ThisIsSouthWest.com is an independent online guidebook to Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, including Bristol and North Somerset. We help readers discover places to visit, things to do, events and practical ways to explore South West England.
Our guides combine first-hand experience, original photography and careful research. The site is continually updated so that readers can plan days out, journeys and longer visits with greater confidence.
About Les
Hi, I’m Les, founder of ThisIsSouthWest.com.
Born in Devon and now based in Somerset near the Devon border, I have spent more than thirty years discovering the South West, from the Isles of Scilly and Lundy to towns, coastlines and countryside across all four counties.
I visit the places I cover, take my own photographs and personally test many of the routes and transport connections featured, supported by careful research using reliable sources.
Drawing on a professional background in aviation and travel, I aim to help readers plan and enjoy their time in South West England with confidence through practical, first-hand information, while highlighting the many different ways to get around.
Why ThisIsSouthWest Was Created
ThisIsSouthWest grew from a lifelong connection with South West England and more than thirty years spent travelling around the region. I wanted to create the kind of guidebook I find most useful: independent, practical and based on genuine visits, with enough detail and context to help readers properly understand a place and plan their time there.
The site covers celebrated destinations as well as smaller towns and lesser-known places, along with useful journeys and experiences that visitors might otherwise miss. The aim is to create substantial guides that remain useful before and during a visit, rather than simply presenting short lists of recommendations.
How We Research Our Guides
Our coverage combines first-hand destination knowledge with careful research. We explore the places we feature, walk routes, use transport connections and take our own photographs.
Practical details are checked against official and reliable sources, including official attraction websites, transport operators, local authorities and event organisers. Pages are reviewed and updated as information changes, although readers should always confirm important details directly before travelling.
We welcome corrections and additional information. If something has changed since our visit, please get in touch with us.
Exploring the South West Throughout the Year
South West England is much more than a summer destination. Spring and summer bring long days, outdoor events, and busy resorts, while autumn and winter reveal a quieter, often more dramatic side of the region.
Encouraging visits throughout the year can also support local businesses and communities beyond the main holiday season. We therefore cover year-round attractions, seasonal events, coastal and countryside walks, short breaks and practical travel information for every part of the calendar.
We increasingly explore the region by train, bus, ferry and on foot. The site does not assume that everyone will travel without a car, but it highlights realistic alternatives where they exist. With a professional interest in transport, aviation and regional connectivity, we also follow developments that affect how residents and visitors move around the South West.
An Independent Guide
Our approach is straightforward: to provide an authentic, practical and continually updated guide to South West England.
Editorial independence matters to us. Recommendations are based on genuine experience, careful research and what we believe will be most useful to readers. Any hosted visits, commercial relationships or other support will be clearly disclosed.
The website is free to use and is funded partly through carefully selected affiliate links. If a reader follows one of these links and makes a booking or purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to them. Commercial considerations do not determine our opinions or recommendations.
More Than a Collection of Articles
ThisIsSouthWest brings together three connected parts:
- The Guide, featuring first-hand destination guides, walks, attractions, transport information and practical recommendations.
- Our South West England Facebook community, where visitors, residents and local organisations can share ideas and information.
- Our regularly updated What’s On in South West England guide, helping readers discover events across the region.
We are also pleased to hear from tourism businesses, transport operators, attractions, accommodation providers, event organisers and other organisations with a worthwhile South West story.
Details can be found on our Work With Us page.
Join Us
There will always be somewhere new to explore across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Whether you are planning a holiday, looking for a day out or simply curious about what lies beyond your usual route, we hope ThisIsSouthWest helps you discover more of the region.
Join our Facebook community, or follow us on Instagram, Pinterest and X.