Things to Do South West

It’s no wonder that that south west is one of England’s most popular holiday destinations, it has a varied landscape that includes a beautiful coastline as well as rural, countryside areas and some unique attractions that are perfect for day trips.

You can find historic monuments, such as Stonehenge, beaches in the areas of Cornwall, Dorset and Devon, two National Parks and lots of interesting events that are going on all year around. Plus, you have the cities of Exeter, Plymouth, Bath, Bristol and Wells, the smallest city in England, to name a few places you can go for museums, shopping and more!

Whether you’re heading for one of the cities in the region or planning to spend time on the coast or exploring the more rural areas, you’ll never be short of things to do and places to interest you. There are museums covering every topic imaginable, sites of scientific interest, shopping areas, iconic landmarks, national parks, regency towns full of Georgian and Roman heritage, bustling city centres, canals, animal parks and so much more. It is a great place to visit for nature lovers, city breaks and seaside holidays, wherever you go you’ll find top attractions and activities that will interest everyone in your party.

The South West isn’t all gentle strolls and a slow way of life, it is a region that has a lot of exciting attractions and activities hidden away, as well as having a rich culture, so whatever kind of break you are looking for, you’ll find it in the South West.

Families can take their pick from a choice of theme parks, adventure parks, farm attractions, wild life parks and more. It is an ideal destination for anyone who likes history and wants to immerse themselves in the heritage of an area, many hamlets and villages in the south west have the same features that they did when they were first built, from the Georgian splendour of places like Bath and Cheltenham to the Victorian style sea fronts on the Bristol Channel and the chocolate box towns in places like Wiltshire, the Cotswolds and Devon. The Jurassic Coast that stretches through Devon and Dorset is the place for any dinosaur fan, with museums, fossils that are visible in the cliff faces and more! Perhaps the most famous music festival in the world takes place in Somerset – Glastonbury Festival, revellers come from all over the globe to enjoy the most exciting acts in music.

Of course it is also a region that boasts countless interesting and beautiful natural attractions, thanks to the diversity of the landscape. The people of the area are incredible proud of their stunning surroundings and conservation is important, so you’ll be sure to find lots of attractions and activities that involve the natural environment.

Many of the top attractions are housed in venues that have gone the extra mile to make sure they are completely accessible, you’ll find audio guides, braille maps and enough space to bring mobility aids. There are even sensory gardens and parts of exhibitions and there are often ‘autism friendly’ hours to make sure that the environment is as friendly and inclusive as possible. Quite a few of the big local authority run attractions are also free to enjoy, so be sure to add them to your plans.

Whether you’re looking for a bit of culture, a trip to the beach or something a bit more exhilarating, you’ll find it in the south west.

Things To Do Highlights

Longleat

Longleat Safari Park, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to…

Crealy Theme Park & Resort

Crealy Theme Park & Resort is an award winning family Theme Park in Devon that boasts over 60 rides…

Clarks Village

In the green heart of Somerset, a retail retreat unfolds… An outlet escape like no other – where…

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Clarks Village

Address

Clarks Village, Street, Somerset, BA16 0BB

Telephone
01458 840 064

hello@clarksvillage.co.uk

Street

In the green heart of Somerset, a retail retreat unfolds…
An outlet escape like no other – where the edge and flair of modern shopping meets the effortless calm of the countryside, and the cool and classic sit side by side.

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Crealy Theme Park & Resort

Address

Sidmouth Road, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, Devon, EX5 1DR

Telephone
01395 233200

fun@crealy.co.uk

Exeter
Awards
- National Accessible Scheme NAS Mobility Impairment - Older and less mobile guests 2019
- National Accessible Scheme NAS Mobility Impairment - Part-time wheelchair users 2019
- National Accessible Scheme NAS Mobility Impairment - Independent wheelchair users 2019
- National Accessible Scheme NAS Mobility Impairment - Assisted wheelchair users 2019
- National Accessible Scheme NAS Mobility Impairment - Access Exceptional 2019
Crealy Theme Park & Resort is an award winning family Theme Park in Devon that boasts over 60 rides and attractions, with spectacular live entertainment shows and animals galore, it's no wonder that Crealy Theme Park & Resort is regularly voted the…
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Hestercombe Gardens

Address

Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8LG

Telephone
01823 413923

info@hestercombe.com

Taunton

Open daily near Taunton in Somerset, Hestercombe is a unique combination of beautiful gardens, all saved from disrepair and restored to their former glory over the last 20 years.

