David Braine examines extreme weather. The South West enjoys milder, wilder and more varied weather than the rest of England. Parts of the region enjoy ideal growing conditions for subtropical plants, but the South West has also seen some of the country's worst weather disasters like the Boscastle and Lynmouth floods and the Fastnet Race tragedy.

South West people are keen weather watchers. The farming, fishing and tourist economies depend upon it. But which part of the nation's favourite holiday destination gets the best weather of all? Show less