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Places To Visit in The South West
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Minack Theatre
The Cornish theatre with real ‘wow’ factor is the Minack. Perched on the cliffs at Porthcurno, the Minack is an open-air theatre-in-the-round – and a triumph of vision over reality.
www.minack.com
50.04213
-5.654886
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Castle Drogo
England's youngest castle, designed by Lutyens and built of Dartmoor granite with all the mod-cons of the 1920's. At 300 metres high, it catches the wildest of Dartmoor’s weather. Try a spot of croquet on the croquet lawn or amble through the garden and miles of walks in the Teign Gorge.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
50.695
-3.812
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50.494
-4.226
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50.077
-5.702
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50.905
-3.489
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Berry Head National Nature Reserve
A haven for rare and threatened species, Berry Head is home to one of the largest colonies of Guillemots on England's south coast. The Visitor Centre lets you watch them on CCTV and there are also many other migrant birds that come to the reserve. The limestone peninsular, which forms the southern arm of Tor Bay, is home to two Napoleonic-era forts as well as gardens rich with wild flowers from May to August and caves that house horseshoe bats.
www.countryside-trust.org.uk
50.399
-3.497
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Berry Pomeroy Castle
Reputedly Devon's most haunted castle, Berry Pomeroy is secreted away in a steep wooded valley. The 15th century ruin still displays a wall painting of the Three Kings in its gatehouse chamber. The great Elizabethan mansion of the Seymours was intended to become the most spectacular house in Devon, a match for Longleat and Audley End, however, it was abandoned by 1700 and subsequently became the subject of many a chilling ghost story, some of which can be heard in the audio tour. To get a good view of the ruin from below, take the woodland walk, although this can be steep in parts.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.15446
50.443
-3.64
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Bodmin & Wenford Railway
The Bodmin & Wenford Railway is a Standard Gauge Railway that operates mainly steam locomotives in the Duchy of Cornwall.
Enjoy a 13 mile round trip on this steeply graded line through the beautiful countryside. The main station on the line is at Bodmin General. Boscarne Junction provides a direct link with the Camel Trail (bicycles can be taken on the train). Bodmin Parkway station is on the main rail ...
www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
50.461
-4.712
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50.69226
-3.137698
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50.383
-5.01
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Dartington Hall
Dance, arts, film, contemporary performance, literature, music - there's a year-round programme of events at this wonderful medieval house set on a 1,200 acre estate by the River Dart.
www.dartington.org
50.45166
-3.692619
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Exeter Underground Passages
Explore the medival passages that lie beneath Exeter High Street. Learn about the history of the tunnels with an interactive display, exhibition and film, then don a hard hat for a guided tour of the pasages that once piped fresh water to the city.
www.exeter.gov.uk/passages
50.7247
-3.526731
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Godrevy
Godrevy is a locality in far west Cornwall with high cliffs, sheltered coves and sandy beaches. With The National Trust owning all of the land from Godrevy to Navax Point there are plenty of walks where seals, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars are a common sight.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-godrevy
50.238
-5.393
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Jubilee Pool
This distinctive open air pool sits on Penzance's prom, enjoying stunning views across Mount's Bay. The Art Deco-style lido, complete with sun terraces and a cafe, is lifeguarded and open from May to September.
www.jubileepool.co.uk
50.11433
-5.531652
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51.194
-4.09
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Longleat Safari Park
Lots to see and do here - as well as the safari park, there is Longleat stately home and gardens, plus plenty of activities and attractions to entertain the family.
51.186
-2.277
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Merrivale Stones
Dartmoor is littered with mysterious standing stones, hut circles and old burial chambers believed to have been constructed up to 5,000 years ago. The stones at Merrivale are probably Dartmoor's most easily accessible, and include the longest double stone row in Europe, a stone circle, menhirs (standing stones) and a kistvaen (burial tomb).
50.555
-4.039
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Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
Cycling, fishing, walks, golf, rope swings; there are loads of activities to try here. Choose how active you want to be - swinging through the trees on the Go Ape rope swings, chugging along taking in the scenery on the narrow gauge steam railway, or just relaxing with a picnic by the lake. A great way to spend the day in the Dorset countryside.
www.moors-valley.co.uk
50.85
-1.85
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National Marine Aquarium
Check out the oceans’ strangest creatures and marvel at the beauty of the coral reef. With 50 live exhibits, three massive tanks, over 4000 animals, and six zones to explore- Explorocean, The Shallows, Atlantic Reef, Mediterranean Sea, Weird Creatures and Coral Seas - there’s plenty to keep the family entertained. Budding scientists and ocean explorers will love Explorocean, two floors of interactive exhibits exploring how technology is being used to help us understand and care for our oceans.
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
50.366
-4.131
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Pecorama Model Railway
Up on the hillside above the pretty fishing village of Beer, Pecorama is home to the Peco Model Railway Exhibition and The Beer Heights Light Railway. The miniature railway carries passengers through the grounds, with great views over Beer and Lyme Bay. On site you'll also find children's play areas, crazy golf, a refreshments car and the colourful Millenium Gardens. During the summer, jugglers, magicians and clowns perform at the Top Spot Garden Theatre.
www.peco-uk.com/Pecorama/Pecorama.htm
50.69622
-3.100976
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50.591
-4.834
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50.046
-5.657
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50.077
-5.702
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The Kingcombe Centre
An environmental study centre in the heart of West Dorset. Situated in a Nature Reserve, 'the farm that time forgot' uses traditional farming methods to work the land and offers courses and lectures on the local flora and fauna as well as art and music.
