A new campaign and digital platform, Explore UNESCO South West Trails, has been launched by the South West of England’s 8 UNESCO sites – including Bristol City of Film.
The new partnership offers visitors an inspiring and sustainable way to discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of South West England.
Launched in partnership with Great Western Railway (GWR), exploreunescosouthwesttrails.co.uk/ offers a curated collection of two-day trails inspiring opportunities to discover eight UNESCO-designated sites across the region.
From dramatic coastlines and historic cities to globally significant landscapes, the platform invites users to explore the South West through immersive journeys that celebrate heritage, creativity, and sustainability.
Explore UNESCO South West Trails provides a unified gateway for discovering World Heritage Sites, a Biosphere Reserve, a Global Geopark, Creative Cities and other internationally recognised locations that highlight the area’s global importance.
To mark the launch, promotional posters will be displayed at key GWR railway stations, encouraging passengers to ’start their journey by rail’.
The campaign highlights how rail travel can unlock easy access to multiple trail starting points, supporting low-carbon travel while celebrating the rich diversity of heritage across the South West. Through interactive content, route ideas, and practical information, users can plan journeys that not only enrich their own experience but also support local communities and reduce their environmental footprint.
As part of the launch, visitors are also invited to take part in a competition designed to encourage engagement with the trails. By following a QR code link, visitors will have the chance to win a choice of trail-based activities with first place including rail travel, showcasing the very best of the region’s UNESCO destinations.
Image: GWR
Key features of the trails include:
- Clear and easy to follow routes around eight UNESCO sites in the South West
- Inspirational itineraries to showcase the best of each site over 48 hours
- Information on sustainable travel options and local experiences
The launch comes at a time when travellers are increasingly seeking meaningful, place-based experiences. By connecting heritage, nature, and culture through themed trails, “Explore UNESCO South West Trails” aims to position the region as a leading destination for sustainable and experiential tourism.
Kathryn Davis, CEO, Visit West said: “The South West is home to some of the UK’s most remarkable UNESCO designated landscapes and cultural sites including Bath, a double inscribed World Heritage Site and Bristol, a UNESCO City of Film. This initiative brings them together for the first time, making it easier for visitors to explore, understand, and appreciate their global significance while travelling sustainably and caring for the wider environment.”
GWR Regional Partnerships Manager, Ruth Powell, added: “We’re proud to support this initiative, helping customers connect with some of the South West’s most internationally celebrated landscapes and cultural sites by train. Rail is one of the most sustainable ways to travel, and this campaign showcases just how accessible these world-class destinations can be.”
Partners in the campaign are grateful to have received funding support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund through UNESCO’s UK National Commission ‘Local to Global 2.0’ which has made the initiative possible.
Explore UNESCO South West Trails is now live and accessible to visitors worldwide.