Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-somerset">SOMERSET</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bath"><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/bath-city-guide/">Bath</a></h2>



<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" alt=" Roman baths showing pool and rooftops " src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/3rpx8NmW3wbcOE0njT-sSQ8ay8RQuoSkVbt2_O1bx_gOV3lMtyAubeFrnD5q2cvvKr_yRHd0TW7gQ2wFV8PkJUXKUJdY3DtAHJPm5p3wocV88n0BZAUQYYN5eZ8zsm_QxQmHjvNp7z_oVF2NRTV8idU" width="624" height="416">Roman Baths by Lloyd Evans Photography. VisitBath</p>



<p>Sure, there are the Roman Baths, Jane Austen and it’s stuffed to the gills with gorgeous Georgian architecture – cripes, the whole city’s been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site – but there’s so much more than history to discover in Bath.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bristol"><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/a-visit-to-bristol-is-gert-lush-heres-why/">BRISTOL</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/00-clifton-suspension_Fotor.jpg" alt="Clifton Suspension Bridge" class="wp-image-94089" /></figure>



<p>Cosmopolitan <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/a-visit-to-bristol-is-gert-lush-heres-why/">Bristol’</a>s the buzzy, bustling antidote to sleepy Somerset and the rest of the West Country, with cutting edge arts and culture, deliciously diverse food and drink, bohemian indie shopping – an inland surf lake – and fab festivals galore.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dorset">DORSET</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bournemouth"><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-bournemouth/">Bournemouth</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/VjwL0VO9mvcjh0jgqfWeEUtUfXp9WiZUxjdRn6zpB4wbE7EuoRt2JjGdsUvl7Lt3YP-z3aXlJseJz1OKFfEHkFRndYl424qPveCO1NqqBaFzPYzpOXYstqCAHICFsLJlZhphy0rVslwWhfcq-UNfwB0" alt="beach and town of Bournemouth from the air " /></figure>



<p>From indie and vintage shopping, via brilliant beaches and nature reserves, to Michelin-listed food, cocktails with views and one of the UK’s smallest cinemas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-devon">DEVON</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exeter"><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/city-guide-to-exeter/">Exeter</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/4d5z1ehntg-XsAfRn6qRR1ReFRtSNBXyRBj9cFxsvFV4ews57vS1UQpmPKVAS3-ootEj_amc2DNe4XAWjnKDI6NzzKFXWnRHbdDy5i5qQUol08T6v8WY-bjK7qSzBq0A-_j2TxI_dlwPqEte1CBhQls" alt="Exeter's Quayside at dusk with the canal and waterside buildings lit up" /></figure>



<p>Have you checked out Exeter recently? A city neatly tucked between the beaches of the south coast and the wilderness of Dartmoor, it’s a fab option for a weekender – small, walkable and with a cool, visible cross-section of history, starting with *that* gorgeous Gothic cathedral, and waterside Quay; it has a nightlife to please everyone from students to the most discerning crowd; and its indie scene is alive and kicking, baby!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dartmouth"><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/14-things-to-do-in-dartmouth-devon/">Dartmouth</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Tf6HvVL1Y7dz9G-oUYKwCYvrGciJFibRUBoA2DgFJSkZXwumWabhjKb-UyTYZs2CWB8j1Cm_O16KLLWoUlvVjNQ5cOx53diUeZIkvPW0mUbvGOK6dOYdLAtK72s846CWmsV33rwRlBOwgrHW5elzy3c" alt="Foss Street in Dartmouth with flags, shop fronts and cobbled streets" /></figure>



<p>Craving a nifty nautical adventure? Hotfoot it to the upmarket South Hams harbour town for shopping, scoffing, quaffing and messing about on the water. It’s the perfect day trip if you love mooching around galleries, excellent seafood and an ice cream sitting on a harbour wall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plymouth"><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/insider-guide-plymouth/">Plymouth</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/y9JVyH4xb9BbuOjlF_pT-5RNgKVT-A4RJpEdCOzL26nqWMWCDjkhdKdn6NWmwrq5_kN3k2iM69q9QF-ApKyFkgK1OZErLshHLHfdGJStcA-MV14SlpEPuRMANeKZnr7FgNIXnBKFPm5RZ3jCdI4xNAs" alt="Plymouth Hoe overlooking The Sound with stripy red and white lighthouse Smeaton's Tower" /></figure>



<p>Plymouth is way more than just Plymouth Hoe (where Sir Francis Drake reputedly finished his game of bowls before taking on the Spanish Armada); and we have the inside line on the coolest places to eat, stay and play. Here’s now to ensure your trip to Plymouth rocks!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-totnes"><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/10-brilliant-things-to-do-in-totnes/">Totnes</a></h2>



<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" alt="wooden houses and shopfronts in Totnes with the motte and Bailey castle in the distance " src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ODxnpUMGDlQ7dDoqqhNalGN7NV_xEoa6rvnTdMrfA0dAQsQ3CTaueA0fpfQRbY6owXypcMBXzLqNzZ7pt8WP60PEdY6fGE9kZNgd5PU3zFl_HswBfbLwa2oGyll1xv4f8NrlzS-6lvdq6QUzDrsW2HA" width="624" height="416">Pic credit Rich Bonstow</p>



