Falmouth

Cornwall
Population – 21,797

Just 10 miles separate Truro and Falmouth – the latter focused towards the southern tip of the British Isles at the opening of the river Fal.

Playing an important defensive role in the fortification of the country, Falmouth has the once critical Pendennis castle to see. There is also the National Maritime Museum showing the importance of boats within the local and national community.

Continuing the nautical importance of the town, Falmouth docks contains the third largest natural harbour in the world with the deepest in Europe.

The Maritime line takes travellers on one of the most scenic train routes in the country between Truro and Falmouth whilst The Royal Cornwall Museum offers exhibits on local to international history, including an Ancient Egyptian Mummy!

Dartmouth

Devon
Population – 5,064

Dartmouth lies on the Western Bank of the Estuary to the river Dart in what is known as the South Devon Area for Outstanding Natural Beauty. The harbour is open 24 hours a day and provides space for up to 2,800 ships at any one time. The Bayard’s Cove Fort is a 16th century artillery blockhouse that lies on the harbour’s entrance.

Just down from this fort is Dartmouth Castle that also had the responsibility of protecting the coast from invaders.

The Britannia Royal Naval College offers tours into its near 120 year old history with views into what life would have been like for men and women training in the Royal Navy over the last century.

For the whole family, there is Woodlands Adventure Theme Park that has attractions for all ages and is only a few miles from Dartmouth itself.

 

Jurassic Coast

Devon & Dorset
Population 150,000

The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning a coastline of 96 miles along the Devon and Dorset border.

The cliffs contain 185 million years of geological history spanning several time periods, most notably the Jurassic period from which the site gains its name.

Along its world famous beaches include features such as Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and The Isle of Portland.

Each section of the coastline contains fossils from creatures that have lived and died here over the near 200 million years of formation. This creates a good chance of finding some for a fantastic memory.

As well as the coast itself, there are several small and larger towns dotted beside it to discover.

Exmouth

Devon
Population – 34,432

Before reaching the Jurassic Coast lies the seaside resort of Exmouth. The port town contains The Exmouth Marina which can berth visitor ships for up to two weeks to explore the town and surrounding areas.

The 18th century A La Ronde is a 16-sided house located in Lympstone, near Exmouth, which contains beautiful interior decoration and fascinating works of art.

Exmouth Beach is well celebrated for its 2 mile long stretch of golden sand and rockpools which is perfect for kids, as well as being ideal for watersports. Krispies is a nationally renowned fish and chip shop known for their battered chips.

The World of Country Life is an attraction that contains activities for all, from a busy program of daily activities to a wide variety of different animals to be seen.

Plymouth

Devon
Population – 263,100

Nicknamed “Britain’s Ocean City”, Plymouth is famed for its distinguished maritime history from the Mayflower of 1620, to Francis Drake and boasting Sutton Harbour and the National Marine Aquarium; which is the largest in the UK.

Plymouth Hoe is an area of parkland adjacent to the cliffs that form the basis of Plymouth Sound. Smeaton’s Tower, an 18th century lighthouse, was rebuilt on the area as a memorial to esteemed civil engineer, John Smeaton.

The Royal William Yard is described as “the grandest of all the royal victualling yards” and was responsible for preparing food for the Royal Navy ships entering and leaving the city. Now however, the property has been developed into a public space for cafes, restaurants and offices.

 

Bristol

Bristol
Population – 463,400

The largest city in the South West with a long and traditional maritime history featuring The Matthew, a reconstruction of the 1497 ship that John Cabot sailed across to North America.

In addition to The Matthew are the various river cruises that can be found. These take you on a tour of the city’s waterways and show you much of what Bristol has to offer.

The SS Great Britain is another fine example of the legacy Bristol’s maritime history has to play. The former passenger steamship and world’s longest vessel can now be viewed as part of a museum.

Anonymous street artists Banksy started his career in Bristol and a lot of his work can be seen throughout the city to this day.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge is an iconic landmark within the city that spans the Avon Gorge.

Appledore

Devon
Population – 2,814

The South West Coast Path is the longest such trail in the UK at 630 miles. It spans the entire coastline from Minehead in Somerset, all the way through to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

The North Devon Maritime Museum offers an insight into the rich shipbuilding and seafaring history of the area. This includes WWII beach landings, sail and steam vessels and shipwrecks.

Across the river Torridge is Instow beach which is perfect for families and good for sporting activities such as Kayaking. The Appledore-Instow ferry service can transport up to 12 passengers across the estuary for easier access to the beach.

The Big Sheep is a family friendly attraction down from Appledore in the town of Bideford that includes an indoor animal barn, on site brewery and gin distillery as well as its own roller coaster.

Torquay

Devon
Population – 65,245

One of the biggest draws to Torquay is Living Coasts, an all-weather zoo and aquarium that has host to penguins, otters, seals and much more.

The Babbacombe Model Village features a fictional town set over 4 acres whilst Kents Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age sites across the whole of Europe, with an incredible look into the past to see how early humans would have survived.

Torre Abbey is a museum of history and heritage that has been open since 1196 with award winning beautiful gardens to discover. The area includes an outdoor cinema and theatre.

Towering at 60 meters above the Torquay skyline sits The English Riviera Wheel; the perfect opportunity to take in the scenic surrounding areas.

Bournemouth

Dorset
Population – 187,503

The Bournemouth Pier includes an arcade, cafe and restaurant whilst hosting the world first pier to shore zip wire. Up from the pier is Christchurch harbour, an idyllic port near Bournemouth that is perfect for relaxing.

Famed for being one of Dorsets best known attractions, Lulworth Cove is ideal for photography and plays host to multiple beaches and stunning coastline.

Corfe Castle, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, was one of the most important structures in England from its inception – akin to Buckingham Palace today.

The Old Harry Rocks are a chalk formation at the southern tip of Studland Bay. The rocks are a world famous landmark with areas for a picknick looking out to sea.

Penzance

Cornwall
Population – 21,200

St Michael’s Mount is a tidal island accessible via boat, car or walking depending on tide levels. The island has its own castle with cafes, restaurants and gardens.

The Exchange in Penzance is a striking art exhibit which takes its name from being a former telephone exchange building.

Chygurno will indulge your sights and senses as you are placed onto the waterside gardens overlooking the spectacular sea view.

The Minack Theatre is an open aired space that holds a full programme of drama, music and opera every summer – built in 1932 down the steep cliff edge.

Chysauster Ancient Village is a 2,000 year old settlement and one of the finest examples of such in the country. The village was made up of stone-walled homesteads that can still be seen today.