I’ve dreamed of having a travel ‘site’ blog for a long time… but what to write about? The world is such a big place. Born in Devon, I am lucky enough to have travelled quite a lot of it.
In the end, the answer was obvious: to write about what I really know and love, which is the Southwest of England, specifically the West Country; Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset.
Now living in Somerset, albeit within spitting distance of the Devon border, I’ve spent much of my life in this part of the country, while also travelling widely abroad. Along the way, I’ve stayed everywhere from five-star hotels to backpacking hostels (most good, some less so). That mix of experiences gives me both local insight and a traveller’s perspective, and a firm belief that the South West of England, the Westcountry, has an endless amount to offer.
This guide was born from a simple truth: I have always felt most at home in the South West of England, especially when close to the sea or out in the countryside. Finding myself in an interesting but increasingly office-bound career, there came a crunch moment when the pull of managing my own time and the desire for a more outdoor, creative life could no longer be ignored.
Writing had long been a dream, but the question was whether I could make it work. After carrying out a lot of research and reading (who knew there were so many guides on guides?), and quite a few weeks of uncertainty, indecision and no small measure of downright panic, the time finally felt as right as it was ever going to be to begin.
Seasonal Destination? As much as I love the longer days of spring, summer, and early autumn, the South West is far more than a seasonal destination. In winter, it can be wild and challenging, but once the peak season has passed, it also becomes quieter, with a completely different character, still full of life for those who know where to look and are willing to visit.
While the Southwest of England is quieter in winter, with a shift towards increasingly better accommodation, it has become an increasingly popular year-round destination, which is good because tourism is vital to the local economy here. This guide aims to encourage travellers from both the UK and abroad to spend time here, discover its hidden places, and all that it has to offer.
So our approach is simple: to provide an authentic and independent, practical, and continually updated guide.
The Three Pillars: That commitment to independence runs through what we see as three pillars of the website: the guide itself, with articles and recommendations based on genuine experience and local knowledge; an accompanying Facebook Group that we hope will be used by locals, tourism businesses, and visitors; and a “live” and dynamic What’s On page where event organisers can easily share what’s happening for visitors and residents alike. Together, these create not just a guidebook, but what we hope will be something of a community and a living resource.
However, the site must generate revenue somehow. While the site will be free to use, it will, in time, feature some carefully chosen affiliate links and partnerships, but always with the reader’s interests in mind. The goal is straightforward: to increase visitor numbers to a level where the site can sustain itself financially, while crucially maintaining its independence and integrity.
Unlike many commercial travel platforms, the guide has no intention of competing with others. There’s a lot to write about, and the South West is a vast space on and offline. Instead, it welcomes collaboration with local businesses, other travel sites, tourism organisations, and destination management companies to ensure the South West is promoted as widely and as positively as possible.
Above all, the aim is to give an insight into the Westcountry that we know so well. To create curiosity and maybe even excitement, while offering a free-to-use resource people can rely on. With so much on our doorstep, coast, countryside, villages, and towns, there will always be something new to share, season after season. This guide is the beginning of that journey. We hope you will join us!
Find Us on Social Media
Yes, we’re everywhere (well… almost). Whether you scroll, swipe, or still think Twitter is called Twitter (like us), you can find us in all the usual places:
- Facebook – Where the serious stuff happens. Our ‘What’s On’ posts, community conversations, and the occasional seaside sunset (because, well, this is the Southwest).
- Instagram – We’re not influencers, but if you like dramatic skies, stately homes, pubs and food, you’ll maybe forgive the fact that we still can’t figure out reels.
- Pinterest – For the planners among you. It’s where ideas for trips, days out, and new places to visit get neatly pinned… before being forgotten until the night before your holiday.
- Twitter – We’re still undecided about Twitter (or X, or whatever it’s called this week), but yes, we grabbed a handle just in case.