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Holidays southwest England.

Regions Southwest England : Cornwall, West Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire & Cotswold, Somerset, Wiltshire

Isles of Scily

Towns & Cities Southwest England : Bath, Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Torquay

Capital City Southwest England : Exeter.


car hire, cruises, holiday homes, hostels, hotels, travel agencies, travel guides, transportation / travelling to the southwest of england

links


Camping & Caravanning Southwest England

 Eurocampings  -  ACSI Camping Guide

Car Hire Southwest England

 Holiday Autos  -   
Holiday Autos offers the best fully inclusive car hire prices. Get cheap car hire quickly and securely online with holidayautos.co.uk, the experts in online car rental.

More Car Rental Companies? See the car rental page

Cruises

 Destination Southwest
Destination Southwest is an alliance between 8 ports throughout the Southwest of England - Ilfracombe, Torbay, Dartmouth, Plymouth, Fowey, Falmouth, Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.

Holiday Homes / Cottages / Apartments

    -  leading UK provider of self-catered holidays
Availability search [ refining by specifying price, pet, pub nearby, open fire, swimming pool and more possible ], special offers and brochure request.
North Cornwall | South Cornwall | Mid Cornwall | East Devon | Dartmoor and West Devon | North Devon | South Devon | Devonshire Heartland | Dorset | Somerset

  -  Holiday Lodges and Holiday Parks Britain
A short break, or weekend, at one of our holiday parks gives you a real getaway, whatever the season. You'll find well-equipped and cosily heated bungalows, lodges, chalets, apartments and caravans in beautiful forest, countryside and coastal surroundings.

  Interhome  -  Holiday homes

 WestStar Holiday Parks  -  Mullion / Looe Bay / Sandford
Very special places in Cornwall & Dorset

Helpful Holidays -  holiday homes in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset

See for more the page Holiday Homes

Hotels Southwest of England

 Hotels in Southwest England  -  Hotel Guide Southwest England

 [ Hotels.com ]

 [ Hotels.com ]

 [ Hotels.com ]

 

Hostels / Youth Hostel / B&B

 
Hostelbookers.com is one of the worlds largest online booking services for hostels. All hostels you see here are offering realtime prices and availability.

 Devon Farms 
Self Catering and B&B Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Devon - UK
Also self catering holiday cottages.
 Youth Hostels England

National Parks

 Exmoor National Park  -  see also Visit Exmoor
From Exmoor National Park to the Quantock Hills is an area of varied and inspiring landscapes, nestling in West Somerset and North Devon. Enjoy the peaceful, open spaces, clean air, heather-clad moors, ancient forests, deep valleys, sparkling rivers, dramatic coastline, pretty villages and towns and a friendly welcome. The unique and rare breed of Exmoor pony and large herds of red deer freely roam the area. Look up and you will invariably see buzzards soaring overhead. In the evening you can stalk deer, watch bats or seek out badgers at sunset.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators

 Evan Evens Tours  -  Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Georgian Bath

Helpful Holidays 
Destinations : North Cornwall, South Cornwall, The Lizard, End of England, Dartmoor, South Devon, Mid Devon, Exmoor, East Devon, North Devon, Somerset, Dorset, New Forest, Bath & the Cotswolds.

Superbreak
Superbreak offer leisure hotel breaks and features 2-5 star hotels, with the majority in the 3-4 star+ rating.

 
Widest choice of self-catering holidays / short breaks throughout Britain, Ireland and Europe
A self-catering holiday in one of Hoseasons' holiday lodges and parks brings a new meaning to the word freedom. From the moment you arrive you can revel in the limitless possibilities offered at every resort centre.
And with late availability and last minute booking facilities, you'll soon be experiencing the holiday of your dreams. Enjoy a weekend or short break in beautiful countryside, at some of Europe's finest beaches or forest surroundings.

  -  Create your perfect trip  -  Flight, Hotel and Car



 Bath & West Country Walks
Bath & West Country Walks is an experienced company based in the South West of England in the United Kingdom who will organise your walking holiday to meet your needs. Whether you are considering a walking holiday for the first time or a keen walker looking to discover a new part of the English countryside, we offer a variety of guided and self-guided walks to suit everyone. Each package will enable you to become in contact with nature, wildlife and the local heritage.
 Ghost Walks of Bath 
Experience the highly acclaimed tour on foot as you walk through the ancient and mystical streets of the Roman City of Bath. Our experienced guides have been thrilling visitors to Bath since 1974 with the real-life stories of macabre goings-on, hauntings and the tragic events of yester-year.
 Lizard Peninsula
 Mad Max Tours
Avebury - Stone Circles | Castle Combe - A taste of the Cotswolds | Lacock - National Trust Village | The Cotswold Discovery Tour - A twice-weekly full-day tour visiting Stow-on the Wold, Badminton, Bibury and Tetbury
 Tellings Golden Miller  -  coach tours and excursions
Day excursions, short breaks & holidays. English seaside resorts, special events, christmas markets, Father Christmas and London Christmas Lights, island adventures, London theatre trips etc. TGM Travel Club [after joining 5% discount!].
 Westcountry Breaks 
Hotels | Self-catering | Pubs and Inns | Where to eat | Activities | Attractions | Letting Agencies

Travel Guides Southwest England / Related books

Travel Guides Southwest England [ Amazon.co.uk ]

