Barnstaple, North Devon
www.devon-online.com

Bideford is a small town and port lying on the River Torridge which flows to the sea at Appledore, two miles downstream. 

Bideford of the past was a thriving port which traded in agricultural goods and china clay. It is now more of a tourist resort but still has some activity at the port. The main quay is the focus of the town with small twisting streets running up from this area in to the town. Bideford has two picturesque bridges - the  one from the past is built of stone with arches that are all different widths and links the main town to East-the-Water, the new bridge is constructed of concrete and spans the River Torridge downstream and carries the A39 the main linking road for North Devon.

Victoria Park, The Quay, Bideford ,EX39 2QQ  Tel 01237 477676
Fax 01237 421853  Email: bidefordtic@visit.org.uk

32 South St, Bridport,  DT6 3NQ 
Tel: 01308 424901 Fax: 01308 421060  
Website:  www.westdorset.com

Bristol may be regarded as the gateway to the Westcountry which is more or less right if you are travelling from the north of the country. However there are people in the far west who regard Bristol as being in the Midlands! Which ever view you take Bristol is a fascinating area in its own right and is well worth a visit.

Bristol's early history was as a flourishing port, although situated seven miles upstream from the Seven estuary most ships of that time could navigate the river. In early times this trade consisted of cocoa, sugar tobacco and slaves. With manufactured goods and cloth going in the opposite direction. The dock area of Bristol were constructed at this time but have now been put to other uses. As the size of ships grew the river became to narrow to navigate and maritime trade shifted to Avonmouth and Bristol turned to other trades. At the present time Bristol is a busy city with a wide variety of economic activity and lively nightlife with plenty of clubs and bars. Within Bristol itself there are many things to see and do, stroll along the river front and visit the cafes and restaurants, or head for one of the major attractions that are available within the city. 

The Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the Avon gorge and is a prime example of Britain's industrial heritage. Designed by Isambard Brunel the bridge is 75m above the river and was completed in 1864, having taken 28 years to finish. Bristol Zoo is quite large and has gorillas and a rainforest section among many other features . SS Great Britain is moored in the dock area and was the first large ship to be built of iron and driven by a propeller. This is another of Brunel's stunning achievements and Bristol is justifiably proud of this Victorian engineer who was a resident of the city

Centre Harbourside, Anchor Road, WildWalk At Bristol, Bristol. BS1 5DB
Tel: 0906 711 2191

Bournemouth lies directly to the east of Poole but they are conjoined - one and the same to all intents and purposes. However there are distinct differences between the two towns. Bournemouth is older than its neighbour, having been established around 1810 as a seaside resort. The buildings in the centre and some of the larger, more established hotels  reflect this foundation in the Victorian era. 

The Victorians were also responsible for the towns magnificent twin piers which are the trademark of the town. The beach in front of the town is excellent and stretches for seven miles, west towards Poole and east towards Christchurch - there is always room somewhere. The seafront area is the epitome of the English seaside resort with plenty of entertainment and refreshments along its length.Bournemouth is well served with transport links. From the east and London take the M3 and then theA31. From the west the A35 via Dorchester leads to Poole and then Bournemouth. Bournemouth has an international airport to the north of the town.Gardens are a major attraction in the Bournemouth area. The Victorian Pleasure Gardens are located in the town. While there is a tropical garden at Alum Chine and an Italian garden at Boscombe. 

Westover Rd, Bournemouth,  BH1 2BU 
Tel: 0906 802 0234 Fax: 01202 451743 

Clevedon, Somerset
http://www.clevedon.org/

Clevedon is a seaside town full of Victorian and Geirgian heritage and is well worth a visit. Tennyson and Coleridge were inspired to write poetry while spending time here. Clevedon's treasures include the restored Grade 1 listed pier, perfect for a walk or catch the majestic Waverley and Balmoral pleasure steamers for a trip along the coast. Clevedon offers streets full of small boutique shops and restaurants. Visit the seafront Salthouse Fields where you can watch the bowls, ride the miniature railway, or just enjoy an ice cream and a pleasant walk.

