Coastal charm and medieval myths in England’s West Country

The ‘toe of England’ comprising Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset enjoys more hours of sunshine than almost anywhere else in England. This is just one of the many reasons it’s a great place to visit!

Known as the West Country, the area offers panoramic sea views, fresh ocean breezes and quaint seaside villages with excellent seafood restaurants. Being a peninsula, the roads don’t lead anywhere, so the place has a relaxed, off the beaten track, vibe.

If you have the time and the thirst for the outdoors, hike all or part of the South West Coast Path. It leads 1,000km from the peninsula’s north coast near the border of Somerset and Devon, along the Atlantic-battered coastline to Land’s End, and along the south coast to the outskirts of Bournemouth.

One of the highlights of the path is the spectacular St. Ives B ay along the north Cornish coast. Grey seals and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted offshore, as can an array of seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. The views take in Godrevy Island, which was the inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s famous novel To the Lighthouse.

St. Ives, traditionally a fishing town, has become one of England’s top beach spots and an artist colony. It’s also a great base to explore the area for a few days with reliable train services linking St. Ives to nearby towns such as Carbis and Lelant.

Penzance, the town bearing the name of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan musical, enjoys such a mild climate that palm trees and subtropical plants grow here in abundance. It’s the starting point for a trip to St Michael’s Mount, a fairytale island with an exotic garden, ancient harbour and medieval castle. Access to the island is along a cobbled causeway.

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From Penzance, catch a ride to the Isles of Scilly (around 50km offshore) by plane, helicopter or ferry. Five of the islands are inhabited, the most notable being Tresco, famous for its Abbey Garden. Some of the finest sub-tropical flora and fauna growing outdoors in the northern hemisphere are found here.

Land’s End is, unsurprisingly, the very tip of the ‘toe’ and the most westerly part of mainland Britain. Here, the Atlantic Sea and English Channel join forces to lash the nearby granite cliffs, creating stunning scenery along the coastal walks.

Around 80km east of St. Ives is the Eden Project, two gigantic geodesic conservatories; one that grows the fruits and flowers of the Mediterranean, South Africa and California, and the other a majestic rainforest. It attracts over a million visitors each year, so you’re unlikely to be alone when viewing its beauty! Famous for its bogs and exposed granite hilltops known as tors, Dartmoor National Park in south Devon covers an area of 954 square kilometres. It’s home to prehistoric standing stones and around 5,000 hut circles (remnants of Bronze Age houses). The area abounds with myths and legends, particularly about mythical creatures called pixies.

Be careful in Dartmoor. Many visitors veer off the paths each year, ending up lost and waist-high in bog as the mist rolls in fast around them. Use a compass and map!

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