Where does the South West begin?

[whole diary]

[plymothian]

The far south west could be justified as IoS, Cornwall and Devon, with the south west extending to Somerset and Dorset.  Bristol likes to brand itself as West of England, though you can argue that Gloucestershire (and so BANES) would be south west, as beyond that is the Midlands. 

Berkshire and Oxfordshire are Home Counties, so that nudges Wiltshire in to south west. 

Hampshire and IoW are the south.

Surrey, Middlesex, Sussex and Kent are south east.

Westcountry would be defined as per the ITV franchise!

[PhilWakely]

According to this map, Cardiff, Chepstow, Gloucester, Worcester, Great Malvern and all points between are also apparently in the South West

[Bmblbzzz]

Then again, Gloucestershire used to come under the Midlands Electricity Board. Also Severn-Trent Water, which would also indicate Midlands. Worcester is Midlands (or is it?) and Gloucester is associated with it through the Three Choirs Festival. Also, Offa's Dyke runs through Gloucestershire and Offa was King of Mercia, not Wessex. Perhaps this indicates that historically Gloucestershire was more connected with the Midlands but now more with the (South) West (of England).

[ellendune]

Then again, Gloucestershire used to come under the Midlands Electricity Board. Also Severn-Trent Water, which would also indicate Midlands. Worcester is Midlands (or is it?) and Gloucester is associated with it through the Three Choirs Festival. Also, Offa's Dyke runs through Gloucestershire and Offa was King of Mercia, not Wessex. Perhaps this indicates that historically Gloucestershire was more connected with the Midlands but now more with the (South) West (of England).

When Offa was King of Mercia, he ruled much of Wessex, at other times Wessex was much larger and the border was further North. 

Severn Trent Water's boundary is based on the catchment of the two rivers in its title so not really relevant.

However Gloucester does have some historic links with the Midlands

[grahame]

My usual flippant answer is that "The West" starts about 20 miles to the west of where you live ... if you live in Taunton, "The West" starts at Tiverton but if you live in Frome, Taunton is in "The West" though you are not.  I live in Melksham - that's not in the West, but Frome is.  No doubt we may have member or two here living in Swindon who will tell me that Melksham is in The West.

In all seriousness, Travelwatch SouthWest has had to define "The South West" and there's a map showing what it means at http://travelwatchsouthwest.org/about-us/

Our “South West” comprises the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Somerset and the unitary authorities of Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Bristol, North Somerset, Plymouth, Poole, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.

You'll note the map has a somewhat jagged border, since there's logic in aligning passenger transport zones of interest with the zones of the passenger transport authorities (PTAs^▸ (Passenger Transport Authority)), and there are arguable distortions.    Taking Wiltshire and looking at economic zones and commutes,  Pewsey and Bedwyn face towards London so perhaps they belong in the Home Counties / South East?  Looking at watersheds, Pewsey belongs in the South West as it drains via the Bristol Avon, but Bedwyn belongs in the Home Counties, draining via the Thames through London. ...

There is a serious issue to this question where travel and transport are organised by region ... and journeys across between regions get scant attention ...

[Bmblbzzz]

Then again, Gloucestershire used to come under the Midlands Electricity Board. Also Severn-Trent Water, which would also indicate Midlands. Worcester is Midlands (or is it?) and Gloucester is associated with it through the Three Choirs Festival. Also, Offa's Dyke runs through Gloucestershire and Offa was King of Mercia, not Wessex. Perhaps this indicates that historically Gloucestershire was more connected with the Midlands but now more with the (South) West (of England).

When Offa was King of Mercia, he ruled much of Wessex, at other times Wessex was much larger and the border was further North. 

Severn Trent Water's boundary is based on the catchment of the two rivers in its title so not really relevant.

However Gloucester does have some historic links with the Midlands

It's quite well known that Cirencester was a Roman capital of Britain (briefly) but not that Malmesbury has a claim to being the first capital of a united England. It's interesting to speculate why this might be.

[TaplowGreen]

The enthusiasm, nay fervour on display within this thread to be considered as part of the South West really is quite moving..............I guess those of us lucky enough to have been born in Devon or Cornwall, the true South West, will just have to get used to others aspiring to be as blessed as us! 

[Western Pathfinder]

I live in Bristol twenty miles to the left of me is either Wet or Welsh 🙂

[rogerw]

When I was at school - a mere lad in short trousers - I was taught that the south west comprised Cornwall, Devon, Dorset & Somerset.  I lived in west Dorset and my geography teacher was from Cornwall.

[johnneyw]

To some in Bristol, the north apparently starts at Filton. I understand better, the north starts at the Almondsbury motorway intersection! ☺

[LiskeardRich]

National rails idea of the south west, as deemed by the freedom of the southwest, and perhaps the most relevant answer for the railway.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/static/documents/promotions/Freedom_of_South_West_3.pdf

[Chris from Nailsea]

Even the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) are occasionally unsure as to which counties are in the South West:

BBC apologises over Escape to the Country's Devon Dorset mix-up

The BBC has apologised after Escape to the Country incorrectly labelled Devon and Dorset on one of its graphics in Monday's programme, describing it as an "honest mistake".



"The incorrect labelling of Dorset and Devon on the map was an honest mistake for which we apologise, and we will ensure this is corrected in future broadcast versions of the episode."

BBC spokeswoman

 

[ChrisB]

Bedwyn was the western extent of the NSE^▸ (Network South East) ares doen the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury), so a good reasn to say that West thereof is south-west, while Bedwyn forms the western extent of the Home Counties?

[Richard Fairhurst]

The South-West is the contiguous area in which you can be reliably sure of finding a pub which sells proper cider. (Wetherspoons doesn't count.)

[Andy]

When I was at school - a mere lad in short trousers - I was taught that the south west comprised Cornwall, Devon, Dorset & Somerset.  I lived in west Dorset and my geography teacher was from Cornwall.

This is my view, too. Wiltshire, Bristol & Gloucestershire are more "The West" rather than "The South West" for me.