Category: Walks

Somerset Walks – Hike to Wayford Woods

If you are looking for a quieter walk in South Somerset, this circular route from Winsham to Wayford Woods offers a varied and rewarding loop through gently rolling countryside, woodland and quiet lanes, with views stretching into Dorset and a number of interesting features along the way.

Winsham, Somerset

Starting in the pretty village of Winsham, with its traditional pub, The Bell Inn and community-run shop, the route heads out along the Chalkway, skirting the edge of the Cricket St Thomas Estate, best known as the filming location for the classic BBC comedy To the Manor Born. From here, it climbs steadily towards higher ground near Windwhistle, where the landscape opens up with wide views across the Somerset countryside and south into Dorset.

The return leg brings a clear change in character, descending towards the attractive village of Wayford, home to the church of St Michael and All Angels and the nearby Wayford Manor, a striking Tudor manor house dating from the 16th century, before joining a section of the Liberty Trail. A highlight of the walk is the stretch past Wayford Woods, which, in spring, is particularly appealing with bluebells and wildflowers and offers a peaceful spot for a picnic. From here, a quieter, largely level section leads back towards Winsham.

This is a quiet walk that never feels busy, yet offers plenty of interest throughout. There is a good mix of terrain, from open tracks and farmland to woodland and quiet country lanes, making it ideal for a relaxed half-day walk. It is also suitable for dogs, though care is needed around livestock, and while it may be a longer route for younger children, the variety of scenery helps keep it interesting.

Facilities are limited along the route, with the pub and shop in Winsham providing the main stopping point. However, there are opportunities to adapt the walk, including optional diversions to Cricket St Thomas Hotel or the Windwhistle Inn. As with many walks in this area, studying an Ordnance Survey map reveals several possible variations, allowing you to tailor the route to suit your time and energy.

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Practicalities

• Start: Winsham village centre (near the pub and village shop)
• Difficulty: Moderate – a varied walk with a steady climb towards Windwhistle and a similar descent towards Wayford
• Length: approx. 11–13 km (7–8 miles), 3 to 4 hours depending on pace and any diversions
• Parking: Limited on-street parking in Winsham. Please park considerately. Alternative informal parking near Wayford Woods is possible, but access is via an uneven track
• Public Transport: Winsham is served by South West Coaches bus 96 which links Winsham with Chard and Crewkerne. Nearest rail stations include Crewkerne and Axminster, both a short drive away
• Nearest Towns: Chard, Crewkerne (also close to Axminster in Devon)
• Facilities: Village shop and pub in Winsham. Additional options if you divert to Cricket St Thomas Hotel, Forde Abbey or Windwhistle Inn
• Dog Friendly Walk: Yes, suitable for dogs throughout, but they should be kept on a lead around livestock
• Maps: Ordnance Survey Explorer 129 (Yeovil & Sherborne) or Landranger 193 is recommended for this walk. The OS App is useful for following the network of paths and potential variations
• Best for: varied countryside, quiet lanes, woodland, spring flowers, views towards Dorset, dog walking

If you are planning a wider trip, you may also find our guides helpful:
• Things to Do in Axminster
• East Devon Travel Guide

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Disclosure: Some of the outbound links on this page are affiliate links to sites that we use and would genuinely recommend. Using them doesn’t cost you extra, but it does help support this free guide. We also provide links to other sites where we believe their inclusion may be helpful to you.

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Map: Winsham to Wayford Woods Circular Walk

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Winsham Circular Walk Route Description

The starting point is Winsham, a small, picturesque village of around 750 residents, surrounded by gently rolling farmland and the wider Axe Valley landscape.

At the centre of the village stands the parish church of St Stephen, parts of which date from the 13th and 14th centuries. Around it, a mix of stone cottages, farmhouses and quiet lanes gives Winsham a settled, traditional feel. The village is also on the Liberty Trail, which passes directly through Winsham, and this walk follows a short section of it.

Winsham is also within easy walking reach of Forde Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery with well-known gardens just a short distance away. Despite its rural setting, it remains a very much lived-in place, with a community-run shop and a welcoming pub, making it a practical and appealing starting point for walks exploring the quieter countryside around Cricket St Thomas and Wayford.

1. Start from the centre of Winsham near the Bell Inn or Winsham Village Shop

With the church on your left and the Bell Inn on your right, head north through the village, passing Fore Street before turning right into Back Lane, then almost immediately left into Colham Lane. The route climbs gently with great views across the countryside before descending into a wooded valley, where a right turn across a cattle grid brings you onto the Chalkway.

