There is nothing spectacular or picturesque about this bridge – but it does offer a great view of the M5. In a summer heatwave those tourism bosses can stand there warming the cockles of their hearts as they look down at three chock-a-block lanes of our main artery bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors in to the region. For the rest of us there other places to go and things to do in a summer heatwave – and here is a Western Morning News listing of the Top Half Dozen Summer Treats...
1While on the B3391 drive a mile south along it and ascend Culmstock Beacon where you'll enjoy cool breeze and some of the most stunning views in the region.
2Down on the motorway many cars will have surfboards – and a great many of them will be on their way to the Boardmasters Festival of Surfing and Music in Newquay (August 7 – 11).
3For those who prefer being in the water rather than standing on top of it there are a series of dips organised by the Devon and Cornwall Wild Swimming group, which this weekend is staging its annual splash around Burgh Island. The Sunday event is full for competitive entries, but there's plenty to see and do – check out www.devonandcornwallwildswimming.co.uk/swims.
4If swimming is too much and you just want to keep cool, sit under a Westcountry waterfall. The White Lady at Lydford Gorge will pound the living daylights out of you.
5Wildlife watching. The region is rich in wildlife but all too many visitors never see so much as a single seal. Talking of seals – best go to the northern half of Lundy or the Eastern Isles in the Scillies. For wild red deer try the Dunkery range around Exmoor's classic Cloutsham. For birds get out to the various RSPB hides on the Somerset Levels.
6Let the train take the strain. Westcountry roads will be full in August but the region has fabulous branch-lines. Tootle west of Lelant to St Ives, for example, and avoid that resort's hellish parking – or steam along the UK's longest (and some would say loveliest) private line from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.
