Top Things to do in South West England
Countries
10 Outdoor Activities in South West England That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in South West England, United Kingdom including Porthminster Beach, Woolacombe Beach, The South West Coast Path, Gwithian Beach, The Ridgeway National Trail, Fistral Beach, Porthmeor Beach, Sennen Cove Beach, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Bournemouth Beach.
Restaurants in South West England
1. Porthminster Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,569 reviews
A favorite place for a family outing, this lovely stretch of beach overlooks Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance.
Reviewed By BO88INS
Excellent beach with a weekly (Tuesday) open air cinema across summer, we watched an afternoon showing of The Greatest Showman - thoroughly enjoyed it. Showings sell out quickly so book in advance to avoid disappointment. VIP tickets best, include popcorn, Gin or soft drink and deck chairs at the front. However, seating was provided for standard tickets and you could get pretty near the front if you arrived early.
2. Woolacombe Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,630 reviews
Woolacombe beach is family owned & family run with families in mind. We provide car parks, a lifeguard service, toilets, first aid and food and beach goods outlets.
Reviewed By amandataylor0205 - London, United Kingdom
Breathtaking view of Lundy Island this beautiful beach was outstandingly clean even though it was absolutely packed with families enjoying the sunshine. Great waves for surfing and lovely little natural pools for the younger children to play in safely. One of the best English beaches we have visited.
3. The South West Coast Path
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By charliedog56
Set off from minehead up to Portsmouth now Can be very challenging near minehead but Can recommend it to anyone. Takes the cares of the world off your back just so much to see We fly down to betray airport and do around 120 mile stretch every year .fantastic views and many nice people on the way. You won't regret doing it we book through a company called contours who arrange everything for you hotel luggage transport every thing. Just chase your bags every day. WALK OF A LIFETIME.
4. Gwithian Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 471 reviews
Reviewed By OldBear - Wigan, United Kingdom
A safe beach with RNLI Beach patrols on this and Godrevy Beach. It’s ideal for swimmers but more of a magnet for surfers and body boarders. Surf hire and surf lessons are also available. There are a few car parks, the closest being a National Trust which is free to NT members but the vehicles are crammed in with very little to to maneuver in parts. The beach is a five minute walk. There is also a grassed car park further up the hill which ideal for picnics , both locations provide nice views of St Ives Bay and nearby Godrevy Lighthouse and St Ives.
5. The Ridgeway National Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
One of thirteen National Trails in England, this 85-mile recreation route takes visitors through some of the most scenic landscape in the country which passes or crosses many important archaeological and wildlife sites along the way.
Reviewed By Enkanear - Seattle, United States
A delightful autumn walk on the Ridgeway National Trail I walked the entire Ridgeway National Trail in England from Overton Hill near Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring (87 miles, 140 km) over 7 ½ days in the autumn of 2019. I carried a 20 lb pack, wore MerrelI low-cut hiking boots, used one walking stick (mostly to fend off dogs), and carried the map pages from the Trailblazer guide. I was lucky, the weather was especially nice with only a couple of hours of rain. Overall, the Ridgeway is a great walk, especially the sections along the River Thames and Grim’s Ditch. The only negative is that motorcycles and automobiles are allowed on some sections of the western half of the Ridgeway, making for clouds of dust. The most helpful thing I can do for readers planning this long-distance walk is to recommend places to stay. The night before I started the walk, I stayed at Dorwyn B&B just outside Avebury. One of the best B&Bs I have experienced. Very well-run and the nice family gave me a ride to Overton Hill in the morning. After 16 km, I stayed at the Inn with a Well (really does have an ancient well under glass in the lobby) in Osbourne St. George. Good food, nice hosts, but right next to the busy A346. Another 14 km and I arrived at an exemplary B&B/hotel, the Royal Oak in Bishopston. The room in a new building was very comfortable, and the food (especially the pork) from their own farm was great. A nice walk of 16 km and I’m at the