2. Walk along the Chalkway (0.75 miles)

The Chalkway leads across open farmland for around half a mile, where you will often find livestock grazing, so dogs should be kept on a lead. This stretch forms part of the Cricket St Thomas Estate, well known as the setting for the BBC comedy To the Manor Born.

If you are interested, you can continue up Colham Lane instead of turning right onto the Chalkway, you will reach the estate lodge, recognisable to fans of the series as the home of Mrs Forbes Hamilton and her long suffering butler, Ned. This also offers a variation to the walk, taking you through the estate towards Cricket St Thomas Hotel.

Otherwise, continue along the Chalkway until you reach a left turn into Limekiln Lane.

3. Limekiln Lane to Purtington (3 miles)

You now face a short but fairly steep climb, the most noticeable ascent of the walk, as you gain the higher ground near Windwhistle. This is a quiet lane, used mainly by local farm traffic.

Partway up, you will pass a lane on your left which leads into the estate and towards the hotel. For now, continue straight on along Limekiln Lane. As you climb, the views begin to open out, with glimpses into the Cricket St Thomas Estate and across to Windwhistle on your left and across open farmland to the right.

The route then approaches Purtington, more a small hamlet than a village, comprising a handful of farms, homes and cottages set in a shallow valley. Like much of this area, it has long agricultural roots and a quiet, settled feel.

At Purtington, turn right onto Purtington Road, continuing towards a crossroads at Crewkerne Hill.

4. Crewkerne Hill to Wayford (5 miles)

From the crossroads at Crewkerne Hill, turn right. This section of road runs from the A30 towards Winsham and, while still quiet, is likely to be the busiest stretch of the walk, so take care.

To your left, the views open out across Somerset towards Crewkerne. In this wider landscape, you may also catch glimpses towards Coombe Farm, part of a long-established organic farming enterprise in the area. The farm supplies products, including yoghurt, to supermarkets.

Continue broadly south along Crewkerne Hill for around half a mile before taking a left turn onto Chard Road.

Take care to follow the route here as described, as continuing straight on will bring you back towards Winsham sooner than intended.

Chard Road then descends moderately towards a crossroads, with the village of Wayford off to your right. There is a bench here, well placed for a pause, with views down towards the railway line below and across the countryside towards Dorset in the distance.

A short detour to the left will take you to Wayford Cemetery, with its small chapel.

Wayford Village and Wayford Woods

For now, turn right into the village of Wayford, passing first the parish church of St Michael and All Angels and then Wayford Manor. The church, which dates largely from the 13th century, reflects the long history of this quiet hillside village overlooking the Axe Valley, with features such as lancet windows and a 14th century font. Look out for small details, including marks by the doorway traditionally said to have been made by returning Crusaders, and a historic scratch dial in the porch, once used to indicate service times before clocks were common.

Just beyond, Wayford Manor is a striking Tudor house dating from the 16th century, built in local hamstone and later extended. The manor has long associations with prominent West Country families and forms an important part of the village’s historic setting. The house is private, but its gardens open to visitors through the National Garden Scheme, with opening dates in 2026 on Sunday, 31st May. These openings provide a rare opportunity to explore the formal terraced gardens, redesigned by Harold Peto in the early 20th century, with features including yew hedges, topiary, spring-fed ponds and a wide range of seasonal planting.

There is a pleasant bench within the village where you can pause for a moment before continuing. The route then follows what becomes an unmetalled track, heading broadly west towards Wayford Woods.

You will first pass a small volunteer’s hut on your right before reaching a short flight of steps leading up towards a small ornamental lake. Beyond this, an informal car park marks the main entrance to the woods.

6. From Wayford Woods to Winsham (7 miles)

From Wayford Woods, continue along the track heading west towards Winsham and your starting point. This is a private farm track serving nearby properties, with barriers in place to prevent unauthorised vehicles.

Following part of the Liberty Trail, the route passes through attractive countryside and farmland, where you are likely to see horses, ponies, livestock and a variety of wildlife and birdlife. Just to the south runs the Waterloo to Exeter railway line, and the occasional passing train adds a small point of interest to an otherwise quiet stretch.

The return to Winsham is generally straightforward to follow. The only point to note is near Broadenham Farm, where the track turns right into Ebben Lane. While this will take you back to Winsham, the Liberty Trail and the route described here continue straight ahead through a series of field gates before re-entering the village.

