Life in the South West
Bristol is a fantastic city, not only in terms of what the city itself can offer, but also in its location in the South West of England.
From the city, it is possible to reach the south coast within a little over an hour. The Jurassic Coastline is now a world heritage site and designated place of outstanding natural beauty. Devon and Cornwall are accessible from Bristol and many people flock to these counties during the holiday periods for the beautiful scenery and outdoor pursuits. Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks are located in Devon and Somerset and offer a wealth of activities such as walking, cycling, horse riding and camping as well as offering some wonderful historic sites and places of interest to visit.
To the north of Bristol are the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire. The Cotswolds are very popular with visitors and seen as an area of 'quintessential englishness'. There are a number of fine hotels, pubs and B&Bs in which to stay and eat. If you enjoy shopping the nearby city of Bath is a must-visit, and it is possible to pick up lovely souvenirs in the towns and villages through the Cotswold region. You may also like to shop for antiques and the area enjoys a wealth of places in which to go antique shopping!
The Cotswolds is generally thought of as having some of the finest gardens in England and there are a number you can visit here. These include Mill Dene Gardens, Westonbirt Arboretum and Painswick Rococo Gardens. Blenheim Palace is also located in the Cotswolds and is famed as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Calcot Spa and Country Hotel can offer some welcome relaxation after all the siteseeing, and if venturing into Bath the Roman Baths are well worth a visit.
Located in Wells are the Wookey Hole Caves and papermill and these prove a popular tourist attraction. They are not located far from the city of Bath.
The southwest also includes a number of airports, easily accessible from motorways. The main ones include Bristol Airport and Exeter International Airport.
