Devon And Cornwall Golden sand beaches, historic buildings and ruins, rustic villages and plenty of ruggedly beautiful National Parks.

Sitting on the edge of the Southwest of England are the counties of Devon and Cornwall, each with plenty on offer for the outdoor enthusiast and nature lover. Diverse Devon offers a bit of everything with golden sand beaches, historic buildings and ruins, rustic villages and plenty of ruggedly beautiful National Parks and reserves including a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Geopark. The ancient Celtic Kingdom of Cornwall is no longer just a mining and fishing area. It has reinvented itself as a creative hub that is famous for wild coastline and breathtaking beaches, icy surf spots, beautiful gardens ancestral houses, castles and unique museums.

Devon is blessed with the striking wilderness of Dartmoor; with its rolling valleys, waterfalls, ancient mystical forests, bogs, wetlands, wildlife and Neolithic monuments - get out in the countryside on one of the areas many bike and walking trails. Visit the historic city of Exeter where you can see the magnificent Exeter Cathedral, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere. Walk along cobbled streets, admiring the medieval and Georgian architecture or join the locals on a sunny day, quayside; where you’ll find quirky shops, antique stores, restaurants and pubs.

Relax at the seaside town of Torquay – known as the capital of the “English Riviera”. Be charmed by the colourful rows of beach huts, enjoy the coastal illuminations along the seafront or indulge in the lively nightlife at one of Torquay’s many bars and nightclubs.

Almost completely surrounded by sea, the dramatic coastline is one of the highlights of a visit to Cornwall – offering a playground for fans of water sports. Explore one of Britain’s favourite landmarks, Land’s End – the most westerly point in England; with its craggy cliffs and spectacular coastal views. Visit Tintagel Castle steeped in mystery and with strong mythical associations to the legend of King Arthur. The dark cave underneath the castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of Merlin.

Spend the day at the fascinating Eden Project for the world’s largest indoor rainforest, enclosed within two huge biomes and several smaller ones. The surrounding landscapes featuring vegetable gardens and artistic sculptures. It also plays host to annual musical performances called the Eden Sessions, headlined by world famous singers and bands. Explore the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan with over 200 intriguing acres to discover and unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Discover legend, myth and history on the castle topped island of St Michael’s Mount. Legend has it that Archangel Michael appeared to fisherman, where an ancient stone chair stands at the entrance to the castle, in the year 495. Now it is a close-knit island community with unique sub-tropical gardens, fresh local food and a century’s old castle waiting to be explored.

With the regions strong history of mining, there are many award winning museums to visit, particularly the King Edward Mine Museum and Geevor Tin Mine Museum. Of course, no visit to Cornwall is complete without sampling the famous Cornish pasty washed down with a cup of cream tea.