languageEnglishFrançaisDeutschEspañolDuitsItaliano
Sheridans Guides The West Country
the west country

The West Country

Roman Baths - Bath Gold Hill - Shaftsbury

The South Western peninsula of the British Isles stretches out into the Atlantic from the soft hills and gentle valleys of Wiltshire to the soaring cliffs and picturesque fishing villages of Cornwall.

An area to offer everything to everyone, great historical houses, the wide open uplands of Exmoor and Dartmoor, Cheddar Gorge in the limestone Mendip Hills, the tropical gardens of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, the legend and romance of King Arthur of Camelot's Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, the naturally hot Roman Baths in the Georgian city of Bath, to the ancient mystery of the circle of Stonehenge.

Over 1000 km of wonderfully varied coastline offering long sandy beaches, exciting surfing, dramatic seascapes and gentle estuaries. A mecca for boating enthusiasts with numerous marinas and gentle secluded anchorages. With famous museums from Bath to Exeter, classic gardens from Stourhead in Wiltshire to Tresco in the Scilly Isles, theme and wildlife parks from Longleat to Flambards in Cornwall, there is a wealth of attractions to be explored by the family and individual.


    Bristol

    Cornwall

    Devon

    Devon & Cornwall

    Dorset

    North Somerset

    Somerset

    Wiltshire

    Local Attractions

    Castles

    St Michael's Mount Marazion [map]
    Explore the amazing island world of St Michaels Mount Cornwall and discover legend, myth and over a thousand years of incredible history.

    Cathedrals

    Bristol Cathedral Bristol [map]
    Exeter Cathedral Exeter [map]
    Plymouth Cathedral Plymouth [map]
    Truro Cathedral Truro [map]
    Wells Cathedral Wells [map]

