West Country

The West Country is a large and broadly-defined cultural region of south-western England. Located to the south and east of Wales, it is usually considered to be contained within the statistical region South West England, sometimes being used as a synonym for it. Generally, it is considered to include at least the entirety of the counties Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, plus the city of Bristol (which is mostly in Gloucestershire), with the whole of Gloucestershire, plus Wiltshire, sometimes being included. Occasionally, south-western parts of the Midlands may also be included.

The West Country is known for its distinctive regional dialect as well as its cider and strong agricultural tradition, being a primarily rural region. The region was also influential on United States history, as West Country town of Plymouth in 1620 was the port from which the Mayflower departed, carrying the first English immigrants to North America.

Definition

The West Country is not at this time a statistical region of England. However, most definitions of the West Country include the following: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset with the addition of Bristol in Gloucestershire. Sometimes, the entirety of Gloucestershire may also be included, or at at least a larger area of it than merely Bristol. Wiltshire too may also be included. Less often, the counties Herefordshire and Worcestershire, specifically their southern areas bordering Gloucestershire, may also be considered.

Sometimes, the West Country may be used as a synonym for the statistical region of South West England; broadly corresponding to the counties Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, with the addition of Christchurch, which is in Hampshire.