Where does the South West begin?

[whole diary]

[Trowres]

Draw your own conclusions from this NR^» (Network Rail - home page) tweet following storm-related disruption this morning (my highlighting):

Poor weather conditions affecting trains in the South West of England this morning. South Western Railway customers may use Southern and Cross Country services via any reasonable route, and local buses between Haslemere and Guildford. http://twt.lt/h145

[JayMac]

In rail terms, the South West begins at London Waterloo.

The West, the Marches, South Wales and the far South West begin at London Paddington.

 

[Bob_Blakey]

I would imagine this was due to the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Twatter account being run by a work experience intern who had failed their Geography 'O' Level. 

[PhilWakely]

In rail terms, the South West begins at London Waterloo.

You could also say that the South East extends as far as Exeter in the Gospel according to the now defunct NSE^▸ (Network South East).

[Worcester_Passenger]

Ah yes, St George for England, St Pancras for Scotland.

[bobm]

Swindon Mail Centre is in Royal Mail's SW region and that is responsible for mail to and from the OX postcode area which extends north of Banbury.

[TaplowGreen]

Anything east of Devon is "Up North" I'm afraid!

(To some in Cornwall, anything east of the Tamar Bridge is simply referred to as "London"!)

🙂

[Bmblbzzz]

According to Wikipedia:

South West England is one of nine official regions of England. It is the largest in area, covering 9,200 square miles (23,800 km2),[1] and consists of the counties of Gloucestershire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, as well as the Isles of Scilly. Five million people live in South West England.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_West_England

Contrast with:

he West Country is a loosely defined area of south western England.[1] The term usually encompasses the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and often the counties of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The region is host to distinctive regional dialects and accents.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Country

And with:

The West of England is a loose and locationally unspecific term sometimes given to the area surrounding the city and county of Bristol, England, and also sometimes applied more widely and in other parts of South West England.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_of_England

Clear as mud; red Devon mud, Cornish granite, Cotswold limestone or...

[broadgage]

I find that the south west begins when I have taken my reserved seat in the Pullman of the Golden hind, placed my order, and been served with a drink.
The geographical location for this varies a bit but is often just outside London, sometimes it might be before leaving Paddington.

[TaplowGreen]

I find that the south west begins when I have taken my reserved seat in the Pullman of the Golden hind, placed my order, and been served with a drink.
The geographical location for this varies a bit but is often just outside London, sometimes it might be before leaving Paddington.

Alternatively just get yourself a pasty (or two if going through to Penzance) and a few cans of Tribute. Far better value & no need to reserve a seat. 🙂

[ellendune]

You could also say that the South East extends as far as Exeter in the Gospel according to the now defunct NSE^▸ (Network South East).

Only if you travel from Waterloo via Yeovil

[broadgage]

A pasty and some canned beer is NOT a substitute for a proper meal, and I would still want a reserved seat, just in case.

[TaplowGreen]

A pasty and some canned beer is NOT a substitute for a proper meal

You may say that - those of us from the real Southwest may well disagree! 

[bobm]

I am lucky enough to have the occasional lunchtime meeting at the St Austell Brewery. As well as the beer I can vouch for the pasties.

(Certainly the uphill walk from the railway station builds up a thirst)

[LiskeardRich]

The south west coast path goes from Poole to minehead for another boundary.