Top Things to do in South West England
10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in South West England That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in South West England, United Kingdom including Hele Corn Mill & Tea Room, The Lizard and Kynance Cove, The Golden Retriever Experience, No. 1 Royal Crescent, Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta, Cabot Tower, Exeter Cathedral, Powderham Castle, Truro Cathedral, Underground Passages.
Restaurants in South West England
1. Hele Corn Mill & Tea Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 647 reviews
Opening 12th April Please check website for opening days. Booking from 9.00am on the day by phone. Following Government guidelines David and Kathy’s Tearoom will be providing outdoor undercover seating with cakes made from flour milled onsite, from 12th April 2021. The Mill interior will open later in the year when permitted.
Reviewed By HAL101
3 of us enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon tea at this pretty corn mill near Ilfracombe bay. One friend is diabetic and I am vegan. The staff were very knowledgeable about different dietary needs. My freshly baked vegan cheese scone was delicious, the nicest scone I have ever had. There was a choice of savoury or sweet (24 hours notice required for vegan). There was a choice of cheese or houmous with it. I chose cheese with onion marmalade for my scone and houmous and chutney for my sandwich. The bread was lovely. After, there was a choice of 2 vegan cakes( raspberry and coconut or cherry and chocolate), both delicious. It was served with a huge pot of tea. There was plenty to eat , the food was delicious ( much is baked with their own milled flour) and it was very reasonably priced.
2. The Lizard and Kynance Cove
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,933 reviews
Reviewed By 882rachelw - Bristol, United Kingdom
First we visited Lizard Point with its stunning views, then we drove on to the beautiful Kynance Cove. Our holiday had taken on a bit of a Poldark theme and it’s clear to see why this stunning place was chosen for coastal beach scenes for the series. It was late afternoon by the time we visited so the car park was relatively empty. Being National Trust members, you just simply scan your card and parking is free. Annoyingly the tide times had been rubbed off of the public notice board so we took a chance and walked down the shorter path (which I agree some may consider quite steep and challenging), and luckily found we could still get down on to the beach this way. The views were amazing and we spent lots of time watching the crashing waves starting to reclaim the beach and climbing and walking along the cliff top watching the tide coming in from all angles. The colour of the sea and the sky at this time of day was simply breathtaking. It seemed we had timed our visit perfectly as the beach was rather empty, apart from the occasional nutter braving the waves resulting in a unnecessary visit from the life boat services. A trip here really blew the cobwebs away and made us realise how beautiful our coastline really is! We made memories that day that I will cherish forever. I’m not sure I’d have been so keen on a visit on the overcrowded summer days that other people describe though! I think it depends on what you want from a beach. I’m less about the bucket and spades and more about the breath taking views and the walking!
3. The Golden Retriever Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 196 reviews
The Golden Retriever Experience (The GRE) is a family-run attraction in West Somerset that gives the unique opportunity for you and your family/friends to have a personal encounter with a pack of trained Golden Retrievers.
Reviewed By NCKP933 - London, United Kingdom
Really fun couple of hours with the dogs. The dogs are very friendly and fun. Really recommend for any dog lovers.
4. No. 1 Royal Crescent
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,826 reviews
Step into the past at one of England's finest Georgian townhouses. * 10 display rooms * Upstairs and downstairs * Georgian shop * Free info room with introductory video * Disabled access * Kids explorer packs * Friendly room guides * 'Women's Suffrage 100: Freedom and Fight in Bath' is the exhibition theme in 2018. The website has an Access section which has details of nearest car-parks, floorplans, facilities and information specifically for our visitors with access needs.
Reviewed By Alliemac308
Brilliant to see the house as it would have been in Georgian times, with each room explained by a knowledgeable and welcoming volunteer. Great value for money - a couple of hours flew by!
5. Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,642 reviews
Prepare to be amazed by one of the finest cathedrals in the UK, home to Britain’s tallest spire and largest cathedral close and cloisters. Our original 1215 Magna Carta is the best-preserved copy in existence and our 14th century clock is the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. We suggest 1.5 – 3 hours for your visit, but you can see most highlights in 45 minutes if you are pressed for time. You can enjoy delicious snacks and meals prepared freshly on-site in our Refectory Restaurant and browse our unique range of souvenirs in our Gift Shop. 10-minute walk from Salisbury Train Station | 20-minute drive from Stonehenge| 1.5 hours from London. Tickets must be booked online. There is no charge, but please support our work by giving a donation.
