With wild moors, spectacular coastline and some of the best beaches in Britain (Torquay has 3 European Blue Flag beaches alone), the South West is a strong contender for England's best looking region. Home to the counties of Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and Wiltshire, on coach holidays to South West England you'll find monumental greats from Stonehenge and the Avebury Circles to the World Heritage City of Bath.
Whether you're after culture or coast, coach tours to South West England take in the best of the area's gems. Slightly balmier temperatures make it all the more alluring; unwind on clean, inviting beaches from Bournemouth and Weymouth to the palm tree clad Torquay at the heart of the English Riviera. Garden enthusiasts can revel in a superb selection of gardens – think the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Eden Project and a handful of National Trust gardens – and for families there are top attractions from Monkey World and Newquay Zoo to the West Somerset Steam Railway.
Nature lovers can enjoy the region's Jurassic Coast and Cotswolds. For the more active, there are dedicated walking tours of both, all fully guided. Newquay offers a more contemporary feel, whilst Bristol and Plymouth are great for shopping. Come the winter, Bath is also home to a Christmas market that gives those on a continent a run for their fairy lights.
All tours are on a coach travel or self-drive basis and include accommodation at a good quality hotel. Tours to coastal towns like Torquay and Newquay tend to be resort-based holidays with plenty of time to spend at leisure, while others feature good local bases from which to explore.
The South West England is vast in terms of what is available to see and do whilst staying here. Some gems of the region include:
The Cotswolds
Make sure you visit the quaint and picturesque villages in the rural setting of the Cotswolds. You'll be spoilt for choice with the number of villages to see but some of the most well-known are Bourton on the Water and Burford. If you are looking for a market town to visit then Cirencester is the place, known as the 'Capital of the Cotswolds'. The town has a market place as well as an impressive St John Baptist Parish Church.
Western Super Mare
Visit the traditional seaside resort of Western Super Mare and spend some time on Weston Bay with its miles of sandy beach and a fantastic promenade. No trip here would be complete without a visit to the Grand Pier which is home to a ultimate 21st Century indoor theme park as well as various cafes, restaurants and shops.
Bournemouth
A great town which has something for everyone including beautiful beaches, various parks and gardens as well as great shopping. The Pier is one of the town's most distinctive landmarks and you can take a fantastic stroll from there to Boscombe Pier and if you don't fancy the walk back, hop onto the land train.