South West 660 – UK travel guide

The South West 660 is a lengthy coastal UK road trip route through southwest England, stretching from Poole in Dorset to Watchet in Somerset.

Established in 2022, it is seen as the English version of Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500.

In this guide, we give an overview of the journey through Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset.

What is the South West 660?

Stretching for 660 miles, the South West 660 is a coastal road trip through four counties in southwest England.

Starting in Poole, Dorset, and ending in Watchet, Somerset – the route takes drivers through cities, towns, fishing villages, beautiful countryside, and historic locations.

Divided into 12 stages – each around 50 to 60 miles – the route is often good for those with caravans or who want to break up the journey into multiple trips.

South West 660 map and route

Below is the map for the South West 660:

Here are the 12 stages of the South West 660:

1. Sandbanks to Weymouth
2. Weymouth to Lyme Regis
3. Lyme Regis to Exeter
4. Exeter to Dartmouth
5. Dartmouth to Plymouth
6. Plymouth to St Austell
7. St Austell to Penzance
8. Penzance to St Ives
9. St Ives to Padstow
10. Padstow to Clovelly
11. Clovelly to Lynton
12. Lynton to Watchet

There are many iconic landmarks that drivers can travel trough on their journey on the South West 660.

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What towns and cities does the South West 660 travel through?

The South West 660 road trip travels through four counties – it begins in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and finishes in Somerset.

In Dorset, travellers will start in Poole and then head to Wareham, Dorchester, Weymouth, and Lyme Regis.

Next, you’ll visit Devon and the city of Exeter. Following this, drivers will head through Exmouth, Dartmouth, Torquay, Plymouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Clovelly, and Lynton.

You will then head over the border into Cornwall, where you can drive through St Austell, Fowey, Truro, Falmouth, Penzance, St Ives, Newquay, Padstow, and Wadebridge.

Finally, drivers will finish in Somerset, where they will travel to Minehead and then onto the final destination of Watchet.

Of course, there are many detours you can make along the way – and this is how you make the journey your own!

What landmarks are on the South West 660?

As one of the most beautiful parts of England, the four counties that you travel through on the South Coast 660 are popular tourist destinations.

From the Jurassic coast, to medieval castles, to small seaside villages – there is so much to see.

Here are a few of the highlights you will see on your travels:

• Sandbanks peninsular in Poole
• Chesil Beach
• Durdle Door
• Exeter Cathedral
• Dartmouth Castle
• Exmoor National Park
• St Michael’s Mount
• Land’s End
• Minack Theatre
• Tintagel Castle
• Newquay Beach
• Dunster Castle