South West England: The Eco Holiday Destination

Filed in archive Environment on March 1, 2010

If you are looking for an eco holiday destination this year then head to south-west England which offers you a mix of activity and adventure. This place is home to fifteen national parks, around half of Blue Flag beaches and four Unesco world heritage sites comprising of the Roman city of Bath, tin mines of Devon and Cornwall, dinosaur fossils of Jurassic coast and prehistoric monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury.

You will not just be impressed by its rural landscapes but even its cities. Poole is known for world's second largest natural harbor, Bristol is the only city in UK to be short listed for the European Green Capital title and Bournemouth is the abode for Blue Flag beaches.

You could enjoy some of the best walking, horse rising and mountain biking activities on the Blackdown, Mendip and Quantock hills. If you love bird watching then head to wetland areas of Somerset. It is also one of the best places to watch murmurations.

When you reach Devon which is further South you will be greeted by Dartmoor and Exmoor which are national parks offering you unhindered view of miles of unspoilt coastline and hilly open moorland. It can be dubbed as a paradise for cycling, horse riding and walking enthusiast. These areas can be termed as best in terms of outdoor adventure as Dartmoor is counted among one of the few places in UK permitting wild camping.

For walking and cycling enthusiast there is aplenty along the South West Coast Path and Tarka Trail. You can go on a water wildlife cruise from Ilfracombe to watch the dolphins, seals and porpoises and if you would like to double your fun then you could take a boat to Lundy Island or enjoy canoeing down the Dart River. For wild swimming, Dart is one of the best places as it moves along sheltered gorge through steep forests with natural pools and water slides along the way. Last but not the least; don't miss out on the Eden project where lies the world's largest greenhouse and a wide collection of plants from across the globe.

If you are looking for a clean and green place for your holidays then the buck stops at south-west England.