    Museums

    Isles Of Scilly Museum [map]
    Airborne Forces Museum Aldershot [map]
    Jane Austen's House Alton [map]
    Andover Museum Andover [map]
    King Johns Hunting Lodge Museum Axbridge [map]
    King Johns Hunting Lodge - Museums in Somerset, National Trust Museums Somerset, places to visit in Somerset, Tourist attractions Somerset, Buildings of historical importance Somerset, National Trust Museums, Historical properties to visit Somerset.
    The British Bear Collection Banwell [map]
    Milestones Hampshires Living History Museum Basingstoke [map]
    Willis Museum Basingstoke [map]
    American Museum In Britain Bath [map]
    Bath Postal Museum Bath [map]
    Holburne Museum Of Art Bath [map]
    Museum Of Costume Bath [map]
    Roman Bath Bath [map]
    The Building Of Bath Museum Bath [map]
    The Museum Of Bath At Work Bath [map]
    The Museum Of East Asian Art Bath [map]
    The Museum of East Asian Art houses significant collections of objects from East Asia
    William Herschel Museum Bath [map]
    Cavalcade Of Costume Blandford Forum [map]
    Royal Signals Museum Blandford Forum [map]
    Bridport Museum Trust Bridport [map]
    Come and discover Bridport’s unique history from Saxon times to the present!
    At Bristol Bristol [map]
    Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery Bristol [map]
    Overview and key visitor information for Bristol's City Museum and Art Gallery
    Bristol Industrial Museum Bristol [map]
    Introduction to Bristol's Industrial Museum, including opening hours and access information.
    British Empire & Commonwealth Museum Bristol [map]
    The British Empire & Commonwealth Museum: Some ten years in the making, the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum represents the first serious attempt in the United kingdom to present a publicly accessible history of the British empire and to examine its continuing impact on Britain and the rest of the world.
    Kingswood Heritage Museum Bristol [map]
    Thornbury & District Museum Bristol [map]
    Brixham Heritage Museum Brixham [map]
    Web Site dedicated to the Heritage and History of Brixham, Devon, UK, a historic town and fishing port.
    Golden Hind Museum Ship Brixham [map]
    Calne Heritage Centre Calne [map]
    Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre Chippenham [map]
    Fox Talbot Museum Chippenham [map]
    Bournemouth Aviation Museum Christchurch [map]
    Red House Museum & Gardens Christchurch [map]
    Dartmouth Museum Dartmouth [map]
    Dawlish Museum Dawlish [map]
    Wiltshire Heritage Museum Devizes [map]
    Mill House Cider Museum Dorchester [map]
    Terracotta Warrior Museum Dorchester [map]
    Terracotta Warriors Museum, Dorchester, brings together all the wonder of the discovery of the many treasures of the first Emperor of China.
    The Dinosaur Museum Dorchester [map]
    The award-winning Dinosaur Museum is a treat, especially for children
    The Keep Military Museum Dorchester [map]
    A modern military museum housing creative displays telling the stories of the regiments of Devon and Dorset who have served the country for more than 300 years
    Tutankhamun Exhibition Dorchester [map]
    The Tutankhamun Exhibition, A spectacular recreation of the tomb and treasures of King Tutankhamun in Dorchester. The website showcases some of the main exhibits and also has an on-line shop and lots of information about the boy King.
    Eastleigh Museum Eastleigh [map]
    Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery Exeter [map]
    Topsham Museum Exeter [map]
    Whimple Heritage Centre Exeter [map]
    National Maritime Museum (Cornwall) Falmouth [map]
    National Maritime Museum Cornwall - Your Maritime Heritage
    Royal Armouries Fort Nelson Fareham [map]
    Farnborough Air Sciences Farnborough [map]
    Farnborough Air Sciences Trust conserves and builds on the aeronautical heritage of Farnborough. This is the source of information about the work of the Trustees, the Museum and the FAST Associaton
    Fordingbridge Museum Trust Ltd Fordingbridge [map]
    Located in Fordingbridge in the New Forest, something of interest for all the family, all ages.
    Rockbourne Roman Villa Museum Fordingbridge [map]
    Frome Museum Frome [map]
    Fascinating industrial museum with Library, artefacts, maps & historic photos of Frome. Singers & Fussells collections.
    Somerset Rural Life Museum Glastonbury [map]
    Explosion - The Museum Of Naval Firepower Gosport [map]
    An exciting new visitor experience for all the family on the shores of Portsmouth Harbour, Explosion! tells the story of naval firepower from gunpowder to the Exocet. Housed in historic buildings at Priddy's Hard, the Navy's former armaments depot, in Gosport, Hampshire.
    The Royal Navy Submarine Museum Gosport [map]
    Havant Museum Havant [map]
    Earth Station - Goonhilly Helston [map]
    Based in Cornwall, and with over 60 dishes on site, Goonhilly is the largest satellite earth station in the world. Able to transmit to every corner of the globe via space, and through undersea fibre optic cables, Goonhilly simultaneously handles millions of international phone calls, emails, and TV broadcasts.
    Allhallows Museum Of Honiton Honiton [map]
    Lawrence House Museum Launceston [map]
    Lawrence House is a Georgian town house.
    Hollycombe Steam Collection Liphook [map]
    Hollycombe Steam Collection - A unique collection of steam powered fun fair rides, railways, traction engines, traditional farm and sawmill
    The Ancient Egyptian Centre Liskeard [map]
    Egyptology: The Ancient Egyptian Centre: Edwards & Beilby present their private collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities and works of art. The exhibits include monumental statues, figurines, weapons, personal goods, ritual tools, mummies, coffins and much more all housed in a 1930's theme museum . The Tutankhamun Collection contains fine museum copies from Cairo including the death mask, shabti figures, the guardians and more. Escape from the 21st century and step back in time, explore the mysterious world of this ancient civilisation.......
    Polperro Harbour Heritage Museum Looe [map]
    Lyme Regis Philpot Museum Lyme Regis [map]
    About the Museum; People of Lyme; Fossils and Mary Anning; Civil War and Rebellion; Lyme and the Sea, the Cobb; Literary Lyme; The Undercliff; The Museum Shop; For Schools; News and Events.
    The St Barbe Museum Lymington [map]
    New Forest Museum & Library Lyndhurst [map]
    Friends Of Athelstan Museum Malmesbury [map]
    The Miniature Pony Centre Newton Abbot [map]
    Experience animals, activities and discovery, all set in 20 acres of beautiful parkland within Dartmoor National Park.
    Eden Project Par [map]
    Official website of the Eden Project, one of the UK's top gardens and conservation tourist attractions located in Cornwall.
    Porthcurno Telegraph Museum Penzance [map]
    See and find out about early telecommunications technology and how the nerve centre of Victorian telegraphy came to be sited on the remote and beautiful Cornish coastline.
    Perranzabuloe Museum Perranporth [map]
    The Bear Museum Petersfield [map]
    The Petersfield Museum Petersfield [map]
    City Of Plymouth Museum & Art Gallery Plymouth [map]
    Portland Museum Portland [map]
    H M S Warrior 1860 Portsmouth [map]
    Mary Rose Museum Portsmouth [map]
    Royal Naval Museum Portsmouth [map]
    Homepage for the Royal Naval Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dokyard, dedicated to preserving and displaying the historical heritage of the Royal Navy
    Treadgold Industrial Heritage Museum Portsmouth [map]
    Radstock Museum Radstock [map]
    Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust Radstock [map]
    Ringwood Town & Country Experience Ringwood [map]
    Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Salisbury [map]
    Shaftesbury Town Museum Shaftesbury [map]
    Situated at the top of Gold Hill, the Town Museum has many items of local interest providing an insight into Shaftesbury's long history and its association with crafts such as the Dorset button-making industry. The museum's cottage garden enjoys views to Melbury Hill.
    Sherborne Museum Sherborne [map]
    Solent Sky Southampton [map]
    Aviation museum - the gateway to aircraft history in the south of England
    Southampton Maritime Museum Southampton [map]
    Royal Marines Museum Southsea [map]
    Barbara Hepworth Museum St. Ives [map]
    Museum Of Army Flying Stockbridge [map]
    1940s Swansea Bay Swansea [map]
    Steam Museum Of The Great Western Railways Swindon [map]
    Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Swindon [map]
    The Museum Of Computing Swindon [map]
    Wroughton Science Museum Swindon [map]
    An old RAF airfield, the Science Museum at Wroughton now serves as a storage facility for the large objects in our collection.
    Somerset County Museum Taunton [map]
    There is a rich variety of objects on show at the Museum relating to the County of Somerset to intrigue and stir the imagination. There are toys and dolls, fossils, fine silver and pottery, and a rich collection of archaeological items. You can follow the fortunes of the Somerset Light Infantry as they carried out their campaigns across the world.
    The Bakelite Museum Taunton [map]
    Merlin's Cave Crystal Mineral & Fossil Museum Tintagel [map]
    Tiverton & Mid Devon Museum Trust Tiverton [map]
    Tiverton Museum - houses probably the largest Social History collections in the South West of England
    Bygones Museum Torquay [map]
    Sights, smells and sounds. A truly memorable experience of how our great grandparents lived.
    Torquay Museum Torquay [map]
    Torquay Museum is Devon's oldest established Museum still operating, founded in 1845 and still owned and run by Torquay Natural History Society.
    Torrington Museum Torrington [map]
    Torrington Heritage Museum is a small, friendly museum, housed in the Town Hall in the centre of the town. It is run entirely by volunteers and entrance is free. The museum has some fascinating exhibits and it aims to reflect the diverse history of this ancient market town.
    Trowbridge Museum Trowbridge [map]
    Royal Cornwall Museum Truro [map]
    The Tank Museum Wareham [map]
    Wareham Town Museum Wareham [map]
    Wells & Mendip Museum Wells [map]
    Lambretta Scooter Museum Weston-Super-Mare [map]
    The Helicopter Museum Weston-Super-Mare [map]
    The Helicopter Museum, the largest dedicated helicopter museum in the world. Located in Weston-super-Mare, on the South West Coast of England.
    Nothe Fort Weymouth [map]
    Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum Winchester [map]
    The Museum Of The King's Royal Hussars Winchester [map]
    The Royal Green Jackets Museum Winchester [map]
    Westgate Museum Winchester [map]
    The Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovil [map]
    Welcome to The Fleet Air Arm Museum - representing the flying arm of the Royal Navy.
    The Haynes Motor Museum Yeovil [map]
    Travel through motoring history at Britain's international collection of historic cars from around the world.