Dartmouth is situated in South Devon on the western bank of the River Dart, opposite, on the eastern shore is Kingswear. Both towns are historic ports which used to trade cloth and wine with France; today they are a mixture of tourist resort, fishing port and yacht haven.
Dartmouth lies around five miles from Torbay and can be reached by car via a toll ferry or by the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway. Renown as a centre for sailors Dartmouth has been on the seafarer's map for around 900 years. It has a deep water harbour and is enclosed by steep wooded hills on either side. For many years Dartmouth was a thriving port that traded in cloth and wine from France. It is now a busy holiday resort and port of call for many yachtsmen including many from Atlantic journeys.The Dartmouth of the past was heavily defended from the French and Spanish with an artillery emplacement, which was built in the reign of Henry VIII, at Bearscove Castle. Further down the river is Dartmouth Castle which was the first line of defence for the port. Although the castle is quite small it had several gun emplacements and controlled a chain running across the river which could be raised if there was an attack by the dastardly French.
Overlooking the town is Britannia Royal Naval College where Officers are trained for today's Royal Navy. Officer training has been carried out at Dartmouth since 1863 when the training was conducted aboard HMS Britannia, an old wooden wall warship. The present buildings date from 1905, the architect was Sir George Aston Webb, one of the more distinguished of his day, whose previous commissions included Admiralty Arch and the East Front of Buckingham Palace. Prince Phillip trained here just before the outbreak of World War II and met Elizabeth Windsor, the future Queen, while receiving an award.

Dawlish in South Devon is a small seaside resort with a great reputation for family holidays. The main reasons for this popularity is the magnificent sandy beach at Dawlish Warren and general charm of the town.The town of Dawlish itself is well situated, with gentle rolling hills behind and magnificent sea views to the front. At the centre of the town is an attractive park with a small stream running through it. The town itself is made up of many Georgian and Victorian buildings which add to the general charm of the resort. This is an ideal place to relax and forget the rat race and the traffic on the M5! There are many shops, pubs and cafes and attractions in the area. Look out for the famous black swans of Dawlish.There is a pleasant sea front area of the town overlooking a good beach but the main beach area is Dawlish Warren. , which is nearby. This is a beach and nature reserve that stretches for two miles to the east of the town up to the estuary of the River Exe. This is a fine sandy beach that slopes gently to the sea and is ideal for swimming. The beach has Blue Flag and Clean Beach status. Part of the beach is designated a nature conservation area for the protection of birds insects and plants. It is an ideal area for walking as the South West Coast Path runs through it with waymarked paths and also for field studies and photography.

The Lawn, Dawlish , EX7 9PW 

Tel: 01626 215665 Fax: 01626 865985
Email: dawtic@Teignbridge.gov.uk Web: www.southdevon.org.uk

Exeter is situated in east Devon around five miles from the coast. This thriving city lies on the river Exe which runs through the city and joins the coast at Exmouth. Exeter is a modern city that now styles itself as the regional capital of the Westcountry - however its roots go back a long time to Roman times and beyond. Situated on a small hill on a bend in the River Exe, the site of the modern day city has been occupied for over two thousand years. The Romans built a permanent settlement here around 50 AD to form the administrative centre of the region. The shape of the modern city is derived from this settlement and there are still significant parts of the old roman wall on display around the city.

A thousand years later, in 1068, the walls protected the city from the invading Normans led by William the Conqueror. The city resisted the attackers for 18 days until the walls were breached and the city surrendered. The Normans then constructed Rougemont Castle from which to administer the region. The remaining part of this development now serve as the Court buildings for Exeter.The Normans were also responsible for building Exeter's magnificent cathedral- St Peters. Built on the site of an existing church, St Peters was constructed between 1112 and 1133. The design was unusual for that time and is based on twin transept towers which support the north and south walls. The entrance is via the Great West Front which is decorated with many sculptures which were originally painted in bright colours. Inside there are many examples of medieval craftsmanship with the highlight being the stained glass of the East Window.Exeter has a long maritime history stretching back to Roman times. When the rivers of Britain were the main highways Exeter became a port with ships travelling up the river from Exmouth to offload produce in the city. The results of this trade can be seen at the quay area of the city where there is the Customs House and several old warehouses to be seen, mostly now converted to houses, shops and cafes. Sir Walter Raleigh who was born near Exmouth often frequented the city and Sir Francis Drake was a patron of The Ship Inn and Mols Coffee House both in Cathedral Close.

