Places to visit in the South West of England
South West
At Bristol
Harbourside, Bristol
Tel: 0845 345 1235
www.at-bristol.org.uk
3 exciting new attractions which will take you on the interactive adventure of a lifetime – Explore, Wildwalk and the IMAX Theatre.
Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum Trust
Stockley Lane, Calne
Tel: 01249 813119
www.atwellwilson.org.uk
Motor museum with vintage, post-vintage and classic cars, including American models. Classic motorbikes. A 17th century water meadow walk. Car clubs welcome for rallies. Play area.
Babbacombe Model Village
Babbacombe, Torquay
Tel: 01803 315315
www.babbacombemodelvillage.co.uk
Over 400 models many with sound and animation with 4 acres of award-winning gardens. See modern towns, villages and rural areas. Stunning illuminations and Aquaviva.
Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery
Queen's Road, Bristol
Tel: 0117 922 3571
www.bristol-city.gov.uk/museums
Outstanding collections of applied, oriental and fine art, archaeology, geology, natural history, ethnography and Egyptology.
Bristol Zoo Gardens
Clifton, Bristol
Tel: 0117 974 7300
www.bristolzoo.org.uk
Enjoy an exciting real life experience and see over 300 species of wildlife in beautiful gardens. Favourites include Gorilla Island, Bug World and Sea and Penguin Coasts with underwater viewing.
Buckland Abbey (National Trust)
Yelverton
Tel: 01822 853607
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Originally Cistercian monastery, then home of Sir Francis Drake. Ancient buildings, exhibitions, herb garden, craft workshops and estate walks. Elizabethan garden.
Cheddar Caves & Gorge
Cheddar
Tel: 01934 742343
www.cheddarcaves.co.uk
Beautiful caves located in Cheddar Gorge. Gough's Cave with its cathedral-like caverns and Cox's Cave with stalagmites and stalactites. Also 'The Crystal Quest' fantasy adventure.
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park
Combe Martin, Ilfracombe
Tel: 01271 882486
www.dinosaur-park.com
The land that time forgot. A subtropical paradise with hundreds of birds and animals, and animatronics dinosaurs, so real they're alive!
Crealy Park
Clyst St Mary, Exeter
Tel: 01395 233200
www.crealy.co.uk
One of Devon's largest animal farms. Milk a cow, feed a lamb and pick up a piglet. Adventure playgrounds. Dragonfly Lake and farm trails.
Dairyland Farm World
Summercourt, Newquay
Tel: 01872 510246
www.dairylandfarmworld.com
120 cows milked in Clarabelle's 'Spage-age' orbiter, adventure playground, country life museum, nature trail, farm park, pets and daily events.
Eden Project
Bodelva, St Austell
Tel: 01726 811911
www.edenproject.com
An unforgettable experience in a breathtaking epic location. Eden is a gateway into the fascinating world of plants and people.
Exmoor Falconry & Animal Farm
West Lynch Farm, Minehead
Tel: 01643 862816
www.exmoorfalconry.co.uk
Historic 15th century farm with hand-tame, rare breed farm animals, pets' corner, birds of prey and owls. Flying displays daily. Short activity breaks.
Flambards Village
Culdrose Manor, Helston
Tel: 01326 573404
www.flambards.co.uk
Life-size Victorian village with fully stocked shops, carriages and fashions. 'Britain in the Blitz' life-size wartime street, historic aircraft. Science centre and rides.
International Animal Rescue
Animal Tracks, South Molton
Tel: 01769 550277
www.iar.org.uk
A 60-acre animal sanctuary with a wide range of rescued animals from monkeys to chinchillas and from shire horses and ponies to donkeys, goats and pigs. Also rare plant nursery.
Longleat
Longleat, Warminster
Tel: 01985 844400
www.longleat.co.uk
Elizabethan stately home, safari park plus a wonderland of 10 family attractions. 'World's Longest Hedge Maze', Safari Boats, Pets Corner, Longleat railway and Adventure Castle.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Heligan, St Austell
Tel: 01726 845100
www.heligan.com
Gardeners' World 'The Nation's Favourite Garden' 2002. The world famous, award-winning garden restoration is now complemented by a pioneering wildlife conservation project.