This final section may be less suitable for pushchairs, particularly after wet weather. In that case, the return via Ebben Lane provides a more straightforward alternative.

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Practical Information

• Parking in Winsham is limited but usually manageable with on-street options – please park considerately
• Some lanes are narrow with occasional traffic, particularly around Crewkerne Hill
• Facilities available in Winsham (pub and community shop), otherwise none along the route
• Dogs welcome but must be kept on a lead around livestock
• Footpaths and tracks can be muddy or slippery after rain
• Parts of the route use working farm tracks and quiet lanes
• Mobile signal can be variable in places

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Why Walk Here?

This is a varied and rewarding Somerset countryside walk, combining quiet lanes, open farmland and woodland with far-reaching views towards Dorset. The route links together a number of highlights, including the edge of the Cricket St Thomas Estate, the historic village of Wayford and a section of the Liberty Trail.

It never feels busy, yet offers plenty of interest, from open stretches along the Chalkway to the more sheltered and peaceful setting of Wayford Woods. Along the way, there are opportunities to pause, take in the views, or extend the walk with optional diversions.

Whether you are looking for a relaxed half-day walk, a dog-friendly route, or a way to explore a quieter corner of South Somerset, this walk provides a well-balanced mix of scenery, history and accessibility.

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Other Helpful Links

• Booking.com – for most accommodation needs. Look out for options that include free cancellation.
• Easy Tide – Free UK tidal prediction service, providing tidal data and tide times for the current day and 6 days into the future.
• Expedia – good for flights and packages.
• Get Your Guide – find and book things to see. Includes unusual things to do.
• Hostelworld – Hostel-focused booking platform that fosters backpack connections.
• MetOffice – Weather forecasts from the UK official meteorological office.
• National Express– UK-based coach operator providing long-distance bus services
• Omio – Book travel tickets by comparing trains, buses and planes in one search.
• Rental Cars– to search out and book hire cars.
• Rome2Rio – Great for comparing local transport options (and for locating bus stops).
• Ticketmaster – What’s On – Major Events – Venues – Bookings
• Trainline.com – our go-to online platform for booking train and bus tickets, offering route planning, price comparisons, seat reservations, and ticket sales.
• Traffic England – for live traffic updates on major roads.
• Traveline SW – Comprehensive public transport information from A to B by bus, coach, train, ferry in South West England and Great Britain.
• TripAdvisor – for reviews of… pretty much everything. Our go-to before booking anything.
• Vrbo – Great for self-catering and vacation holiday home rentals.

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Over to you … have you recently travelled to South West England? What worked for you? What advice would you give to others? Please leave your comments below or join in the discussion in our Facebook Group.

Brean Sands is one of Somerset’s most distinctive stretches of coast. Wide, open and exposed, it runs three miles south towards Burnham on Sea, with Brean Down jutting into the Bristol Channel at the northern end. For walkers, that limestone headland is the real highlight.

Brean is firmly associated with caravan parks and traditional seaside holidays, and rightly so. Static caravans, arcades, bingo halls and fish and chip shops line the narrow strip behind the beach. In summer, it is busy with returning families and has an unpretentious, no frills feel.

If you are looking for boutiques or a varied high street, you will not find them here. Outside peak season the village can feel limited and slightly cut off, reached by a single road across the Levels. With marshland to one side and the Bristol Channel to the other, poor weather can make it feel bleak at any time of year.

At low tide, the beach is vast, with firm sand ideal for long walks and wide views towards Wales. It is less suited to paddling. The tidal range is huge, and the water, when in, is often brown from strong currents and estuary mud.

During the peak summer season, parts of Brean Beach are lifeguarded by the RNLI. If you plan to swim, do so between the red and yellow flags. No flags means no lifeguards on duty.

Those same open conditions also make it popular among kitesurfers and other wind-powered sports enthusiasts. On breezy days, it is common to see kites above the shoreline and boards moving quickly across the shallows. The combination of wide-open sand, strong tidal flow, and reliable wind suits experienced riders, though it is not a calm, sheltered swimming beach in the traditional sense.

Brean Down changes the mood entirely. Within minutes of climbing from the National Trust car park, the holiday parks fall away. You are on open grassland with sea on both sides and views from the Somerset Levels to Steep Holm, Flat Holm and the Welsh coast.

The contrast is sharp: a family resort below, a narrow limestone ridge shaped by geology and history above. With its fort, trig point and sweeping views, Brean Down is the real reason to visit.

