West Country
A loosely defined region of South West England with a distinct dialect.
The West Country is a loosely defined area within South West England, usually taken to include the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Bristol, with some considering it to extend to all or parts of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. It is bounded by the English Channel to the south and the Atlantic Ocean, Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary to the north, with its eastern limit less clearly defined. The region is notable for its distinctive regional English dialect and accent, and is also home to the Cornish language.
- Region
- South West England
- Core counties
- Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol
- Disputed counties
- Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire
- Borders
- English Channel, Atlantic Ocean, Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary
- Languages
- English (West Country dialect), Cornish
- Protected foods
- West Country Lamb, West Country Beef, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar
Lore & Background
The West Country's extent has varied over time. Modern definitions vary. Other counties received less than 50% agreement, with 28% including Wiltshire, 27% including Gloucestershire, 12% including Herefordshire and 9% including Worcestershire, though those last two counties are officially part of the West Midlands region. The region has specific cultural and economic uses. West Country Carnivals are held in many towns in and around Somerset. West Country Lamb and West Country Beef are EU Protected Geographical Indications covering products from animals born and reared in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire or Gloucestershire. West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a Protected Designation of Origin limited to cheddar cheese made in the traditional way in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Somerset.
Reader's Guide
The West Country is significant as a cultural and geographical region with a fluid identity, reflecting historical and contemporary perceptions. The region's distinct dialect and the presence of the Cornish language underscore its cultural uniqueness. The West Country also appears in media, such as ITV West Country's two broadcast regions, and in sports, where the term 'West Country derby' refers to matches between cities like Bristol and Bath or Gloucester and Bath. A former brewery in Cheltenham traded as West Country Ales, with its ceramic plaques still visible in pub walls across several counties. The region's legacy is preserved in protected food names, local traditions like carnivals, and its ongoing use in branding and identity, despite the lack of a single official definition.
Did You Know?
- West Country Lamb and West Country Beef are EU Protected Geographical Indications covering animals born and reared in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire or Gloucestershire.
- West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a Protected Designation of Origin limited to cheddar cheese made in the traditional way in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset or Somerset.
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