Days out in the South West (2026)

The South West features beaches, coastal paths, historic towns, family attractions, countryside walks and natural landmarks across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and the surrounding area. It's a varied region with plenty of places to explore throughout the year.

Use our South West days out guide to find a family day out, indoor activities, fun things to do with the kids, day trips for couples or a place to visit this weekend.

Select an area to explore

Bristol museums, attractions & family places to visit

Bristol offers museums, galleries, family attractions and historic landmarks, with plenty of cultural and city‑based days out across the area.

• Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park - Keynsham, Bristol
• Blaise Castle House Museum - Bristol
• Bristol Aquarium - Bristol
• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery - Bristol
• Brunel's ss Great Britain - Bristol
• Glenside Hospital Museum - Bristol
• Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf Bristol - Bristol
• M Shed - Bristol
• Noah's Ark Zoo Farm - Wraxall
• Oakham Treasures - Portbury
• Old Down Country Park - Tockington, Bristol
• Caddy Gilmore's Adventure Golf - Hambrook, Bristol, BS16
• The Red Lodge Museum - Bristol
• Wot Pots - Bristol

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Cornwall coastal attractions & historic places to visit

Cornwall is known for its beaches, coastal paths, gardens and ancient sites, offering scenic days out across the county.

• Antony - Torpoint
• Cotehele - near Saltash
• Chysauster Ancient Village - Newmill, Penzance
• Glendurgan Garden - Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth
• Godolphin - Godolphin Cross, Helston
• Greens Cafe, Crazy Golf and Grass Putting - Padstow
• Lanhydrock - Bodmin
• Lappa Valley Steam Railway - Newquay
• Restormel Castle - Lostwithiel
• St Mawes Castle - St Mawes, Nr Truro
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan - Pentewan, St Austell
• Tintagel Castle - Tintagel, PL34
• Tintagel Old Post Office - Tintagel, PL34
• Trelissick Garden - Feock, near Truro, TR3
• Trengwainton Garden - Madron, near Penzance, TR20

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Devon castles, gardens & family attractions

Devon blends castles, gardens, museums and family attractions with coastal scenery and countryside walks throughout the county.

• A la Ronde - Exmouth, EX8
• Allhallows Museum of Lace and Local Antiquities - Honiton
• Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum - Arlington, near Barnstaple
• Berry Pomeroy Castle - Berry Pomery, Totnes
• Bradley - Newton Abbot
• Branscombe - Seaton
• Brixham Heritage Museum - Brixham
• Castle Drogo - Drewsteignton, near Exeter
• Dartmouth Castle - Dartmouth
• Exeter's Underground Passages - Exeter
• Go Ape Haldon Forest - Kennford, Exeter
• Knightshayes Court - Bolham, Tiverton
• Okehampton Castle - Okehampton
• The Milky Way Adventure Park - Clovelly, Bideford
• Totnes Castle - Totnes, TQ9

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Dorset coastal landmarks & family attractions

Dorset features beaches, coastal landmarks, wildlife parks and historic sites, offering a mix of seaside and countryside days out.

• Abbotsbury Swannery - Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth
• Compton Acres - Poole
• Corfe Castle - Corfe Castle, Wareham
• Crazy Monsters - Blandford Forum
• Farmer Palmer's Farm Park - Organford, Poole
• Gold Hill Museum and Garden - Shaftesbury
• Kingston Lacy - Wimborne Minster
• Lemur Landings Soft Play - Poole
• Portland Castle - Castletown
• Sherborne Old Castle - Castleton, Sherborne
• Splashdown Poole - Poole
• The Dinosaur Museum - Dorchester
• The Keep Military Museum - Dorchester
• Wimborne Minster Model Town - Wimborne Minster

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Gloucestershire Cotswold attractions & places to visit

Gloucestershire is home to Cotswold villages, gardens, wildlife parks and historic estates, with plenty of scenic days out across the county.

• Birdland Park and Gardens - Bourton-on-the-Water
• Chedworth Roman Villa - Yanworth, near Cheltenham
• Cotswold Farm Park - Guiting Power, nr. Cheltenham
• Dr Jenner's House - Berkeley
• Dyrham Park - Dyrham, near Bath
• Rugrats and Half Pints - Cirencester, GL7
• Hidcote - Hidcote Bartrim, near Chipping Campden
• Jungle Chums Soft Play - Milbury Heath, GL12
• Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate - Aldsworth, near Cheltenham
• Newark Park - Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge
• Snowshill Manor and Garden - Snowshill, near Broadway
• Westbury Court Garden - Westbury-on-Severn, GL14
• Woodchester Park - near Nailsworth, GL10

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Somerset caves, coast & countryside attractions

Somerset offers caves, coastal towns, historic sites and countryside walks, with a wide mix of family and outdoor attractions.

• Barrington Court - Barrington, near Ilminster
• Bath Postal Museum - Bath
• Butlins Minehead - Minehead
• Cheddar Gorge - Cheddar, BS27
• Cleeve Abbey - Washford, Watchet
• Dunster Castle - Dunster, near Minehead
• Exmoor Pony Centre - Ashwick, Dulverton
• Farleigh Hungerford Castle - Bath
• Ham Wall RSPB Reserve - Meare, Nr Glastonbury
• Lytes Cary Manor - near Somerton
• Prior Park Landscape Garden - Bath
• The Walled Gardens of Cannington - Cannington, Nr Bridgwater
• Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum - Westonzoyland, Bridgwater
• Wookey Hole - Wells

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Wiltshire historic sites & family places to visit

Wiltshire features ancient landmarks, stately homes, museums and family attractions, from Stonehenge to countryside estates.

• Bowood House and Gardens - Calne
• Cholderton Charlie's Farm - Cholderton, Salisbury
• Great Chalfield Manor and Garden - near Melksham
• Jolly Roger Adventure - Swindon
• Kidz About - Swindon
• Larmer Tree Gardens - Tollard Royal, Salisbury
• Little Urchins Softplay - Warminster
• Longleat Safari and Adventure Park - Warminster
• Lydiard House and Park - Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon
• Mompesson House - Salisbury
• Museum of Computing - Swindon
• Old Sarum - Salisbury
• Old Wardour Castle - Salisbury
• Salisbury Cathedral - Salisbury
• Stonehenge - Amesbury

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Whether you're planning a family day out, a coastal trip for adults or a weekend visit, the South West has plenty to explore across the region.

Page Updated: 21st May 2026