This guide focuses on walking from the National Trust car park at Brean Down, following a gentle anticlockwise route that takes in the old military road, the summit, and the long stair descent. We have also written a wider article describing the Brean Down Way, the 8-mile walk and cycle path that runs from Weston-super-Mare to Brean Down.

Disclosure: Some of the outbound links on this page are affiliate links to sites that we use and would genuinely recommend. Using them doesn’t cost you extra, but it does help support this free guide. We also provide links to other sites that we believe may be helpful to you.

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Where is Brean Sands?

Getting to Brean Down from the M5

Brean is straightforward to reach by car.

Leave the M5 at Junction 22, signposted for Burnham-on-Sea. Follow the A38 briefly, then pick up signs for Burnham and Brean. After passing through Burnham-on-Sea, follow the coast road north towards Brean. It is also possible to cut across from the A370 near Eastertown (if approaching from Weston-Super-Mare or the B3140 from Brent Knoll), but both roads are windy and in places single-track.

Brown tourist signs direct you to Brean Down and the National Trust car park at the base of the headland. In summer, the roads through Brean village can be busy, so allow extra time and arrive early if possible.

The National Trust car park is directly at the foot of the Down, making it the most convenient place to start the walk. As of February 2026, parking costs £6 per day for non-members. In summer and on sunny weekends, it often fills by late morning. Arriving early is sensible in peak season.

Facilities are basic, National Trust Cafe, kiosk and toilets (seasonal), with information boards explaining the history and layout of the Down. Further on, you will also find the independently owned Brean Down Cafe (seasonal).

Just beyond the National Trust car park, on the right-hand side, there is a slightly cheaper alternative car park which operates year-round. This can be useful if the main car park is full or if you prefer not to pay the National Trust all-day rate.

Public transport options are limited compared to those in larger resorts, so most visitors arrive by car. There are seasonal bus services linking Brean with Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea, with Weston offering the nearest railway station on the main line between Bristol and the South West. Services are generally more frequent in summer and much reduced in winter, so it is worth checking current timetables in advance.

It is possible to walk from Weston-super-Mare along the coast path and Brean Cross sluice to Brean Down. This forms part of the Brean Down Way, which you can read about in more detail here: https://thisissouthwest.com/brean-down-way-walk/

Although this makes for a fairly long outing. As our article explains, it can be made more manageable by combining the walk with a bus journey back, or by cycling the route, both of which make for a great day out.

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A brief history of Brean Down

Brean Down has been important for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence shows that it was occupied in the Iron Age, when communities built defensive earthworks across the narrowest part of the ridge. The shape of the headland made it an obvious stronghold. It is long, narrow and elevated, with steep slopes dropping to the sea and wide views in every direction. Anyone based here could see movement along the coast and across the Bristol Channel.

Traces of banks and ditches from the Iron Age are still visible in places, particularly along the spine of the Down. Finds over the years have included pottery and evidence of settlement. Its position would have offered both security and status, set apart from the flat lands of the Somerset Levels behind.

There is also evidence of Roman activity. Brean Down appears to have been used as a religious site during the Romano British period. Excavations in the twentieth century uncovered the remains of what is thought to have been a small temple or shrine. The location, prominent and surrounded by sea, would have carried symbolic as well as strategic value. Although little survives above ground today, the idea that this headland once held a place of worship adds another layer to its story.

The most visible remains, however, date from the nineteenth century. In the 1860s, Britain feared invasion from Napoleon III’s France. As part of a national defence programme, a series of coastal forts were constructed to guard vulnerable ports and estuaries. Brean Down Fort was built to help defend the approaches to the River Severn and the major ports of Bristol and Cardiff. Together with forts on Steep Holm and Flat Holm, it formed a defensive triangle across the channel.

The fort was substantial for its time. Thick stone walls enclosed gun emplacements designed to house heavy artillery capable of firing across the water. Underground magazines and stores were built into the rock. From here, the guns could command shipping moving up and down the estuary.

In reality, the feared invasion never came, and the fort did not see action in the nineteenth century. It was eventually disarmed, but it was used again during both world wars. In the First World War, it served as a coastal defence site once more. In the Second World War, it was adapted again, this time for more modern military needs. The site was used for experimental weapons testing, including rocket trials, due to its exposed position and clear firing range across the channel.

After 1945, the fort was finally decommissioned. Like many coastal defences, it became redundant as military technology changed. For a period, it fell into disrepair before being taken into care.

