People & Stories
Exclusive features, profiles and stories from across the West Country — celebrating the people and businesses that make the region special.
What's New in Somerset & Dorset? Places to Eat, Stay & Discover in 2026
New restaurants, vineyard experiences, countryside retreats and places worth making a detour for – there's plenty happening across Somerset and Dorset in 2026. Here's what's on our West Country Escapes radar.
By West Country Escapes
Clarkson's Farm Star Lisa Hogan Launches 'Only Farmers' – and It Could Be Made for the West Country
From farm stays and vineyard tours to lambing days, workshops and rural experiences, a new platform launched by Clarkson's Farm star Lisa Hogan and her son Wolfe Bentinck is helping people discover a side of British farming they might never otherwise see. And for the West Country, the idea feels particularly relevant.
By West Country Escapes
Who could headline Glastonbury 2027? The rumours are already building
With Glastonbury taking a fallow year in 2026, speculation about its 2027 return has gathered momentum — and some very big names are already being linked with Worthy Farm.
By West Country Escapes Editorial
Why Devon? Holiday, Buy a Property, Move and Work in Devon
Discover why Devon is a wonderful place to holiday, buy property, live and work. Explore beaches, Dartmoor, towns, villages, property, jobs and the Devon lifestyle.
By West Country Escapes
Why Somerset? Holiday, Buy a Property, Move and Work in Somerset
Discover why Somerset is a wonderful place to holiday, buy property, live and work. Explore Exmoor, historic towns, countryside, property, jobs and the Somerset lifestyle.
By West Country Escapes
Why Dorset? Holiday, Buy a Property, Move and Work in Dorset
Discover why Dorset is a wonderful place to holiday, buy property, live and work. Explore the Jurassic Coast, beaches, towns, countryside, property, jobs and Dorset lifestyle.
By West Country Escapes
Why Cornwall? Holiday, Buy a Property, Move and Work in Cornwall
Discover why Cornwall is a wonderful place to holiday, buy property, live and work. Explore beaches, towns, lifestyle, property, jobs and what makes Cornwall so special.
By West Country Escapes
Why Move to South West England? Discover Life in the West Country
Thinking of moving to South West England? Discover why Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset offer an incredible combination of coast, countryside, communities and quality of life — and why you should visit before you move.
By West Country Escapes
Moving to Devon: 10 Essential Tips Before You Make the Move
Thinking of moving to Devon? From the best places to live and property prices to schools, commuting and coastal life, here's what you need to know before relocating to one of Britain's most desirable counties.
By West Country Escapes
Why Celebrities Are Falling in Love with the West Country
From Oscar winners and rock stars to television presenters and entrepreneurs, the West Country has quietly become one of the most sought-after places to live in Britain.
By West Country Escapes
9 Things Nobody Tells You Before Moving to the West Country
You've fallen for the coastline, the cream teas and the slower pace of life. But before you pack your bags, here are nine things most people only discover after they've made the move.
By West Country Escapes
Richard Lander: The Cornish Explorer Who Mapped Africa's Great River
Born in Truro in 1804, Richard Lander became one of the nineteenth century's most important explorers, helping solve one of geography's greatest mysteries: the course of the River Niger.
By West Country Escapes
Beyond Paradise: Discover the Real Cornwall Behind TV's Favourite Seaside Mystery
Ever wondered where BBC hit series Beyond Paradise is actually filmed? Much of the show is set in the beautiful Cornish fishing town of Looe — one of the West Country's most charming coastal destinations.
By West Country Escapes
10 Famous Films That Showcase the Beauty of the West Country
From Hot Fuzz in Wells to Rebecca in Cornwall and Dartmoor's Hound of the Baskervilles, discover the iconic films that put the West Country on the big screen.
By West Country Escapes
Wolf Hall and the West Country: The Somerset Locations Behind One of Britain's Greatest TV Dramas
Explore the Somerset filming locations behind BBC's Wolf Hall and The Mirror and the Light, including Montacute House, Barrington Court and Wells Cathedral.
By West Country Escapes
Lights, Camera, West Country: 10 Iconic Films That Showcase the South West
From Hot Fuzz in Wells to Rebecca in Cornwall and Dartmoor's Hound of the Baskervilles, discover the iconic films that put the West Country on the big screen.
By West Country Escapes
Escape to the Country: Why This Beloved TV Series Is Inspiring a New Generation to Discover the West Country
For more than 20 years, Escape to the Country has been helping viewers dream of a different way of life. Nowhere captures the imagination quite like the West Country.