Exeter also has a fine University, set in landscaped grounds over looking the city. The city has around 12,000 students at various institutions and as a result the bars and cafes and bookshops do a good trade and there is an energetic nightlife. 

Exeter Services, Sandygate, M5 Junction 30, Exeter
 & Civic Centre, Dix's Field, Exeter  ,EX1 1RQ 
Tel 01392 265700 
Fax 01392 265260 
Email: tic@exeter.gov.uk 

Exmouth lies at the mouth of the River Exe around five miles south of the regional capital, Exeter. It can be reached by the A376 which spurs off of the M5 at Exeter.Exmouth is a traditional family holiday resort with a long seafront, a wide sandy beach and lots of seafront cafes, restaurants and pubs. There is also plenty of seafront parking. All of these factors make it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike and as a consequence it can become crowded at weekends. 

Nevertheless visitors will not be disappointed. The beach is wide,  flat and sandy and is ideal for swimming, sunbathing or sandcastle building. There are good walks also along the South West coast path towards the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast and also inland. This is also a good location for water sports such as windsurfing, surf kiting and sailing. At the eastern end of the town is a small harbour, known as Exmouth Dock, overlooked by colourful modern apartments. There are several cafes and pubs in the area and boat trips leave from the harbour to Dawlish Warren and Starcross. The estuary of the River Exe is wide at this point and forms a natural anchorage for fishing boats and yachts.  The river is navigable up to Topsham where there is a quay - and a good pub - The Steam Packet.  Exeter can be reached via the canal but this involves two or three lock gates which are only open at certain times.  The start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site which stretches from Exmouth to Swanage in Dorset. This section of coast is rugged and undeveloped with huge red sandstone cliffs interspersed with small compact coves and harbours. The South West Coast Path runs along this site.

Hayling Island is an unusual and interesting feature of the south coast. It is an inland island in effect surrounded by the waters of Langstone Harbour to the west and Chichester harbour to the east and it is reached by a road bridge from the A27.  Hayling Island is only a small island, but it has much to offer to resident or visitor alike.Hayling's combination of rural and marine environments has left us a legacy of unique natural history and a bio-diversity with walking distances of anywhere on the Island.

Hayling Island also has over 3 miles of beaches right on the doorstep of the Solent as well as the Harbours of Langstone and Chichester. With its safe open spaces, fresh air and sheltered waters, Hayling Island has much to offer those that enjoy sports of all kinds, whether on land or at sea.  The Hayling Billy Trail is a footpath which runs from Havant town centre (New Lane level crossing) southwards through Langstone and onto Hayling Island where it becomes the Hayling Billy Coastal Path. The route of the Trail mostly follows the old 'Hayling Billy' Railway which closed in 1963.The current upgrade to the Hayling Billy Trail is being carried out to provide part of the National Cycle Network being developed by Sustrans, the civil engineering charity.   

Beachlands, Seafront , Hayling Island,   PO11 OAG
Tel:023 9246 7111
Fax: 023 9246 5626

Ilfracombe, North Devon
www.ilfracombe-tourism.co.uk

Ilfracombe is the largest harbour on the North Devon Coast - this natural harbour has a character and beauty unmatched in the Bristol Channel. The town has been in existence as a port for more than two hundred years and is today an ideal holiday centre from which to explore the many attractions in the surrounding area. 

The Promenade , Ilfracombe .EX34 9BX 

Tel: 01271 863001
Email: ilfracombetic@visit.org.uk  

The Isle of Wight is a complete tourist attraction in its own right and deserves more than a fleeting visit. The wonderfully varied and unspoilt coastline scenery is probably the Island’s finest natural asset, from glistening chalk cliffs overlooking clear waters to the tranquil estuaries which meander inland. Whatever attracts you to the seashore, whether it is beachcombing, bird watching, rock pooling, bathing or just watching the world go by, the Island’s coast will certainly provide inspiration as well as contentment.