Reviewed By TroutQ - London, United Kingdom
What a great day out! I went mainly to see the Magna Carta but was surprised to discover a fantastic art and sculpture collection. The highlights for me being a sculpture by Anthony Gormley, the amazing font and a magnificent tapestry by Grayson Perry, the worlds oldest working clock and of course the Magna Carta. All the staff inside the Cathedral were helpful and friendly but Rob stood out as a fantastic curator. Thanks Rob for taking us back into the Cathedral to view the rear of the tapestry which we hadn't spotted. Oh and of course its a beautiful cathedral.....
6. Cabot Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,424 reviews
Reviewed By Shelbegrn - East Garston, United Kingdom
Cabot Tower offers serene and beautiful park surroundings with plenty of park benches and natural water features to revive tired souls or even calm hectic ones. The path to the tower is very steep and may be impossible to climb for those with mobility issues.
7. Exeter Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,879 reviews
Lift your gaze to the world’s longest uninterrupted Gothic stone vaulted cathedral ceiling. Discover Scott’s sledging flag from the legendary British Antarctic Expedition. Marvel at the medieval astronomical clock. With a thousand years of history, stunning architecture, unique treasures, musical and spiritual heritage, you’ll feel inspired from the moment you step inside Exeter Cathedral.
8. Powderham Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 974 reviews
Open from 24 March until 1 November 2019. Powderham Castle is the family home of the 19th Earl & Countess of Devon. It was originally built by Sir Philip Courtenay in 1391 and despite undergoing many transformations since surviving the ravages of the civil war in the 17th century, it has remained in the same family. Entertaining guided tours bring the fascinating history to life, you will find them engaging whatever your age. Discover secret doors, stunning architecture and even a haunted landing. We would advise you to allow at least 3 hours for your visit so you can take time to explore the many acres of gardens and grounds. The Walled Garden is home to our friendly Powderham pets, including Tessa the tortoise and Harry the donkey, and is a safe haven for our little visitors. Relax in the peaceful surroundings, from the beautiful Rose Garden, overlooking the deer park and Exe estuary to the Woodland Garden, with its stunning collection of trees.
Reviewed By keithkillingback - Dawlish, United Kingdom
Great place to visit, great restaurant good menu friendly staff, good farm shop and butlers, good walks dog friendly
9. Truro Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,392 reviews
Reviewed By MalcolmBalto - Aylesbury, United Kingdom
A beautiful building with super acoustics and a very friendly and generous clergy! I enjoyed singing there for a week with the Alleyn Singers and hopefully will get the chance to sing there again.
10. Underground Passages
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
In light of the advice from the Government about COVID-19 the Underground Passages are closed to the public until further notice. Dating from 14th century, these medieval passages under Exeter High Street are a unique ancient monument: no similar system of passages can be explored by the public elsewhere in Britain. The Passages have long exercised a fascination over local people, with stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence! Their purpose was simple: to bring clean drinking water from natural springs in fields lying outside the walled city, through lead pipes into the heart of the city. The pipes sometimes sprang leaks and repairs to buried pipes could only be carried out by digging them up as we do today. To avoid this disruption the passages were vaulted and it is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided.The Passages are dark and narrow with a fascinating history. Visitors can experience interactive and educational exhibits in the Underground Passages Heritage Centre and watch a short video presentation before their guided tour.
Reviewed By JakeCox
Top of our list of things to do (along with the brilliant Royal Albert Museum - see other review) were the famed underground passages of Exeter's interesting past. We booked out tickets for the next tour, beginning in about 45 minutes' time, browsed a few nearby shops and then made our way back and downstairs ready for the tour to begin. In the room downstairs there is plenty to keep you occupied and interested as you wait for everyone in the tour group to gather. Next you go through to a room where there are lockers for your belongings and are shown a short video explaining the history of the tunnels as well as a brief introduction from the tour guide. Kitted up with hard hats you begin the journey through the passages of varying height and width, occasionally pausing as the guide gives very informative pointers on the history surrounding the area you're currently in. As a man exceeding 6 foot in height I found myself ducking a lot and being thankful for the hard hat but this is to be expected and didn't infringe upon my enjoyment at all. The stops are always timed for areas where the ceiling is of comfortable height so don't worry about being stuck doubled over for any significant length of time. You're also able to leave the tour at any point (provided you notify the guide of course) if you become claustrophobic so if that's an initial concern then see how you go at least. Later on in the tour you're given the choice of two routes. One path leads you back through a comfortable height tunnel, the other through a very low tunnel. Needless to say I chose the former. If you're below 6 feet tall and have no back or knee issues then you'll be fine - it's only a short route. If in doubt though, take the comfortable route and wait for the others to emerge; some muddy-handed if they had to steady themselves through the low tunnel! Great fun and our tour guide Alex was excellent. Defninitely recommend this.