Today, the fort buildings remain at the seaward end of the Down. The concrete gun emplacements, vaulted rooms and thick defensive walls are open to explore. Standing in the empty chambers, it is easy to imagine the wind outside and the tension that once accompanied their use. The views that made the site strategically important are the same views visitors enjoy now.

The headland itself was acquired by the National Trust in the twentieth century and has since been protected from development. That protection has ensured that Brean Down retains its open character. Grazing animals help maintain the grassland habitat, keeping scrub at bay and preserving the clear lines of the ridge.

What makes Brean Down distinctive is its natural landscape, expansive views, and history. An Iron Age stronghold, a possible Roman religious site, a Victorian fort and a twentieth-century military outpost all occupy the same narrow strip of limestone. Walk along the ridge today, and you are moving through thousands of years of coastal defence, belief and strategy, set against the constant presence of the Bristol Channel below.

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Walking Brean Down from the National Trust car park

The walk described here is a gentle anticlockwise circuit starting from the National Trust car park. It combines the old military road, the highest point of the Down and a return via the long staircase.

Stage 1: The gentle climb along the old military road

From the car park, instead of heading straight up the steps, bear right, then left off the farm track, and follow the broad track that curves around the south-eastern side of the headland. This is the old military road, built to allow access to the fort at the end.

The gradient here is steady and relatively gentle, and the old military road to the fort may be suitable for some pushchairs. It is a good option if you prefer a gradual climb rather than a short, steep ascent.

As you gain height, look back over Brean Sands. The scale of the beach becomes clearer. On a clear day, you can see Burnham-on-Sea to the south.

Ahead, the path continues to rise gradually along the flank of the Down. The grassland is open, often grazed by sheep or cattle. The sea begins to appear on your right as the path curves around towards the western side.

The views open up quickly. To the west, across the Bristol Channel, the outline of the Welsh coast becomes visible on a clear day. To the north, you can see Weston-super-Mare stretching along the bay, with its seafront and the distinctive outline of its pier reaching out into the water.

Stage 2: Towards the fort and the end of the Down

Continuing along the military road, you approach the narrower spine of the headland. The path is clear and well used. Wind can be strong here, even on days that are calm inland.

Eventually, you reach the fort complex at the far end of the headland. Take time to explore. Information boards explain the site’s history and its role in coastal defence. The gun emplacements face out across the Channel, and it is easy to see why this was considered a strategic location. The estuary narrows further north, and vessels heading towards Bristol would once have passed within range.

From this point, you also have good views of the islands in the channel. To the north west lies Steep Holm. Further east, closer to the Somerset coast, is Flat Holm.

Steep Holm is rugged and rises sharply from the water, as its name suggests. It has its own Victorian fortifications and a small resident warden presence in season.

Flat Holm is lower and flatter, and also has historic military structures. Both islands add interest to the horizon and help you judge visibility on the day.

Beyond and between these islands, the outline of the Welsh coast becomes visible in good conditions. You are looking towards South Wales, with the hills forming a dark band on the horizon across the Bristol Channel. On very clear days, the coastline is distinct rather than a faint shape, giving a strong sense of how relatively narrow this stretch of water is despite its powerful tides.

Stage 3: The highest point and trig point

After exploring the fort, begin your return along the top of the ridge rather than retracing the military road exactly. The path along the crest leads you towards the highest point of Brean Down.

This section crosses open ground rather than a formed track. The surface is uneven in places, with short grass, exposed stone and occasional dips. It is straightforward to walk in dry conditions, but not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, or anyone needing a smooth, level path. In wet weather, it can be slippery underfoot, and there is little shelter from the wind along the ridge.

The highest point is around 97 metres (318 feet) above sea level. Nearby stands a trig pillar, marking the summit. From here, the views are at their widest.

To the north, you look towards Weston-super-Mare and the start of the Mendip Hills. To the east, the flat farmland with the Somerset levels beyond, to the south, you see the full sweep of Brean Sands. To the west, the Bristol Channel dominates, with Steep Holm and Flat Holm clearly visible in good weather.

This is a good place to pause. On clear days, you can also make out more distant features along the Welsh coast.

Stage 4: The stair descent

To complete the anticlockwise circuit, continue along the ridge path until you reach the staircase that drops steeply back towards the car park. Alternatively, you can continue on, eventually returning via the old military road, the same way in which you came up.

