Top 5 South West England Tours: Amazing Sights & Cruises
South West England, now that’s just a place brimming with some fantastic history, scenic beauty, and loads of charming spots. It’s almost calling your name if your looking for a get away that has it all! From the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to the rugged coast of Cornwall, there’s seriously something here for pretty much every kind of explorer. This guide shines a light on five of the most remarkable tours, sightseeing adventures, and cruise experiences that really show off what this part of England’s got going on. Each section gives a really in depth look, offering a bit of advice and inside information that is definitely going to help you shape your trip. We’ll cover iconic landmarks and some of the coolest hidden gems, offering some travel tips and bits of local knowledge so that you’ll be able to make some unbelievable memories. Okay, let’s jump in and see what the South West is offering!
1. Cheddar Gorge & Caves Day Tour from Bristol
Just outside of Bristol, the Cheddar Gorge & Caves Day Tour provides a peek at one of England’s most impressive natural attractions. Is that right? Yeah, pretty much. This really amazing tour starts off from Bristol and whisks you off to Cheddar Gorge, a jaw dropping limestone gorge formed during the Ice Age. Very old right? Pretty much, its steep cliffs and caves, well, those were just naturally decorated with all kinds of stalactites and stalagmites. As I was saying, a guided exploration tends to cover the main caves, and these often include Gough’s Cave and Cox’s Cave. Seriously both are totally stacked with interesting geological formations and underground streams. These caves, very important for their archeological finds, have unveiled that way back, prehistoric people called it home. That’s pretty interesting isn’t it?
Along with the caves, this tour usually lets you get up on some hiking trails above the gorge, right, and this can deliver some unreal panoramic views of the countryside. You could also explore the village of Cheddar. Its where the yummy Cheddar cheese comes from by the way, here there are small artisan shops selling cheese, local crafts, and gifts, naturally. First of all a visit to the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company provides, right, you with a very rare peek at the traditional cheese making process. You could also grab some samples.
Who this tour is geared towards is pretty broad, from geology nerds, cave lovers, and anybody that wants to experience the gorgeous landscape, so too it’s almost for everyone! Its accessible year round, with tours often lasting around 6 to 8 hours, offering a full day of discovery in the heart of Somerset. As a matter of fact don’t forget to wear very comfy shoes for walking, and consider layers since it could be a bit cool inside the caves.
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2. Jurassic Coast Full-Day Tour from Bournemouth
Now from Bournemouth, alright, the Jurassic Coast Full Day Tour takes you along some of England’s most dramatic coastlines, right. Well the area is now, still a World Heritage Site that showcases millions of years of geological history. And this tour travels along iconic sites such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
It almost features stunning natural limestone arch that was formed over millions of years because of erosion. As a matter of fact tourists here take photos and enjoy the coastal scenery, but just to be clear. Next to it is Lulworth Cove which provides almost a pretty enclosed bay that has distinctive rock formations and crystal clear waters. Now this location’s a must if your looking for an easy hike along the South West Coast Path. Another attraction is to see the fossil forest, it seems its only a very short walk from the Cove. Now this shows you plants, basically, that are about 135 million years old! Imagine that.
Basically, along the way, tours provide pretty insightful commentary on the geology and natural history, pretty fascinating for nature lovers and people eager to understand the prehistoric stories written in the stones of the coast. Pretty incredible when you think about it right? And just to be clear. They give the tour that little extra flair, now this includes tales of shipwrecks, smugglers, and some quirky local legends which make that coast extra interesting.
That, Jurassic Coast tour, tends to last about 9 to 10 hours, depending, so it’s typically just the kind of length that you expect. As a matter of fact wear comfortable shoes to ensure you can wander the terrain, okay, and, because of the exposure on the coast, pack layers to cope with changes in the weather. Now that really is it isn’t it? Who the tour is geared for its wide open from photographers, to walkers, to well anybody that likes being outside.
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3. Cotswolds Day Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh
Starting out from Moreton in Marsh, is that right, well the Cotswolds Day Tour invites you to lose yourself in some super gorgeous beauty in the English countryside. Moreton-in-Marsh really is a picturesque market town right in the northern Cotswolds. And to be fair it’s often the place tours will start to take you into this famous Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And to be fair that’s not a shock at all is it?
