From street-food feasting in a vineyard to perfecting summer’s coolest aperitif, we’ve rounded up ten things to do in the South West this summer
1. Send homegrown flowers
For nearly a decade, Dorset Flower Co founder Katie Priestley has grown flowers on her family farm near Dorchester. Katie nurtures approximately 200 varieties of flowers, from armfuls of sweetpeas and dahlias to sweet‑scented garden roses and peonies. The resulting bouquets and arrangements provide a smorgasbord of colours, textures and scents. Unlike many imported cut flowers, Katie takes an environmentally sound and sustainable approach. She avoids the use of chemicals, nurtures soil health and forgoes plastic floral foam. Visit one of Katie’s year‑round floral workshops at the farm or order a seasonal bouquet of her flowers to be sent anywhere in the UK. From £35.
2. Have lunch at an organic farm
Nancarrow Farm in Cornwall celebrates 25 years as an organic farm this year, and is giving foodies the chance to visit by launching its new Courtyard Lunches. They’ll run throughout summer (Fridays only) with main courses starting at £12.50. Expect a farm‑to‑table feast of home‑reared organic beef, lamb and seasonal produce, plus bread from the on‑site bakery. Summer Sunday Lunches are also back this season to deliver a lighter take on the traditional lunch, via a set two‑course £30 menu. Follow the feelgood gluttony with a stroll around the farm to visit the grazing herds, greenhouse and vegetable gardens.
3. Throw a cena con amici
Invite Pina and Nico of Campania Kitchen to your home to craft an Italian supper party. The cooks, based in north Devon, come with high‑quality kitchen creds and craft authentic dishes from the Campania region.
Casual summertime eats include these beautiful little packages of fritto misto served with aioli.
4. Check out reef knot
The Idle Rocks in St Mawes is one of our favourite hotels, and its smart styling and stunning location are bolstered by quality cooking. Its latest gastronomic evolution, Reef Knot, is the creation of new exec head chef Stuart Shaw and centres on St Mawes‑landed fish. Make sure you start any visit with aperitifs on the terrace.
5. Immerse yourself in roses
For a scented sensory experience, head to RHS Rosemoor in Great Torrington, Devon, during its Festival of Roses. The gardens have one of the UK’s largest collections of roses – 200 varieties and over 2,000 specimens –from cottage garden climbers to modern varieties.
Visit between June 15 and July 14 or for the special Rose Weekend on June 21–23, which includes family entertainments and an artisan craft and food market.
6. Visit the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
Join the crowd of carousing shanty singers and feasters from all over the world who’ll congregate at the 20th anniversary of the much‑loved festival on June 14‑16.
Fave Falmouth restaurant Indidog will erect its waterside marquee for three days of casual food and beers from festival sponsor Sharp’s Brewery. Expect musical fun and frolics all weekend as the entertainment runs back to back. Or head into the restaurant (pictured) for a delicious lunch or dinner.
7. Go island hopping
This is the season to visit the Isles of Scilly. Escape to the tiny islands in the Atlantic to discover an unspoilt paradise of white‑sand beaches, pristine waters and subtropical plants as you skip from one isle to the next. Stay on Tresco or Bryher for glamour, St Martin’s for the best beaches or St Agnes for rustic camping in a spectacular setting.
8. Perfect the art of the paloma
Consider this your klaxon call on summer’s coolest aperitif.
Like its cousin Margarita, the Paloma (‘dove’ in Spanish) is a Mexican classic which balances sweet, sour, salty and bitter with the bite of tequila. Where they differ is the Paloma’s backbone of pink grapefruit instead of lime.
It couldn’t be easier to mix up a Paloma at home. For a single serving, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and 50ml of tequila, 15ml of freshly squeezed lime juice, 10ml of simple syrup (50/50 water and sugar) and 70ml of pink grapefruit juice. Shake until chilled, then strain the liquid into an ice‑filled glass.
(For a salted glass, first dip the rim in lime juice then dab on a saucer of crushed sea salt.)
Top with sparkling water and garnish with sliced lime, a wedge of pink grapefruit and a sprig of fresh rosemary for summer colour.
9. Feast in a vineyard
Knightor Winery at Portscatho in Cornwall has reopened its casual barn‑dining experience in the vineyard. The Vine mixes wood‑fired streetfood with fabulous wines and views, delivering an experience that captures the Cornish casual‑feasting scene.
Loads of rural space, giant Jenga and indoor and outdoor tables make it a find for both grown‑ups and those with youngsters in tow. Visit for food from Wednesdays to Saturdays and for wine tastings with snacks on Thursdays and Fridays. You can even buy Knightor wines to take home.
10. Take a foodie tour of Lyme Regis
The Dorset town’s raft of quality restaurants has turned it into a magnet for foodies, who now rival the hordes of visiting fossil‑seekers. Discover the best places to eat out (including SWIM, pictured) here.
Enjoyed reading our round-up of things to do in the South West this summer? Discover more inspiration for the season.
Share 10 things to do in the South West this summer with your friends
