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Scoot across to the Isle of Wight by ferry from Lymington, Portsmouth or Southampton, and instantly you’ll feel like you have stepped back in time. I’ll always cherish this place, thanks to a poorly planned trip to traverse around the whole island for charity with my dear friend Rhona when we were 15 and woefully unaware of how heavy a backpack could be – but with each step, the beauty overcame any regrets we had.
As with much of the coast, the ancient fossils that give the route its name can often be spotted here in the cliffs or by visiting the museums, and for the perfect morning waking to lapping waves, you can even sleep in a chalet right on the beach.
While the Isle of Purbeck is no Island at all, and the most visited attraction is likely is Old Harry Rocks, chalk towers rising from the ocean, this whole stretch of the Jurassic Coast is magnificent to hike along and embrace the refreshing coastal waters.
Exeter
Sure, Durdle Door, further along, is where all the crowds go, and it shouldn’t be missed, but if you want a more relaxed swimming spot, then Chapman’s Pool Beach (although unguarded) is the place to do so! Slightly further along the coast is Kimmeridge Bay, where my Mum enjoyed her summer holidays as a kid – nowadays you must pay to enter and park on the private lane, so we don’t visit as often. However, the mammoth photo print I gifted her one Birthday is a constant reminder of its beauty in their kitchen.
Don’t let that deter you from visiting, though, as with 787sq miles in this preserved area and countless other quaint villages; it’s a beautiful spot to spend a few days rambling and soaking up the best of the British countryside.
St Michael’s Mount
Castle Combe & The Cotswolds
Bathed in glorious summer light, waves breaking upon beaches of treasured fossils, laughter spilling out from country pub gardens and the addictive scent of fish and chips floating through the air – my childhood memories of the South West of England (Dorset, to be precise) will always be fondly remembered.
The impressive Gothic exterior of the Cathedral invites you inside to admire the vaulted ceilings and magnificent windows. At the same time, it makes for a great base to explore nearby Dartmoor National Park, verdant and ripe for hiking or horse riding adventures. For something a little special, venture into the medieval underground passageways, once used for transporting water, for a deeper diver into Exeter’s history.
Dartmouth
Set amongst all the magic of South Devon, Dartmouth can be scarce of visitors in the off-season, a profound change of pace from the summer months. Colourful houses are stacked up alongside equally colourful boats in the harbour, which winds up the river Dart inland – making it an ideal destination for all kinds of watersports.
Many of my family live in Wiltshire, home of the Cotswolds Area of Natural Beauty – and it certainly lives up to its name. With many summer holidays spent in nearby Chippenham visiting loved ones, Castle Combe has always been a delightful little village full of charm and good memories – but now it seems to have earned itself a reputation as one of the most picturesque villages in all of England, and the Instagram crowd has started flocking there.
Cheddar Gorge
Set in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, where aptly nearby my brother worked in Cheddar Factory, this magnificent limestone gorge and cave system is well worth a stop on any journey down to the south coast – and the dramatic drive on the surrounding roads is as much part of the experience.
With National Trust properties and sights nearby, and the good-for-kids Woodlands Family Theme Park, it’s an excellent base to explore Devon. While waterfront accommodation can get booked out quickly, escaping any crowds is more than possible by staying a little inland, whether it’s camping, in another village, or getting in touch with nature at a jazzed-up yurt crafted from Cedar surrounded by woodland.
Chapman’s Pool Beach & Kimmeridge Bay
Staying close by makes an ideal base to enjoy this slightly less hectic stretch of coast, with the Perranuthnoe to Porthleven coastal walk an absolute favourite of mine. For a magnificent view of St Michael’s at golden hour, settle in around the fire pit of a luxury camping pod from a privileged position and admire the coast, including the Lizard Peninsula, in all its glory.
Stretching from Cornwall to The Cotswolds, this collection of counties offers visitors the chance to hike through forests meeting friendly ponies, sun themselves on some of the best beaches in the land, devour freshly caught seafood, head on an island escape or wine and dine in now-trendy cities such as Bristol and Bournemouth. But sadly, many visitors to the neck of the woods I called home make a beeline to the most famous spots, such as St Ives, which get packed in high season and overlook so much more which this region has to offer.
Lyme Regis
The county town of Exeter is a delightful spot to visit on a tour of the South West. A historic walled settlement on the River Exe, facades of timber and crooked buildings line the streets.
Another rather popular spot in Dorset is Lyme Regis, a seaside town like many of the others along the coast – however, for some reason, this one just feels ‘special’. Every time my school friends’ WhatsApp group comes alive with the chatter of us all returning for summer, it’s usually here we set out sights on enjoying a few days away together.
Brownsea Island
For any locals reading this, they will likely be shouting at the screen right now for omitting so many fabulous places in the South West of England because, well, we simply have so many places to choose from. Whether you want to rest up in a tree-house in the woods, bed down in a converted cart, or while away the days wistfully gazing at the ocean, you’ll find plenty more unique places to stay in the region on the Unique hideaways website.
Isle of Wight
While there is no denying it’s firmly on the tourist track, the tidal island of Saint Michael’s Mount – the ‘sister’ of France’s Mont St Michel – shouldn’t be overlooked. At low tide, it’s possible to walk on water, so to speak, crossing from the Marazion Beach on the mainland over the causeway. Once back on terra firma, you can explore the castle and grounds, including the splendid castle gardens.
On a perfect summer’s day, the beaches here will dazzle you, and on a clear night, the stargazing is mesmerising, especially if you are lost and camping. Hire a Kayak to take in the chalk needles rocks up close (or admire them from the chairlift) and burn through all your coppers at the amusement arcades of Shanklin – The Isle of Wight Festival is also a great weekend if you time the visit right. Camping, guesthouses, and hotels of all types can be found on the Isle, but to really feel close to the island life, you can even make your base onboard a yacht or houseboat.