Lyme Regis Philpot Museum
Bridge Street, Lyme Regis
Tel: 01297 443370
www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk
Fossils, geology, local history, literary connections – The story of Lyme in its landscape.
National Maritime Aquarium
Rope Walk, Plymouth
Tel: 01752 600301
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
The UK's only world-class aquarium, located in the heart of Plymouth. Visitor experiences include a mountain stream and Caribbean reef complete with sharks.
Newquay Zoo
Trenance Park, Newquay
Tel: 01637 873342
www.newquayzoo.co.uk
A modern award-winning zoo, where you can have fun and learn at the same time. A varied collection of animals, from Antelope to Zebra.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park
Totnes Road, Paignton
Tel: 01803 697500
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
One of England's largest zoos with over 1,200 animals in the beautiful setting of 75 acres of botanical gardens. The zoo is one of Devon's most popular family days out.
Powderham Castle
Kenton, Exeter
Tel: 01626 890243
www.powderham.co.uk
Built c1390, restored in 18th century, Georgian interiors, china, furnishings and paintings. Family home of the Courtenays for over 600 years. Fine views across deer park and River Exe.
Railway Village Museum
34 Faringdon Road, Swindon
Tel: 01793 466553
www.steam-museum.org.uk
Foreman's house in original Great Western Railway village. Furnished to re-create a Victorian working-class home.
Roman Baths
Pump Room, Bath
Tel: 01225 477785
www.romanbaths.co.uk
2000 years ago, around Britain's hot springs, the Romans built this great temple and spa that still flows with natural hot water.
St. Michael's Mount
Marazion, Penzance
Tel: 01736 710507
www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk
Originally the site of a Benedictine chapel, castle on its rock dates from 12th century. Fine views towards Land's End and the Lizard. Reached by foot, or ferry at high tide in summer.
Smugglers Barn
Abbotsbury, Weymouth
Tel: 01305 871817
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/tithebarn.html
Soft play undercover with a smuggling theme for children under 11 years. Other activities include rabbit and guinea pig cuddling. Pony rides (extra charge).
Steam - Museum of The Great Western Railway
Kemble Drive, Swindon
Tel: 01793 466646
www.steam-museum.org.uk
Historic Great Western Railway locomotives, wide range of nameplates, models, illustrations, posters and tickets.
Stonehenge
Amesbury, Salisbury
Tel: 01980 624715
www.stonehenge.org.uk
World-famous prehistoric monument built as a ceremonial centre. Started 5000 years ago and remodelled several times in next 1500 years.
Stourhead House & Garden (National Trust)
Stourton, Warminster
Tel: 01747 841152
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Landscaped garden laid out c1741-80, with lakes, temples, rare trees and plants. House begun in c1721 by Colen Campbell contains fine paintings and Chippendale furniture.
Tate Gallery St. Ives
Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
Tel: 01736 796226
www.tate.org.uk
Opened in 1993 and offering a unique introduction to modern art. Changing displays focus on the modern movement St Ives is famous for. Major contemporary exhibitions.
Tintagel Castle (English Heritage)
Tintagel
Tel: 01840 770328
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Medieval ruined castle on wild, wind-swept coast. Famous for associations with Arthurian legend. Built largely in 13th century by Richard, Earl of Cornwall.
Woodlands Leisure Park
Blackawton, Totnes
Tel: 01803 712598
www.woodlandspark.com
All weather fun guaranteed; unique combination indoor and outdoor attractions, 3 water coasters, toboggan run, indoor venture centre with rides. Falconry and animals.
Wookey Hole Caves & Papermill
Wookey Hole, Wells
Tel: 01749 672243
www.wookey.co.uk
Spectacular caves and legendary home of the Witch of Wookey. Working Victorian paper mill including Old Penny Arcade, Magical Mirror Maze and Cave Diving Museum.