West Country

The West Country is a special area in South West England. It usually includes five main places called counties: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and the city of Bristol. Some people also think it stretches to parts of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire.

This area is known for its unique way of speaking English, which sounds different from other parts of the country. It also has its own special language called the Cornish language, which many people there are proud of. The West Country is a lovely place with beautiful countryside, coastlines, and rich traditions that make it special.

Extent

The West Country is a part of South West England. It is surrounded by the English Channel to the south and the Atlantic Ocean, Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary to the north. The eastern edge of this area is not very clear.

Some people think the West Country is the same as the official South West England region. A survey in 2019 showed that many people believed Cornwall and Devon are part of the West Country. Most also included Somerset, Bristol, and Dorset. Some smaller parts of other counties like Wiltshire and Gloucestershire are sometimes included, but not always.

Specific uses

During a big uprising in 1450 in Wiltshire, people called it an action by "the comenys of the weste contre," showing that Wiltshire was seen as part of the West Country.

West Country Carnivals happen in many towns around Somerset.

In 1932, a map of the West Country was made for drivers by Esso. Bristol and Salisbury were shown as the northernmost and easternmost cities on that map.

West Country Lamb and West Country Beef are special foods from animals born and raised in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, or Gloucestershire. "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar" is a special type of cheddar cheese made in the old way in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, or Somerset.

ITV West Country is a TV station that shows local news and weather for two areas: ITV West Country West covers the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset and Somerset, while ITV West Country East covers the rest of Somerset and Dorset, along with Bristol, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire.

The phrase West Country derby describes sports games between cities like Bristol and Bath, or Gloucester and Bath.

A old brewery in Cheltenham was called West Country Ales; you can still see their ceramic plaques on pub walls in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, and parts of Wales.