'From unspoilt coastlines to bustling cities: the region has something for everyone.'
The south-west stretches from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds down to Devon and Cornwall.
There are thousands of acres of countryside to explore, including two National Parks. The south-west also has several large cities, each with lots to offer. And being the most southerly part of the UK, it enjoys some of the country’s warmest weather.
Explore the south-west’s ancient past
The south-west was inhabited when settlers from all over Europe travelled to the UK around 3000 BC. Evidence of these early dwellers is still visible across the region. Stone circles, burial mounds and ancient hill figures scatter the landscape. The most famous of these, Stonehenge, near Salisbury, is a World Heritage Site – one of four in the south-west.
The Romans made much of the south-west, building many villas and forts mainly in the east of the region. Take a trip to the city of Bath and you can see the impressive Roman baths, built around the UK’s only naturally occurring hot springs.
You’ll also discover an independent spirit in Cornwall, shaped by its distinctive history. This part of the south-west was once its own kingdom ruled by Celtic chieftains. The Cornish language, once spoken throughout Cornwall, is still used on many public signs.
For more about the south-west’s rich history, visit the World Heritage South West website.
The south-west: shaped by the sea
You’re never far from the sea in the south-west. The region boasts 700 miles of coast, more than any other region in England.
You’ll find everything from dramatic cliff top views to charming fishing villages. You can also enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, and sample the delicious local seafood. The seaside towns of Torbay in Devon - known as the ‘English Riviera’ – are a popular destination for holiday makers.
Many of the south-west’s costal towns and cities, such as Bristol and Plymouth, have been busy sea ports for much of the last two thousand years. It was from Plymouth that the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in 1620.
For a sense of what life on the waves was like in the past, you could visit the SS Great Britain. Voted UK Museum of the Year in 2006, this restored ship allows visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells of being a Victorian at sea.
The south-west is also the surfing centre of the UK, with some of the finest surfing beaches in the world. Beautiful Whitsand Bay in Cornwall is home to Tregonhawke beach. Its long stretches of sand make it perfect to learn how to ride a surfboard.
The south-west: where creativity and innovation thrive
The south-west is an inspiring place to work and study. The region is home to a wide range of businesses, many involved in cutting-edge design and research. You’ll find lots of these companies in some of the region’s bigger towns and cities such as Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester and Plymouth.
Some of the south-west’s most important industries include:
There are thousands of acres of countryside to explore, including two National Parks. The south-west also has several large cities, each with lots to offer. And being the most southerly part of the UK, it enjoys some of the country’s warmest weather.
Explore the south-west’s ancient past
The south-west was inhabited when settlers from all over Europe travelled to the UK around 3000 BC. Evidence of these early dwellers is still visible across the region. Stone circles, burial mounds and ancient hill figures scatter the landscape. The most famous of these, Stonehenge, near Salisbury, is a World Heritage Site – one of four in the south-west.
The Romans made much of the south-west, building many villas and forts mainly in the east of the region. Take a trip to the city of Bath and you can see the impressive Roman baths, built around the UK’s only naturally occurring hot springs.
You’ll also discover an independent spirit in Cornwall, shaped by its distinctive history. This part of the south-west was once its own kingdom ruled by Celtic chieftains. The Cornish language, once spoken throughout Cornwall, is still used on many public signs.
For more about the south-west’s rich history, visit the World Heritage South West website.
The south-west: shaped by the sea
You’re never far from the sea in the south-west. The region boasts 700 miles of coast, more than any other region in England.
You’ll find everything from dramatic cliff top views to charming fishing villages. You can also enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, and sample the delicious local seafood. The seaside towns of Torbay in Devon - known as the ‘English Riviera’ – are a popular destination for holiday makers.
Many of the south-west’s costal towns and cities, such as Bristol and Plymouth, have been busy sea ports for much of the last two thousand years. It was from Plymouth that the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in 1620.
For a sense of what life on the waves was like in the past, you could visit the SS Great Britain. Voted UK Museum of the Year in 2006, this restored ship allows visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells of being a Victorian at sea.
The south-west is also the surfing centre of the UK, with some of the finest surfing beaches in the world. Beautiful Whitsand Bay in Cornwall is home to Tregonhawke beach. Its long stretches of sand make it perfect to learn how to ride a surfboard.
The south-west: where creativity and innovation thrive
The south-west is an inspiring place to work and study. The region is home to a wide range of businesses, many involved in cutting-edge design and research. You’ll find lots of these companies in some of the region’s bigger towns and cities such as Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester and Plymouth.
Some of the south-west’s most important industries include:
- aerospace design and manufacture
- creative industries
- environmental technologies
- information and communication technologies
- marine research and biotechnology tourism.
The south-west is where the modern and the natural merge. Perhaps the best example of this is the Eden Project near St Austell. Its dome-shaped greenhouses, the biggest in the world, make it an iconic UK attraction. Offering an unparalleled insight into plant life around the world, it attracts one million visitors each year. To find out more, visit the Eden Project website.
As well as being an important region for modern food production, the south-west is famous for inventing many types of traditional fare. Cornish pasties, Cheddar cheese, clotted cream and cider are all south-west culinary creations.
The region also has a long tradition of inspiring art and artists. From the thriving artistic community of St Ives in Cornwall, to the music scene around Bristol that gave birth to bands like Massive Attack, the south-west continues to breed creativity.
Choose the south-west and you’re bound to be inspired, too – whatever you study.
Useful links
World Heritage South West
As well as being an important region for modern food production, the south-west is famous for inventing many types of traditional fare. Cornish pasties, Cheddar cheese, clotted cream and cider are all south-west culinary creations.
The region also has a long tradition of inspiring art and artists. From the thriving artistic community of St Ives in Cornwall, to the music scene around Bristol that gave birth to bands like Massive Attack, the south-west continues to breed creativity.
Choose the south-west and you’re bound to be inspired, too – whatever you study.
Useful links
World Heritage South West
You can use the Education UK Search tool - to the top-right of the Education UK website - to find a place to study in this region that interests you.
And take a look at our own interactive map of the UK to explore the area.
You can find out more about UK regions at Visit Britain.
And take a look at our own interactive map of the UK to explore the area.
You can find out more about UK regions at Visit Britain.