Here you will find over 25 miles of beaches, many of them are excellent for families and swimming; the unspoilt rural landscapes of the inland area; world renown sailing venues and some first class resorts and tourist attractions. Two of the main resorts are Sandown and Shanklin on the south east coast of the island. The resorts are at opposite ends of the 6 mile long Sandown Bay and both are suitable for families with good, safe beaches. Perhaps the most famous town on the island is Cowes, which is famous the world over as a major sailing venue and home of the eponymous sailing week in mid-summer. Cowes which is separated by the river Medina, -  is split into two attractive towns, named East Cowes and West Cowes. The two are linked together by a unique chain-driven floating bridge which transports car and foot passengers between the two. Cowes is famous of course from being the home of the world renowned sailing regatta, Cowes Week which is an annual event held every August. Cowes is also the home of the Royal Yacht Squadron which oversees sailing in the UK. In 2005 the dates for the sailing week are 30 July - 6 August. Better hurry to get your entries in! The town of Cowes itself is very pleasant with plenty to see and do and lots of interesting places to stop for a meal. 

Another well known town on the island is Ryde which is one of the main entry points for visitors. This Victoria town has a pier and esplanade in the best traditions of English seaside resorts from this era. 

Langstone Harbour is the centre of three linked harbours on Hampshire's southeast coast, with Portsmouth Harbour to the west and Chichester Harbour to the east.  The harbour is important for its environmental designations, and commercial shipping, fishing and recreational boating have been supported in the harbour for many years.

Lynton and Lynmouth, North Devon
www.lynton-lynmouth-tourism.co.uk

Lymington is a small, bustling market town with an idyllic location between the New Forest to the north and the Hampshire coast to the south.  It is also important as a marina and mooring, located on the Solent which is always busy with yachts and other vessels. The town itself is a pleasant mixture of Georgian and Victorian architecture but its beginnings go back much farther, to the medieval period when it was a centre for salt production.  There are several castles in the area which formed part of Britain's coastal defences against the French and Spanish. Hurst Castle, built by Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortresses, is located at the end of a shingle spit which extends 1 ½ miles from Milford-on-Sea and overlooking the Solent. The castle was completed in 1544. In 1648, Charles I was imprisoned here before being taken to London for his trial and execution. During the Napoleonic wars and again in the 1860s, the castle was modernised and enormous armoured wings were added to house huge new guns.  Nearby and well worth a visit are Beaulieu Abbey and Beaulieu Motor Museum.

St Barbe Museum & Visitor Centre, New Street, Lymington,   SO41 9BH
Tel:01590 689000 Fax: 01590 673990

Paignton is renown for its great family holidays with its pier, wide lawns and miles of sandy beaches. This is the territory of the traditional family fun seaside holiday with all the essential ingredients - sandy beach, paddler- friendly water, ice cream and candy floss and of course Punch and Judy. In addition to the main beach at Paignton there is an excellent beach at Goodrington. There are great family attractions to see as well - Paignton Zoo, Quaywest Waterpark and the Steam Railway that goes to nearby Dartmouth.

The Esplanade, Paignton, Devon ,TQ4 6BN
Tel: 01803 558383 Fax: 01803 551959
Email: paignton.tic@torbay.gov.uk
Web:www.theenglishriviera.co.uk

Portishead, Somerset
www.portishead.gov.uk

Portishead has an impressive quayside development with 159 berth marina and some exciting unusual architecture and Public art. Portishead Lake Grounds stretch along the coast with activities and play areas for children, a cafe and a very popular open air pool.

Portsmouth is the home of the Royal Navy and has been since Henry VII established the first dockyard in the town. The city occupies the Portsea Island peninsula, which overlooks a naturally defensible harbour and these advantages were not lost on the Romans, or Saxons, who both used the harbour here.

It was Henry VIII who really established the town as the home of the Navy. During his reign he increased the size of the fleet by ten times so that at the end of his reign the fleet consisted of 60 ships.
Many great navy ships were built here among them the Mary Rose and HMS Victory which Nelson commanded during his great battle at Trafalgar. Having served her country well, she is now one of the country’s top heritage attractions as over 350,000 people visit her in No. 2 Dry Dock, Portsmouth Naval Base.As a major naval base Portsmouth became a target during World War II and much of the town was flattened. The modern town is unremarkable and tourists usually concentrate on the waterfront area which has much to offer. The town is currently in the process of building a landmark tower that will be 170 metres high and in the shape of a sail. The £25m project will be the highest viewing platform in the UK when opened in mid-2005. Numerous ferries operate from Portsmouth to France and the Channel Islands.