The steps make for the most direct descent. It is noticeably steeper than the military road ascent. We counted over 200 steps on this section.

Take care here, especially in wet conditions. The steps can be uneven and slippery. The handrail helps, but sensible footwear makes a difference.

As you descend, the beach comes back into view and the holiday parks reappear beyond the dunes. The contrast between the exposed ridge and the busy strip below is clear.

At the bottom of the stairs, you rejoin the lower path and return easily to the National Trust car park.

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How long does the walk take?

At a relaxed pace, allowing time to explore the fort and stop at the trig point, allow around 1.5 to 3 hours for the full anticlockwise circuit.

The total distance is roughly 3 miles, depending on the exact line you take along the ridge. The highest point is around 97 metres (314 feet) above sea level, so there is a steady climb on the way out and a matching descent on the return. The ascent via the old military road is gradual and manageable for most walkers, while the return via the staircase is steeper, with more than 200 steps down to the base.

The distance is not great, but wind and exposure can slow progress. In strong winds, it can feel more demanding than the map suggests, particularly along the open crest where there is little shelter.

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When is the best time to walk Brean Down?

Brean Down is open all year. In summer, it can be busy, particularly at weekends and during school holidays. Early morning or late afternoon are usually quieter.

Autumn and winter can offer excellent views. The air is often sharper, and the beach below is much less crowded. Just be prepared for the wind and bring an extra layer. These quieter months are also the most rewarding for bird watching. The upper Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary support internationally important numbers of Redshank, Whimbrel, Shelduck, Dunlin and Teal, either on passage or over winter. They join many other waterbirds that live here year-round or visit seasonally, feeding along the mudflats and tide line.

Spring brings wildflowers to the grassland and grazing to the fields inland. The ridge itself can also reward patient watchers, with gulls riding the wind and the occasional bird of prey using the updraft along the cliffs.

Final thoughts

Brean Sands has a mixed reputation because of its holiday park setting. But the setting itself is striking. The combination of a vast tidal beach and a narrow limestone ridge makes it different from many other parts of the Somerset coast. Add in the scale of the Bristol Channel and the backdrop of the Levels, and it has a sense of space that is hard to ignore.

Brean Down is also one of those landmarks many people recognise without ever properly exploring. The headland is clearly visible from the M5 near Bristol as you descend towards the Somerset Levels, a long ridge rising from otherwise flat land. It is just as distinctive from Weston-super-Mare, where it forms the southern edge of the bay. Thousands of people see it in passing each year, but far fewer take the time to walk it.

For keen walkers, it can make a full day out from Weston-super-Mare along the Brean Down Way or Burnham-on-Sea along the King Charles III England Coast Path. It links well with other local landmarks, too. We combined it with a walk on Brent Knoll, the distinctive hill near the M5 between Weston and Burnham-on-Sea, which offers a different perspective over the Levels.

It is a relatively short walk, but it feels more substantial because of the sea, the history and the scale of the tides. Bring binoculars, and you may also spot waders along the mudflats or birds of prey riding the wind along the ridge. For anyone interested in coastal walking in Somerset, Brean Down should be on the list.

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Other Helpful Links

• Booking.com – for most accommodation needs. Look out for options that include free cancellation.
• Easy Tide – Free UK tidal prediction service, providing tidal data and tide times for the current day and 6 days into the future.
• Expedia – good for flights and packages.
• Get Your Guide – find and book things to see. Includes unusual things to do.
• Hostelworld – Hostel-focused booking platform that fosters backpack connections.
• MetOffice – Weather forecasts from the UK official meteorological office.
• National Express– UK-based coach operator providing long-distance bus services
• Omio – Book travel tickets by comparing trains, buses and planes in one search.
• Rental Cars– to search out and book hire cars.
• Rome2Rio – Great for comparing local transport options (and for locating bus stops).
• Ticketmaster – What’s On – Major Events – Venues – Bookings
• Trainline.com – our go-to online platform for booking train and bus tickets, offering route planning, price comparisons, seat reservations, and ticket sales.
• Traffic England – for live traffic updates on major roads.
• Traveline SW – Comprehensive public transport information from A to B by bus, coach, train, ferry in South West England and Great Britain.
• TripAdvisor – for reviews of… pretty much everything. Our go-to before booking anything.
• Vrbo – Great for self-catering and vacation holiday home rentals.

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Over to you … have you recently travelled to South West England? What worked for you? What advice would you give to others? Please leave your comments below or join in the discussion in our Facebook Group.