Made up of four counties the South West of England is a magnet for tourists staying in holiday cottages and it’s hardly surprising; a beautiful coastline, lovely rural landscapes, historic towns, pretty villages and busy fishing harbours plus stunning places to visit for great family days out. With so many annual events and festivals suitable for everyone, even your four legged friend, the South West really is a place to head for any time of the year.

You can immerse yourself in history, myths and legends, enjoy medieval towns and cities, explore two National Parks or relax on golden sandy beaches. The local culinary delights include seafood, cream teas and locally brewed cider or buy your own ingredients from farmers markets to prepare in your own self-catering cottage.

First up is Cornwall with a rugged coastline, wild moorland and hundreds of sandy beaches. At the western tip is Lands End, a magnificent landmark boasting high-cliff walks and stunning scenery. The remains of UNESCO World Heritage listed mines along with fishing and farming traditions are mixed up with the Eden Project, Minack Theatre, dining at celebrity chef restaurants or surfing on breathtaking beaches.

Now Devon is all about cream teas, fresh crab sandwiches, surf-ready waves and lovely coastal walks. It’s also known as the English Riviera with more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Britain. Combine hours on the beach with relaxing walks in the countryside or for something livelier try Exeter or Plymouth. Dartmoor and Exmoor offer a variety of walks, so perfect if you’re taking your four legged friend.

Dorset is blessed with the Jurassic coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site including spectacular cliffs, hidden bays, fossils found on the beach and out-of-this world rock formations. This is a slice of rural England and one of the few counties in Britain without a motorway, a great base to explore the south-west and get away from it all on a self catering holiday. Don’t miss Maiden Castle one of the largest and most complex Iron Age hill forts in Europe.

Think of stunning landscapes, sandy beaches, ripe strawberries, cheddar cheese and cider, the Glastonbury Festival, Mulbery handbags and Arthurian legends to conjure up images of Somerset. One of the highlights is the magnificent city of Bath but there is much more to this amazing and surprisingly large county. As well as the Exmoor National Park it includes four AONB, crafty art and food festivals, agricultural shows, notable towns to village greens and a lovely coastline. It really does have it all as does the whole of the South West of England!