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Longleat

Address

Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW

Telephone
01985 844400

enquiries@longleat.co.uk

Warminster

Longleat Safari Park, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park, one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture, and an abundance of exciting attractions including Jungle…

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Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Address

Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, Somerset, BS48 1PG

Telephone
01275 852606

info@noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Bristol

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is the home of the big zoo animals including African Elephants, White Rhino, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers and Bears. You’ll be amazed at the variety of nature you’ll see within the biggest zoo in the South West.
The zoo has recently…

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World of Country Life

Address

Westdown Lane, Sandy Bay, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 5BY

Telephone
01395 264126

debbie@wocl.co.uk

Exmouth

Where else can you hand feed deer and llama, watch an exhilarating birds of prey flying display, take a walk down a Victorian Street, wonder at all the memorabilia from the war and times gone by, wander around the Hall of Transport (where you’ll…

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Kids Days Out

Address

Meadowside, The Street, Lea, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9PA

Telephone
01666 825390

info@kidsdaysout.co.uk

Lea, Malmesbury

Kids Days Out – the online guide to over 1,500 family friendly attractions and clubs throughout the UK, with details of activities and access for wheelchair users.

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Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre

Address

Longthorns, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HH

Telephone
01929 462537

apes@monkeyworld.org

Wareham

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 250 rescued and endangered primates, including Europe’s only orangutan crèche! Visitors can see a number of primate infants playing and growing up together with their foster families at the purpose…

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The Roman Baths

Address

Roman Baths, Abbey Church Yard, Bath, BANES, BA1 1LZ

Telephone
01225 477785

romanbaths_bookings@bathnes.gov.uk

Bath

The museum of the magnificent Roman Baths.

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Stuart Line Cruises

Address

Exmouth Marina, Exmouth Docks, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1DU

Telephone
01395 222144

info@stuartlinecruises.co.uk

Exmouth

Sail with Stuart Line Cruises on a River Exe cruise or a Coastal Cruise. Breath-taking scenery & fascinating history throughout the year.

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Ashcroft Arts Centre

Address

Ashcroft Arts Centre, Osborn Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7DX

Telephone
01329 223100

enquiries@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk

Fareham

Offering comedy, theatre, music, festivals and classes for all ages, there is something for everyone on offer at Fareham’s Ashcroft Arts Centre.

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Wight Karting

Address

Brading Road, RYDE, Isle Of Wight, PO33 1QS

Telephone
+44 01983 565366

info@wightkarting.co.uk

RYDE

A top family action attraction on the Isle of Wight: all-weather, outdoor, racing driver experience for 3-103 year olds.

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Stourhead - National Trust

Address

National Trust Estate Office, High Street, Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6QD

Telephone
01747 841152

stourhead@nationaltrust.org.uk

Stourton, Warminster

Stourhead estate on the Wiltshire-Somerset border is the perfect day out for everyone. A breathtaking 18th century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes and classical temples is only the beginning.

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GWR Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Address

The Railway Station, Toddington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5DT

Telephone
+44 01242 621405

enquiries@gwsr.com

Cheltenham

The GWSR is a volunteer run steam and diesel heritage railway in the English Cotswolds.

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The Gallery, Winchester Discovery Centre

Address

Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8SB

Telephone
01962 873603

enquiries@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk

Winchester

Located on the first floor of Winchester Discovery Centre, The Gallery is a stunning exhibition space designed to the highest environmental and security standards to allow the display of art and objects from the most important galleries, museums and…

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Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower

Address

Heritage Way, Priddy's Hard, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 4LE

Telephone
+44 023 9250 5600

info@explosion.org.uk

Gosport

The amazing story of naval firepower, from gunpowder to the Exocet, in an exciting visitor experience for all the family on the Gosport side of Portsmouth Harbour.

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M Shed

Address

Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN

Telephone
+44 (0)117 352 6600

bristolmuseums@bristol.gov.uk

Bristol

M Shed is an exciting and innovative flagship museum for Bristol with gallery space and a packed events schedule.

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Seaton Tramway

Address

Harbour Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2NQ

Telephone
01297 20375

info@tram.co.uk

Seaton

For a great day out in Devon, visit Seaton Tramway a attraction featuring a narrow gauge electric tramway running 3 miles from Seaton to Colyton via Colyford.

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Arnolfini

Address

16 Narrow Quay, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 4QA

Telephone
+44 (0)117 917 2300

info@arnolfini.org.uk

Harbourside, Bristol

Arnolfini is a centre for contemporary arts based on Bristol’s Harbourside. The organisation is dedicated to producing and presenting visual arts, performance, film, music and events.

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Chagford Swimming Pool

Address

Rushford, Chagford, Devon

Telephone
01647 432929

Chagford

Large freshwater outdoor pool beside River Teign.

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