<p>Totnes was into sustainable living and eco-chic well before the rest of the UK, and now everyone else has caught on, it’s looking very on-trend. Known for its indie high street and music scene, this buzzing South Hams town has a motte and bailey castle, cool coffee shops and river options. Some say it’s the Notting Hill of the South West (just don’t let a local hear you calling it that.)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bideford"><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/10-brilliant-things-to-do-in-bideford/">Bideford</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/KRDU5sW4TuLI06hTc3PbNL-0_jnri8kzo9H6a3D3W7kxzBLcigH-91hkKeuIJqUClg09gj7CNLLxGyAqeH0DT2ZB3fXW9A6FmonOBN214kRb2THlvdbhOOKn4uzsWbLORIwHrDWD8YcXyGqAy2aLzR0" alt="" /></figure>



<p>Planning a trip to home of Tarka the Otter? From the longest mediaeval bridge in England on the River Torridge’s to the historic Butchers Row, and options on sightseeing on the island of Lundy and the historic fishing village of Clovelly, here are 12 good reasons to check out Bideford in North Devon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lynton-and-lynmouth"><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/things-to-do-in-lynton-and-lynmouth/">Lynton and Lynmouth</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/pBFsA2u3riTkEHrGPG9rhnX9aj6iiZlq-TU4RW-g8i0K2Z8q1aLnMELxph1B7Dg3bdPUlOcGArSp1balPhFm7HzWU8bMvLda7WN-QniHG0wcHIkePBnS1cEpwXuyOXPtD9C8eOpexdexY86gVyuwbWY" alt="" /></figure>



<p>Home to the Muddy Awards’ Best Destination Pub 2024, and nicknamed Little Switzerland by the Romantic poets for its alpine appeal, this still undiscovered area of North Devon has walks, cream tea cafés, famous goats (!) and the world’s steepest cliff railway. A crowd-pleasing day trip for families, young and old.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cornwall">CORNWALL</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-truro"><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/locals-guide-to-truro/">Truro</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/TUIdgFcDsZ6XkRVJwblxolAL9fFYod011NMn-67a1nxyPCruPbqtMb0pJUNXbj7EXk2u32qYR6Zdt2z8Fo_cENJSGGh_2aWrO_2iZMgWYnyDavH2g5xlOoCthNtIBaaJRI1poGz4KR0WQwoYELKaIwQ" alt="Rooftops in Truro strung with blue and red bunting in a blue sky" /></figure>



<p>Foodie, arty and cultural – Truro is Cornwall’s Great Little City and our in-the-know local guide will point you straight to the places to be.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-newquay-nbsp"><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/the-best-things-to-do-in-newquay-cornwall/">Newquay&nbsp;</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/4EQQx9kW5B9LngBJ7QcvA8Ii-LRBResCHfeiyrd-IawwLPke7STgmYZp9KRUrMqgGsB8LcvkJ2SpyaCA4C8zNEAH3LMlt3N-QlzT8JaHHJi5C9ItCEmPKk71gEDo68X8v2ts_t0_FHNvpdbXYbv12Lk" alt="Golden sandy beach at Newquay with the town in the distance " /></figure>



<p>Heading to Newquay? You’ll be needing our Muddy Insider Guide to the 12 best things that the UK’s surf capital has to offer, including where to eat, drink, shop and get your culture fix (yes really!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-ives"><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/the-muddy-guide-to-st-ives/">St Ives</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/R0J0-Q06CgcQOXg0WMfdfjaZDOFXKQE8wOT5egSDmu7-JNGMeL89WWoxh0Zsax4uGTeIESV8IRfbzDddlGDh55rXQJVHLvNASc3XpimZ_yMEPolRZZvfmDQKUsdsr0LwAo_Z_Z_j2mLRK6LrfyseGv8" alt="Blue sea, golden beach and St Ives in the distance" /></figure>



<p>There aren’t many British seaside resorts that manage to be quaint and cool at the same time but St Ives ticks all the boxes. As well as its famous white sand beaches, turquoise sea and golden light, this artists’ mecca has a thriving foodie scene, good surf and miles of breath-taking, nearby coastline to explore. Ditch the guide book and make a beeline for these local favourites.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fowey"><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/insider-guide-to-fowey-cornwall/">Fowey</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/3iaCeFHHRtGIZaQs7ocPW-p4vj8wm554UHAe_wb_2-lMj5NYB5WBvNkP4EEriROwHNSeYw81uGNm404SdhR20HaFBJaGC-wd3hk9Rk-lu0DL79Tr6DiuMPbaydX9nJDcFTP3F-u6Vgtv9KNmyU3MYVk" alt="" /></figure>



<p>Fowey (to rhyme with joy) is a chic Cornish south coast harbour town between Looe and St Austell, with winding narrow streets and beautiful sea and river views.</p>


Top towns and cities to visit in the South West

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