www.kingcombecentre.org.uk
50.79
-2.634
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50.901
-3.488
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Torre Abbey Histoic House and Garden
Explore the ancient ruins of what was once the wealthiest abbey of its kind in England. Try your hand at brass rubbing, take a stroll in the gardens, visit the galleries and round it off with lunch at the cafe in the old kitchen or out on the terrace.
www.torre-abbey.org.uk
50.465
-3.542
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50.11
-5.576
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St Michael's Mount
This local landmark looks like something straight out of a fairytale; a medieval castle perched on top of a little tidal island, complete with cobbled streets and even its own harbour and gardens. At low tide, 'the Mount' can easily be reached on foot from Marazion town by way of a man-made granite causeway. Wait for high tide to take the lazy option and go by ferry. If you've got time to kill while you wait, you can enjoy the view across Mount's Bay with a pint in hand at The Godolphin Arms near the ferry departure point.
www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk
50.116
-5.476
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The Eden Project
It hardly needs any introduction…This global garden with its iconic Biomes is home to millions of plants and flowers reflecting the diversity of our planet. Marvel at the largest greenhouse in the world, see internationally-acclaimed architecture and art inspired by nature, or go to a gig at the renowned Eden Sessions. Children can learn about humans' complex relationship with nature in The Core interactive education centre or go free-range and explore trails, hideaways and sandpits. A wide range of cafes and restaurants provide delicious, responsibly-resourced refuelling stops and the shop is crammed full of interesting gift and souvenir ideas. An organic project that just keeps on growing, a visit to The Eden Project is an awe-inspiring experience.
www.edenproject.com
50.359
-4.743
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Roskilly's
Taste life on a working organic Cornish farm. Walk the ponds, feed the ducks, watch the cows being milked and then indulge with some of the best ice cream in the county.
www.roskillys.co.uk
50.04433
-5.083606
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Trevaskis Farm
Set in 28 acres of beautiful Cornish countryside, Trevaskis Farm has an abundance of fruit and veggies to pick whatever the weather (lots of the crops grow under cover). There's also a restaurant serving nice big healthy portions; their recipes will inspire you with ideas for turning your hand-plucked fruit into mouthwatering treats. Pick up some organic goodies from the well-stocked farm shop before going home to cook up a storm.
www.trevaskisfarm.co.uk
50.19881
-5.352863
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Trebah Garden
There's subtropical lushness around every corner at these stunning gardens on the banks of the Helford River. The views from the 18th Century house across the gardens to the river are not to be missed. Wend your way through camellia groves and chusan palms, woodlands and bamboo; meander alongside pools and streams, giant-leafed gunnera and hydrangeas, to emerge onto Trebah's private beach. Perfect for a swim and a picnic in summer. Not picnic weather? Head to the Planters Cafe (winner of the 2008 Cornwall Tourism Award for Popular Restaurant/Cafe of the Year) or have a browse in the gallery and plant shops. One of Cornwall's, if not England's, finest gardens.
www.trebahgarden.co.uk
50.10354
-5.123779
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50.127
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50.128
-5.52
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RHS Rosemoor
Set deep in the north Devon countryside, The Rosemoor estate was once the home of Lady Anne Palmer. Lady Anne developed a passion for plants when she met noted plantsman Colllingwood Ingram while recuperating from measles in Spain. Over the next 30 years, she travelled the world to collect specimens for her garden, which she gave to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1988. The estate now comprises 65 acres of land, which includes rose gardens, a winter garden, a fruit and vegetable garden, a formal garden, woodlands, and many stream and lakeside plantings, making Rosemoor an enchanting place to visit whatever the season.
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor
50.94267
-4.137489
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50.214
-5.483
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Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Planted as a kitchen garden in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester, today Abbotsbury Gardens bring together rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Scintillate your senses with a visit to the world famous camellia groves and magnolias, enjoy a sedate stroll in the walled gardens or go wild for the stunning woodland valley views. The BBC's Alan Titchmarsh declared them to be 'one of the finest gardens I have ever visited'. See for yourself. If it leaves your green fingers itching for some action, you can choose from a superb range of quality plants at the Specialist Plant Nursery.
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens
50.662
-2.629
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Carn Euny Ancient Village
Imagine what life was like as an Iron Age villager. Budding archaeologists will love exploring this ancient, yet well-preserved settlement, which is thought to have thrived from the Iron Age until late Roman times. Carn Euny is probably best-known for its well-preserved fogou (Cornish for 'cave'), an underground passageway over 20 metres long. Fogous are intriguing structures and no one really knows what they were used for. Experts say they may have been used for storage, habitation or rituals, but their true purpose remains a mystery. Dare yourself to enter and make your own mind up. To get there, take the A30 past Penzance towards Land's End, turn right at Drift, then left before Sancreed, park at Brane and follow the footpath. Entry is free.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.15225
50.102
-5.634
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Glendurgan Garden
A sheltered valley garden bordering the Helford River next door to Trebah. 'A little 'peace' of heaven on earth' is how the Fox family, who donated Glendurgan to the National Trust, described the garden. With fine trees, rare and exotic plants from all over the world, carpets of wild flowers, and stunning spring displays of camellias and magnolias, it is a little slice of peace served up on the banks of the Helford. The Maze and the 'Giant's Stride' rope swing are firm favourites with the kids; the impressive Laurel Maze will baffle and delight all ages.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
50.106
-5.117
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Helston Folk Museum
The artefacts here sprawl across two floors and five halls. Well laid out, the museum charts the social history of the area with evocative exhibitions.
50.1
-5.275
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 | A few hints for your trip beyond Penzance and St Ives to Cornwall's Far West. |
 | Browse our selection of hand-picked activities for days out and short breaks in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. |
 | View your personal itinerary of things to do, places to visit and where to eat on your holiday. |
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