On most tours, you’ll take in the likes of Bourton on the Water. To be fair that’s an area known as “Venice of the Cotswolds” since the river runs through the village, and Broadway, now that has a scenic main street, packed with cute little shops. Most visitors want to hit up Broadway Tower and, really, it offers stunning panoramic views that look over the Severn Valley. Really? Its totally is!
This type of tour tends to show the heart of the Cotswolds with all of the gorgeous old buildings. Some people love that the homes are made of Cotswold stone but everyone appreciates its landscape. If its a tour of historical insight, you will discover the background and find out a lot about architecture, as well as tradition and culture, now isn’t that what you want to see?! So to ensure you have some cool local info. Very important.
Okay, a Cotswolds tour usually lasts about 7 to 8 hours. So to just be aware before you set out, you will need decent shoes for doing that walking through all those pretty villages and beautiful fields. Obviously its accessible to most people with just normal levels of fitness. Its for anyone, too it’s almost aimed at nature lovers, fans of history, people seeking out great photographs, honestly, you could get some very great photos!. It seems pretty clear. Very cool indeed. Tours like these are known to be seasonal. So consider doing a tour around late spring or during summer so that everything looks its best! I mean you could too it’s almost enjoy all that sunshine.
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4. Cornwall Coastal Path Walking Tour
Now, that Cornwall Coastal Path Walking Tour goes way beyond other typical sight seeing by literally immersing visitors deep into the dramatic landscapes and wildlife areas which the coast in Cornwall provides. Is that something your into? Walking through all kinds of terrains could be very rewarding for both physical and mental wealth. I suppose that’s why loads of tourist will come to see the area. By the way its Britain’s longest continuous path.
Okay, the tour involves trails to a varied mix of famous highlights which Cornwall provides, well for instance, the stunning natural beauty of Land’s End. It’s pretty far to be fair. There are walking portions which could let you go to iconic locations that look out to gorgeous views of the rugged cliffs which really does draw photographers for hours, days or years.
I mean, one very well rated thing about doing tours on this coastal walk, I am saying, is a brilliant option to fully learn about its natural habitat of marine wildlife. It isn’t very common right? To visit such an awesome tourist spot and being encouraged and be a part of some learning programmes at the same time? That might just change your whole view of it entirely!
These tours really should last about a week or longer. And like your fitness matters because the coast offers tough, physical demands when you go exploring those beautiful headlands. You’ll really need equipment made up for outdoors, just you know. It usually includes proper rain gear and boots! Really make that count. As well as anybody thats super big on outdoor sports! And of course! Nature and wellness lovers! It really depends though because it might need advanced level training to do all this so you could complete such amazing tracks with zero accidents! I want to make that super clear. Really. Be cautious when you’re traveling here to this awesome coastal adventure!
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5. River Exe Cruise from Exmouth
From the harbour near Exmouth, it seems the River Exe Cruise happens and delivers some pretty calm explorations to appreciate all the beauty by the water. How does that sound? What these trips usually entail include gentle journeys that will snake, seriously through all the beautiful, Exe Estuary providing spectacular, totally incredible panoramic views from all those wildlife protected nature area sites. The cruises are suitable and for some wildlife enthusiasts. In short your gonna love these.
They should be educational. Usually the cruise ships, and there’s all sizes, I’m saying, bring commentators who tell super awesome things like a running commentary of any historical insight along with wildlife viewing stuff from this nature reserve area, pretty famous for migrations with avians that just happens from time to time. Really does depend on weather and season too as well though just to mention!
Those trips really are pretty much for anybody who loves to watch marine birds in a calm, pretty quiet cruise scene in and around the South West coastline area! Right! Typically Exe Cruises usually run a fairly modest amount. Some can be fairly small lasting nearly 2 to 3 hours max and are designed in some pretty neat way in which any disabled and elderly person could visit this cruise, to that I am talking about all levels!
So typically you will see this, in terms of planning on what the weather seems and is doing because it could dramatically just go down super quickly on the water, but seriously be mindful. Most boats do also include a partially interior section or covered exterior deck for any weather issues during the adventure trip which includes seats to accommodate various parties to keep everyone feeling included for a more pleasant vibe!. Very fun!
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