South West England

The South West is a region of contrasts - spectacular scenery, wonderful countryside and a beautiful coastline, cities with centuries of history and culture, picturesque fishing villages and much more.

Download the Bath podcast (5.6Mb) to find out more about this cultured and elegant Georgian city, the Roman Baths and Pump Room and Bath's oldest house, Sally Lunn's.

Download the Bristol podcast (5.5Mb) to find out about this city's great history and attractions from Brunel's famous landmark, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the ss Great Britain to the Corn Exchange, the old commercial heart of Bristol. 

Download the Cheltenham podcast (5.1Mb) and find out more about this city, home to composer Gustav Holst. Visit the Festival of Literature and International Festival of Music, enjoy Sudeley Castle and follow the suggested itinerary around the romantic Cotswold villages and countryside.   

Download the Dorset podcast (5.4Mb) for information on The Fleet and Abbotsbury Swannery, Chesil Beach made famous by Ian McEwan's novel, Thomas Hardy's cottage where 'Far from the Madding Crowd' was written and the Cerne Abbas Giant, a Roman sculpture cut into a chalk hillside. 

Download the Exeter podcast (5.4Mb) to find out more about this beautiful county town of Devon and what you can do here. Explore the historical buildings, enjoy the lively quayside, visit the vintage clothes shops and don't miss the famous guitar shop, Mansons, used by Led Zeppelin and Oasis.  

Download the Exmoor podcast (5.2Mb) to discover more about this unspoilt and idyllic part of Britain. Walk the Coleridge Way and Macmillan Way, spot the Exmoor ponies on Winsford Hill and enjoy the quaint villages and towns of Exmoor including Dunster and Dulverton.

Download the Gloucester podcast (5.6Mb) for further information on the historic Gloucester Docks opened in 1827 where the huge warehouses are now home to an antiques centre, shops and restaurants. Hear about the famous cloisters and tomb of Edward II in the Cathedral and the tale of the Tailor of Gloucester in the Beatrix Potter Shop and Museum.

Download the Paignton podcast (5.3Mb). This popular traditional seaside resort on the south Devon coast has long sandy beaches, a lively seafront and hosts festivals such as Carnival Week. Find out about the Paignton to Dartmouth Steam Railway trips, visit the colourful and bustling fishing port of Brixham and the replica of Drake's flagship, The Golden Hind. 

Download the Salisbury & Stonehenge podcast (4.9Mb). Wiltshire boasts many prehistoric sites and Stonehenge is one of the most famous, with its stones reaching 28ft above ground. Find out about the ancient pubs, Salisbury Cathedral and the oldest working mechanical clock in Europe dating back to 1380.