By West Country Escapes
Meet Lynne Franks: The Fashion Pioneer Who Found Her Home in Somerset
From launching London Fashion Week to building a wellbeing community in Wincanton — Lynne Franks is one of the most inspiring people to have chosen the West Country as home.
By West Country Escapes
West Country Icons: The Pioneers, Explorers & Legends Who Shaped the World
From Sir Francis Drake to Jane Austen — the definitive guide to the visionaries, heroes and cultural giants with roots in the West Country.
By West Country Escapes
King Ina of Wessex: The West Country King Who Helped Shape England
Long before England became a united nation, one ruler from the West Country helped lay the foundations for the country we know today.
By West Country Escapes
Sir Ranulph Fiennes: The World's Greatest Living Explorer and His West Country Connections
Often described as the world's greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has strong connections to Exmoor and the wider West Country, making him a modern addition to the region's remarkable history of exploration.
By West Country Escapes
Sir Francis Drake: The Devon Explorer Who Sailed Around the World
Born in Tavistock, Devon, Sir Francis Drake became one of England's most celebrated explorers and the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.
By West Country Escapes
Famous Faces of Somerset: The Celebrities, Icons and Legends Who Call Somerset Home
From world-famous comedians and television stars to Formula One champions and bestselling authors, Somerset has quietly helped shape British culture for generations.
By West Country Escapes
John Cleese and Somerset: How Weston-super-Mare Helped Shape a Comedy Legend
Before the fame, the awards and the international recognition, John Cleese's story began in the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset.
By West Country Escapes
Hollywood in the West Country: The Filming Locations Bringing Drama to Screen
Discover the major film and television productions that have chosen the West Country as their backdrop, and the locations you can visit.
By West Country Escapes
Wolf Hall: When Tudor Drama Came to the West Country
Explore how the acclaimed BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall brought Elizabethan and Tudor England to life using West Country locations.
By West Country Escapes
Beyond Paradise: The Cornish Gem that Became a Television Sensation
Discover how the picturesque seaside town of Looe in Cornwall became the backdrop for ITV's hit detective drama Beyond Paradise.
By West Country Escapes
King Ina's Palace: A Somerset Landmark Rooted in Royal History
Discover how the historic King Ina's Palace in South Petherton connects medieval architecture with Anglo-Saxon royal heritage, and the fascinating story behind its name.
By West Country Escapes
Meet Ben Bambrough: The West Country Home Stylist Helping Homeowners Increase Property Value and Holiday Let Income
Discover how West Country home stylist Ben Bambrough uses 25 years of experience in London and the South of France to help homeowners, buyers and holiday let owners maximise their property's potential and earning power.
By West Country Escapes
Fern Britton, Cornwall and the Family Story That Inspired a Bestselling Novel
Discover how Cornwall inspired Fern Britton's bestselling novel Daughters of Cornwall. Explore her connection to Cornwall, favourite places, family history and life in the South West.
By West Country Escapes
The Best Vineyard Tours and Wine Tasting Experiences in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall
Discover the award-winning wines of the West Country. Explore the best vineyard tours and wine tasting experiences in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
By West Country Escapes
Famous Women From the West Country: The Inspiring Women Who Changed Britain
From bestselling authors and sporting legends to successful entrepreneurs and television icons, discover the remarkable women from the West Country who have left an extraordinary mark on British culture.
By West Country Escapes
Famous Musicians From the West Country: The Voices and Artists Behind Global Hits
The West Country is famous for its spectacular landscapes, but it's also home to some of Britain's most successful musicians. From Grammy-winning singers to world-famous rock stars, the South West has produced artists who have sold millions of records and performed to audiences across the globe.
By West Country Escapes
Famous Actors and Comedians From the West Country: The Stars Who Put the South West on the Map
The West Country has long been a source of creativity, producing some of Britain's most beloved actors, comedians and entertainers. From Hollywood legends to award-winning comedy writers, the South West has nurtured talent that has gone on to achieve global success.
By West Country Escapes
Best Places to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the West Country
From dedicated sports bars to traditional pubs with big screens, here are the best places in the West Country to catch the 2026 World Cup action.
By West Country Escapes
Deborah Meaden: Why the Dragons' Den Star Still Calls Somerset Home
From Dragons' Den to the rolling hills of Somerset — entrepreneur Deborah Meaden has long called the West Country home. We explore why so many high-profile figures are choosing Somerset's countryside, community and quality of life.
By West Country Escapes