwall attraction can easily be recognised by its iconic white domes, often given the title of ‘the Eighth Wonder of the World’. Each of the domes encompass a different tropical biome roughly the size of 30 football pitches. The Rainforest Biome is particularly impressive as the world’s largest greenhouse. Its 30-acre outdoor garden is not to be missed either, though. Kids will without a doubt be kept entertained by the variety of play areas and hidden trails for them to run around and explore. A fascinating and family-friendly day out, the Eden Project is unmatched in terms of its educational value. The plants and exhibitions on display are constantly changing year by year as well as season by season too, so you can visit again and again and still be just as awe-struck as your very first time. A definite must-see! 

Dartmoor National Park

A beautiful natural space, the park has one request: “Leave no trace. Give nature space.” Committed to the protection of natural wildlife, the sprawling hills and dense greenery cover 47,400 hectares and are free to enter, with no opening or closing times. Horses are allowed to roam freely and can usually be seen grazing in large groups. But be careful and don’t try approaching them – they can bite! Visitors can wild camp in designated areas and can even wild swim in its rivers, provided they are not on private land. The wide, open spaces are perfect for hiking or leisurely strolls to take in the views. 

Exeter City Walls and Cathedral 

Exeter is a city rich with history and culture. Its West Quarter or cobbled Gandy Street especially are a chocolate box of small independent shops, cafes and bars for you to peruse. 

Surrounded by miles of countryside, the city is also home to ancient monuments such as its Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic structure which dates back to the 11th century. Its ribbed ceiling in particular is impressive to behold. The city walls are not to be missed either – around 70% of the original walls are still standing, parts of which are almost 2000 years old. A self-guided trail can easily be picked up from the city’s Visitor Information centre, complete with activities and puzzles for children to explore along the way. 

Babbacombe Model Village 

This is truly a unique attraction – found across four acres of gardens in Torquay, Babbacombe Model Village creates a miniature village complete with over 400 models of buildings ranging from well-known monuments such as Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to small restaurants and neighbourhoods. Its inhabitants are made up of 13,000 miniature people, who can be found scattered across the village going about their daily lives. The model railway that loops around the gardens makes sure that these people can get where they need to go on time! The award-winning village is overflowing with details that can be overlooked with just a cursory glance, so it’s advised that you allow plenty of time to appreciate the attraction to its full value. Children are also able to pick up a ‘spotter sheet’ upon arrival, which they can use to record what they’ve discovered along the way.

Land’s End and Penzance

Appropriately named, this tourist attraction is the Westernmost place in the UK’s mainland. The area is particularly popular with rock climbers, as its stunning views and cliff rocks certainly lend themselves to a variety of physical activities. Its iconic signpost can be found pointing visitors in the direction of places such as New York and John O’Groats (a Scottish village and the most North Eastern place in Britain).  About a 20-minute drive away from Land’s End is the town of Penzance. The historic port town is the most Westerly major town in the UK and is famous for its history with pirates. Small independent shops can be found tucked away along some of its winding cobbled streets. Besides an essential walk along the town’s coastline and beaches, The Minack Theatre is also worth a visit if you’re in the area. The famous open-air theatre, about 7.5 miles from Penzance, is carved into the cliff-side and still accommodates a thriving theatre scene from May to September every year.