6 Highlights From South West England
Spending a few days in England I was keen to travel across the South West, and my top 6 highlights were seeing the Jurassic Coast, West Bay Cliffs, Plymouth, Kynance Cove, The Eden Project and Arundel Castle.
Initially I thought it might be possible to drive along the coast and experience spectacular views but it was harder than expected. Many areas aren't reachable by car, some are private land and in other areas a lot of hiking may be required.
However, driving to Lulworth Cove, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provided a lovely view on it's own, and I had the opportunity to do one of the Jurassic Rib Rides (20 minute boat rides) along the coast which was excellent.
The boat went from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door providing great views of the Jurassic Coast. My favourite view was seeing Durdle Door from the water side where it looks like a drinking dragon.
Stopping in to see the West Bay Cliffs was well worth it, although I found myself wishing for another boat opportunity to see more of these incredible cliffs from the water!
I stayed in Plymouth for 2 nights at the Admiral's House by Maison Pierre, which is a Grade II listed building located within the historic Royal William Yard. The architecture of the surrounding buildings was stunning and it was great to see how so many of them have been renovated for modern use, with many restaurants within easy walking distance.
The view at Kynance Cove was beautiful but I wouldn't recommend driving there and back from Plymouth in one day like we did, it would be more enjoyable if you had more time and could see more along the way.
The Eden Project in Cornwall was something I'd read about and wanted to see. Built on a reclaimed mine site it is a fascinating global garden and social enterprise. Wandering through the big bio-domes you can see plants found in rainforests and mediterranean style climates around the world.
Arundel Castle was built in 1068 with various renovations taking place over the centuries that followed. The castle architecture and design are remarkable, with each room and chapel masterpieces in their own right.
The current Duke and Duchess of Norfolk still live in the castle and their family line has been linked to the property for 850 years. Visiting the castle I found it impossible to comprehend the complexity of its history, as it is rare to visit places that have exisited for almost 1,000 years. I also cannot imagine what it would be like to actually live in a castle like this. As a visitor it feels a bit like stepping into a fairy tale and I hope it brings the owners genuine joy.