Continental Ferry Port TIC ,
Terminal Building, Portsmouth, PO2 8QN  
Tel: 023 9283 8635  
& The Hard, Portsmouth, PO1 3QJ
Tel: 023 9282 6722
Fax: 023 9282 2693
Website: www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

Plymouth is the largest of the Westcountry cities after Bristol which may be regarded as the gateway to the area. Lying on the banks of two rivers, the Plym and the Tamar and facing Plymouth Sound it is perhaps not surprising that Plymouth has a strong maritime tradition that includes both merchant and navy shipping. Plymouth has been a working port for a long time. The Sound has been used as and anchorage and harbour since very early times. The expansion that resulted in Plymouth becoming a major UK port started in 15th century, when larger ships were being built for the Royal Navy which needed a deeper anchorage. Plymouth has since become one of the Royal Navy's main bases with warship often to be seen at anchor in the Sound.

Many epic voyages of discovery and conquest have stared  form Plymouth. The most famous of these is the defeat of the Spanish Armada by Sir Francis Drake and the English fleet. History has it that Drake was engaged in a game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe when the Spanish fleet was first sighted in the English Channel. Drake was not alarmed by this and insisted on finishing his game before setting sail form the port. The English fleet chased the Armada up the Channel to Calais where Drake used fire ships to disrupt the Spanish fleet before launching a devastating attack. The Spanish ships took heavy casualties and scattered further losses occurred off the coast of Scotland when the surviving ships were caught in a fierce storm. The Spanish fleet was devastated and were never again a threat to Britain. Prior to this epic battle Sir Francis Drake had made a name for himself after he had sailed around the world in the Golden Hind. In 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America from Plymouth in the Mayflower. Another adventurous voyage was undertaken when Captain James Cook set sail in 1768 in search of new lands. Modern day Plymouth is a lively city with a wide mix of commercial activities and plenty for the visitor to see and do. Plymouth Hoe is the wide expanse of grass overlooking the Sound, this area is also where the military hold parades and the Queen has visited recently to present new colours to the Navy. There is also a lighthouse on the Hoe called Smeaton's Tower that is brightly painted in red and white strips. Also see the Royal Citadel a large defensive camp built at the east end of the Hoe by Charles II in 1670.
The powerboat Grand Prix takes place each year off of Plymouth Hoe in July.Also see the National Marine Aquarium which is billed as the UK's largest with huge tanks containing sharks.
Nearby is Whitsand Bay with its long sandy beach. Also a visit to Looe is worthwhile, a quaint but bustling fishing port with the opportunity to go fishing for sharks . The naval frigate HMS Scylla - below - was recently sunk in the bay to form a reef for scuba divers to visit .

Island House, 9 The Barbican, Plymouth , PL1 2LS 
Tel 01752 304849 Fax 01752 257955 
Email: plymouthbarbicantic@visit.org.uk
& Plymouth Discovery Centre, Crabtree, Plymouth , PL3 6RN
Tel 01752 266030 Fax 01752 266033 
Email: plymouthtic@visit.org.uk

Poole, Dorset
www.poole.gov.uk

Also in the area and worth a visit are Brownsea Island in Poole harbour. Poole Pottery on Poole quay. Wareham is a pleasant market town that lies on the quaintly named River Piddle located at the western end of Poole harbour.

Poole High Street, Poole,
   Tel: 01202 253253, Fax: 01202 262684.
 E-mail: tourism@poole.gov.uk
Website: www.pooletourism.com/

Salcombe is famous as a seaside resort and sailing centre. There are several excellent beaches and stunning scenery. It may be reached via the A381 from Totnes or the A379 from the Plymouth direction.

The town is tiny and hugs the steep hillside that surrounds it - a passenger ferry crosses to the beaches on the far side of the river at East Portlemouth. Salcombe lies on the west bank of Kingsbridge estuary which is a large area of sheltered water that attracts both wildlife and sailors. This area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is also a nature reserve. This is the most southerly of Devon towns and orange and lemons can be grown as well as palm trees. This gives the town a rather exotic feel as if you had be transported to hotter climes

Market Street, Salcombe , TQ8 8DE 
Tel 01548 843927 Fax 01548 842736
Email: info@salcombeinformation.co.uk   

Southampton is the largest city on the south coast with a population of 221,000. The city dates back to Norman times when it was an important port. The maritime aspect of the city came to th