Holidays: Best of West

A HOLIDAY at home has never looked more appealing these days. And now VisitBritain, the new organisation set up to promote breaks at home, has launched a campaign urging us all to "Enjoy England".

To mark this - the first campaign of its kind for a decade - the Sunday Mirror over the next six weeks will be telling you of the delights of all the English regions. And today we start off with the South West of England...

Smugglers 'coves and sandy beaches, cathedral cities and desolate moors... this is the corner of England that's got the lot. Bristol and Bath, Devon, Dorset and Gloucestershire - are all parts of this region, but all have their own special character.

Surrounded by stunning coastline, the South West is the ideal destination for watersports lovers whether you want to relax on a boat trip or spend a day learning to sail,

Walkers will find lots of trails to follow, from the rugged beauty of Dartmoor to Britain's first Biosphere Reserve in North Devon, from the Forest of Dean's Sculpture Trail to cultural city walks.

The South West is steeped in history and legend. Wonder at mystical Stonehenge, visit Salisbury Cathedral or experience the splendour of some of the country's most grand stately homes.

Cornwall is as far west as you can go on England's mainland but is a county that has still got more to offer, how many times you are drawn back there again.

St. Just in Roseland is a fascinating creek across the estuary from Falmouth with an intriguing churchyard set in a warm sheltered hollow, thick with lush and exotic plants you would expect to find on the French Riviera.

Yet just a few miles away across the moors, huge Atlantic rollers pound ashore along the wide flat beaches at Newquay, or smash against cliffs like those at Tintagel Castle - the legendary birthplace of King Arthur.

The quality of the light still attracts artists to Newlyn and St Ives where you must be sure you view the latest exhibition at the local Tate.

For more simple pleasures, you can watch fishermen land their catch in the ports of Polperro or Mevagissey.

A must-see is the Eden Project, near St Austell, a global garden of plants from everywhere within space-age conservatories. Entrance: pounds 10 adults, pounds 4 children (5-15),under-fives free, pounds 25 family ticket (2 adults and up to three children).Visit www.edenproject.com or call 01726 811911 for more details.

HF Holidays have trips to the great Cornish gardens such as Trebah as well a full day at Eden Project on May 6, June 17, September 23, and October 21 for pounds 299 per person,including meals, admissions, transport costs and exclusive country house hotel accommodation for four nights in St. Ives. For a brochure call 020 8905 9388 or visit hfholidays. co.uk

Blakes Holidays have a chalet in St Ives Holiday Village in Lelant, St. Ives, from pounds 258 for seven nights. A Woodland Silver chalet (ref: H4139) accommodates between four and six people. The holiday village is in 150 acres of woodland about four miles from the beach. Visit www.blakes- cottages.co.uk or call 08700 708090

In West Looe try the two-star Fieldhead Hotel (01503 262 689) which charges pounds 28 per person per night for bed and breakfast, based on two sharing. And if you want something special, book into the three-star Island Hotel at Tresco on the Isles of Scilly (01720 422 883) which was voted Hotel of the Year 2002. Expect to pay pounds 114 per person for dinner, bed and breakfast.

Dedicated foodies make the trek to Padstow just to dine at TV chef Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant (01841 532 700). A three-course lunch/ dinner costs from pounds 34 a person and a seven course tasting menu from pounds 47.50

Devon conjures up images of cream teas and bucket-and-spade seaside resorts. Two miles north of Torquay is delightful Babbacombe beach at the bottom of one of England's steepest roads.

At Clovelly, 10 miles west of Bideford, colourful, flower-strewn cottages seem to tumble over one another down the cobbled street toward the tiny 14th Century harbour.

Donkeys are still the traditional means of transport, and drop in to the Fisherman Cottage (entrance is free) to find out what life was like in the village 80 years ago.

One of the world's top ten beaches, Woolacombe holds the popular Goldcoast Oceanfest from June 20 - 22...a mecca for watersports fans. Check www.northdevon.com

The three-star Woolacombe Bay Hotel (01271 870 388) have rooms from pounds 40 per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast.

The 5th North Devon Festival is held from June 7 to June 22 with 32 towns and villages across the region hosting more than 80 major events .Visit www.northdevonfestival. org or call 01271 32 42 42.

More information about activities, attractions and accommodation can be found in the 2003 North Devon & Exmoor Guide. For a free copy call 01271 336070 or write to the North Devon Marketing Bureau at PO Box 41, Department 70, Barnstaple, North Devon EX32 8LP. For further details check out www.northdevon.com

The Brixham Heritage Festival Rally and Race for sailing trawlers and gaff-rig vessels is part of Brixham's Heritage Week (May 24-31). Race categories include working boats and classic yachts.

On May Bank Holiday weekend the annual powerboat race is held off Torquay with boats hitting speeds of around 80mph.

Walkers have voted with their feet making West Dorset the most popular area of outstanding natural beauty.

Stretching from Chiswell (Chesil) Bay on the Isle of Portland to West Bay, Chesil Beach is backed by the Fleet Lagoon, a haven for wildlife.

Durdle Door is a natural rock arch and the almost circular Lulworth Cove is surrounded by dramatic cliffs.

Both the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre (01297 560772) together with the Philpot Museum and Dinosaurland in Lyme Regis, run regular guided fossil collecting walks.

It's not all cider and apples in Somerset. One of England's finest wineries, Dunkery Vineyard (01643 841505, admission pounds 3) is in Exmoor's National Park.

At the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, you can see the genuine article being made. And at the 1920s- style Cheddar Rural Village at the foot of Cheddar Gorge, there's a candle works as well as spinning and lacemaking.

If you're lucky enough to have a ticket for the Glastonbury Festival (June 27-29), National Express will be running direct services from 46 towns and cities around the UK

Tickets are available only to those holding pre-paid festival entrance tickets and fares start from pounds 23.50 (pounds 18.50 with discount card). Tickets can be booked by calling 08705 80 80 80 or through the website www. nationalexpress.com

At Bristol there's an interactive science museum while the city's Empire and Commonwealth Museum traces the history of the British Commonwealth.

Nearby Bath has always been famous for its Roman history and stunning Regency architecture such as Royal Crescent.

This summer the brand-new Thermae Bath Spa opens. The glass building will offer all the latest treatments and has a spectacular open-air thermal pool on the rooftop, with stunning views. Entry: pounds 17 for a two-hour session, pounds 23 for four hours, pounds 35 all day (9am- 10pm). Treatments cost extra.Visit www.bathspa. co.uk or call 01225 477051.

Leighton House (5 Diamond, Gold Award) in Bath (01225 314 769) have rooms from pounds 25 per person per night based on two sharing, including breakfast

For more details about the South West or for other holidays in England, a free Enjoy England brochure is available from 0845 456 3456 or log on to visitengland.com

Copyright 2003 MGN LTD
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