Q- What does South West England comprise of?
A- It is one of the nine official regions of England and is the largest in area and includes the countries of Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, as well as the Isles of Scilly. The largest city being Bristol. The south west of England incorporates some of the most breathtaking and diverse scenery, which stretches from the rolling Mendips hills in the east to the rugged Cornish peninsula in the south The region includes the West country and much of the ancient kingdom of Wessex. The south west of England has hundreds of miles of England's finest and most varied coastline and some of England's most beautiful and virgin countryside including two national parks that offer great opportunities for walkers and hikers, many of its prettiest hamlets, and some of England's greatest historical castles and cathedrals.
Q- What are the main tourist attractions of this region?
A- There are plenty of things to do and see in the South west England, from exotic gardens and ancient castles to pristine stately homes. There are many animal farm parks, national parks, zoos and fun amusement parks for the children, along with many of the best sandy beaches in Britain for the whole family to enjoy. The south west has some excellent areas for walking - such as Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor, the Mendip Hills, Quantocks and the Exmoor National Park - not to forget the spectacular South west coast path, the longest public right of way in Britain. Apart from Bristol Bath and Plymouth, the southwest is an essentially rural region, with many small towns proud of their historic heritage. It is an area much appreciated for its natural environment, its many pretty villages with their old traditional inns and pubs and its pace of life. In summer, its magnificent beaches and secluded coves attract visitors of all ages; and throughout the year, its coastline is popular with retired people and walkers.
Q- What is the Climate in the West country?
A- It has an Oceanic climate that typically experiences cool winters and warmer summers and precipitation all year around. It is the second windiest region of the UK. Areas of moorland inland such as: Bodmin moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor experience lower temperatures and more precipitation than the rest of the south west , because of their high altitude. Both of these factors also cause it to experience the highest levels of snowfall and the lowest levels of sunshine.
Q- What are the means of transport available in this region?
A- The region lies on several main line railways thus making this area easy to reach. Passenger airports in the region include Bristol, Exeter, Newquay and Bournemouth. Within the region the local transport authorities carry out transport planning through the use of a Local Transport Plan (LTP) which outlines their strategies, policies and implementation programme.