Greyhound Inn at Letcombe Regis. A bit of a long steep trek down off the ridge from Segsbury Camp into LR, but the reward is another friendly B&B/hotel. Great service, real ale and food, with offers of rides to and from the property by Christina. I met friends there and, thankfully, the next morning we drove up to the Ridgeway and walked together for a couple of hours. This was a full day of walking 24 km to the Streatley YHA property. Horizontal rain during the last hour got me soaked, so I took refuge at a golf course club house, where a gentleman bought me a beer. The hostel is basic, inexpensive, clean and close to the shops of Goring-on-Thames. A wonderful, level, scenic walk of another 24 km brought me to Watlington. My choice of an Airbnb unit here was not satisfactory, so you are on your own. This disappointment was more than made up for after an 18 km walk to the Ridgeway Lodge right on the trail and just shy of Princes Risborough. This is a fabulous property with great rooms (ask for the upstairs room), views, and a comfortable, separate high-tech common space for guests which includes cooking facilities. The incredibly hospitable hosts that provided tea and cake upon arrival and a full English breakfast are also willing to drive you to the M&S shop in PR for dinner supplies. I can’t praise the Ridgeway Lodge enough. I want to stay there again as soon as I can. Now, here is how you set up the final and steepest day without a pack using a two-night stay. From PR I walked 20 km to Wiggington, was picked up by my nice Airbnb hosts (‘Aldbury room with a view’), driven to the local M&S for supplies, enjoyed a clean quiet room and nice breakfast, was driven back to Wiggington in the morning without pack, and finished the last somewhat challenging 10 km atop Ivinghoe Beacon. I walked back to Tring station and was picked up again by my helpful hosts. I then enjoyed a jovial dinner with them, another fine breakfast, and was driven back to Tring station for a mid-morning train to London. This walk was done in style, thanks to the gracious English people! What a great adventure. Highly recommended. This is my 8th long-distance walk in Europe. I’m 71 years old. If I can do it, you can do it.
6. Fistral Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,365 reviews
This splendid beach offers excellent water for surfing and body boarding.
Reviewed By mummatash73
Love love this beach ... The facilities are fab.The Life Guards are highly trained & observant ..We are generally here most weekends .And while Covid has played havoc this season in Cornwall & UK .. Procedures are mainly respected with a one way system in place for restaurants /toilets ... Although it is a dog friendly beach.You wouldn’t know it the owners are in a huge majority of cases respectful
7. Porthmeor Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,174 reviews
This half-mile-long beach with firm sands is a popular recreational area around St. Ives, where all amenities are available, including beach chalets.
Reviewed By P5169HXdavidr
Great beach with good amenities and a great surf school easy access and very clean well worth a visit
8. Sennen Cove Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 533 reviews
Just north of Land's End is England's most westerly beach, with good breaking surf for beginners.
Reviewed By Biggusrachus
We spent a day at Sennen Cove and the whole family caught some brilliant waves on our bodyboards. A really stunning location, great for surfing/bodyboarding or just playing on the beach. The RNLI Lifeguards were particularly helpful and active throughout the day and spent a lot of time in the water looking out for people and helping to keep them within the flagged areas as the wind kept blowing people too far across. Probably now my favourite beach so far in Cornwall!
9. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,145 reviews
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a conservation and education charity located in South Devon. With around 2,500 animals across 80 acres, we have more species than anyone else in the South West. These include: lions, tigers, giraffes, crocodiles, rhinos, lemurs, flamingos, meerkats, orang-utans, Komodo dragon... the list is endless! We also have indoor and outdoor play areas, the Jungle Express train, a seasonal bird show and numerous food and drink outlets. With something for guests of any age to enjoy, you'll need all day to experience what we have to offer! Paignton Zoo is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
Reviewed By A3559FQsaraha
Great zoo clean and well kept animals seem happy visit lots Brilliant for children good picnic areas good takeaway food available free parking Lovely shop
10. Bournemouth Beach
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