    Racecourses

    Bath Racecourse Bath [map]
    Buy racing tickets and enjoy exciting horse racing days out at Bath Racecourse with racing hospitality, events & venue hire and racing sponsorship.
    Newton Abbot Racing Newton Abbot [map]
    Newton Abbot is the leading summer jumping racecourse in the UK.
    Salisbury Racecourse Salisbury [map]
    Salisbury Racecourse, set in the middle of the Wiltshire countryside within view of stunning Salisbury Cathedral. Telephone 01722 326461 Fax 01722 412710. The Racecourse hosts 15 thoroughbred flat race meetings each summer.
    Taunton Racecourse Taunton [map]
    Taunton Racecourse offers a comprehensive and affordable venue for conferences, seminars and events with a wide range of catering options and a first class restaurant. Set in beautiful countryside surrounded by the Blackdown Hills, Taunton Racecourse is a premier location.
    Wincanton Racecourse Wincanton [map]

    Stately Homes

    Pencarrow Bodmin [map]
    Maunsel House Bridgwater [map]
    Bowood House and Gardens Calne [map]
    Bowood House is the magnificent stately family home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne and was designed by Robert Adam in the 18th Century.
    Highcliffe Castle Christchurch [map]
    Highcliffe Castle - Venue for entertainment and civil weddings
    Corsham Court Corsham [map]
    Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury [map]
    Salisbury is one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Britain. It is the mother church of the Salisbury Diocese, an area which covers most of the counties of Wiltshire and Dorset.
    Sherborne Castle Sherborne [map]
    Sherborne Castle is located in the town of Sherborne, Dorset. Built by Sir Walter Raleigh and surrounded by beautiful grounds and a lake it is a wonderful place to visit for all the family. Perfect wedding or event venue. Sherborne also has a number of other attractions including Sherborne Old Castle.
    Morwellham Quay Tavistock [map]
    Longleat House Warminster [map]
    Longleat House and Safari Park - As featured on BBC's Animal Park
    Wilton House Wilton [map]

    Greater London
    Cumbria and Northumbria
    North West, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire
    Heart of England and Middle England
    East Anglia, Thames & Chilterns
    The West Country
    South of England
    Wales
    Scotland - The Lowlands
    Scotland - The Central Highlands
    Scotland - The Northern Highlands & Islands
    Ireland
    The Channel Islands