"Time Out" South West England 
The three most southwesterly counties of England - Somerset, Devon and Cornwall - incorporate some of the most varied landscape in the country. Along the 600 miles of coastline are long sandy beaches, rocky coves and gentle bays, while inland there's quintessential English countryside to explore, not to mention the rugged, dramatic scenery of Exmoor and Dartmoor and some picturesque villages. This region also encompasses Bristol's vibrant music/nightlife scene, Bath's exquisite architecture and the best of Britain's summer festivals. This guide moves beyond cliche to draw out the best of the region.
Paperback 336 pages (April 24, 2003); Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; Language: English; ISBN: 0141011769
Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset Visitors' Atlas 
This full colour atlas combines 32 pages of mapping with an illustrated town plan section to provide an informative guide to Devon, Cornwall and west Somerset. The coverage of the atlas extends over an area to include Ilfracombe, Lynton, Minehead, Weston-Super-Mare, Langport, Broadwindsor, Charmouth, Exmouth, Torquay, Salcombe, Plymouth, St Austell, Falmouth, Lizard, Penzance, St. Just, St. Ives, Newquay, Padstow, Boscastle, Bude and Barnstaple. Also included is an inset map covering Lundy. Further information relating to the places of interest featured on the mapping can be found in the town guide section which includes 24 town plans each with its own descriptive text, tourist information and listing of leisure attractions. Additional text relating to Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Isles of Scilly is also included. There is an index to cities, towns, villages, hamlets and locations with a separate index for selected places of interest and other features.
Paperback 32 pages (April 23, 2003); Publisher: Geographers' A-Z Map Co Ltd; Language: English; ISBN: 1843481146
Bath: More Than a Guide (Jarrold City-break Guides) 
Paperback 104 pages (January 1, 2004); Publisher: Jarrold Publishing; Language: English; ISBN: 0711726450
Itchy Insider's Guide to Bristol 
This guide to Bristol's best pubs, clubs, shops, bars, restaurants and cultural hangouts features entertaining, incisive reviews, photos, information and maps - and is totally rewritten for 2005.
Paperback 96 pages (December 15, 2004); Publisher: Itchy Media; Language: English; ISBN: 1903753678
Coast - by Christopher Somerville
Accompanying the BBC series, Coast is not only a superbly illustrated celebration of Britain s coastal areas but a practical guide to all that they have to offer. The first part of the book is divided into the 12 coastal regions as featured in the programme, with lavish photography, maps and evocative essays. The second part is a region-by-region reference of places, people, activities, natural history, historic events and fascinating facts all clearly laid out to help you plan your own trip. Whether destined for the coffee table, your reference library or the car, Coast takes you there with charm and style.
Paperback 192 pages (July 8, 2005); Publisher: BBC Books

Transport / How do I travel to Southwest England

 Bristol Airport  -  Bristol International Airport 
 Exeter Airport  -  Home of Flybe
 Newquay Airport 

  Opodo  -   
Flight tickets southwest England, Flight tickets Bristol.

 

Air Southwest 
Air Southwest is the low-fares airline for the South West of England. Fast and frequent flights to and from Plymouth, Newquay and Bristol airports to destinations in the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland. With fares starting from £27, coupled with convenient frequent flight timings and great customer service, Air southwest provides a service which is perfect for the business and leisure traveller alike.

 
Book cheap flights to Southwest England at ebookers and benefit from discounted airfares. View their latest offers and book your flights, accommodation, car hire and insurance online

  Airline Tickets / Bargain Flights  -  Flights to Southwest England

 
thetrainline is the fully impartial rail ticketing website owned by the Virgin Group, Virgin Rail Group and National Express Group, providing the cheaper way to buy train tickets online. thetrainline provides fast, easy and secure access to timetables, tickets and fares for all National Rail journeys across the UK.

  -  Coach Line to Southwest England
You name it, they go there. National Express carries over 16 million passengers a year to 1000 different places in the UK, and thousands of others to destinations across Europe and Ireland. They run more services to and from UK airports than anyone else, and they even lay on special services to festivals like Glastonbury!

 Stagecoach in Devon

 Maps International  -  Maps of Southwest England  
Mapsinternational.co.uk is one of the largest map shops online.
 Multimap.com 
Street-level maps, road maps; door-to-door travel directions; aerial photographs; and local information.


Links 

 Travel Insurance  -  online travel and holiday insurance for UK and Irish residents

 Visit Southwest of England
Accommodation, Essential Travel Information, Destinations to Visit, Attractions, Events, Holiday Inspiration,  Business Tourism etc.

 Exeter  -  Exeter City Council
Come and share in the magic of this colourful, cosmopolitan City, surrounded by countryside, just a few miles from the sea. Exeter is a confident, vigorous city and a hugely popular tourist and conference destination.
Discover 2000 years of history and heritage, shop in covered malls and cobbled alleyways, enjoy a year -round programme of events and activities and explore the nearby coast, countryside and national parks. Whether in search of a short break, a longer holiday or just a fun day out, Exeter is the perfect destination.

 Cornwall
North Cornwall | West Cornwall | Cornish Riviera | Newquay | The Isles of Scilly
 Devon
o Unique with two different coastlines - bare rugged cliffs, surf washed sands, white pebble beaches, stretches of golden sands, stunning resorts, hidden wooded estuaries and the Jurassic Coast - England's first natural World Heritage Site.
o Glorious countryside - green rolling hills, coloured patchwork fields, high-sided lanes, bustling market towns and villages, thatched white washed cottages and traditional Devon longhouses.
o Wild and wonderful moorland - Dartmoor, in the south, embraces wild landscapes and picture postcard villages. Exmoor, lies in the north and combines breathtaking rugged coastline with wild heather moorland.
o Rich in history and heritage - where you can step back in time and explore historic cities, or discover seafaring characters like Drake and Raleigh, the settings for novels by Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle, myths and legends.
 Dorset 
 Gloucestershire & The Cotswold 
 Isles of Scilly  -  County Cornwall
Scilly Islands a beautiful group of granitic islands belonging to England, at the entrance to the English Channel, about 30 miles. west. by south. of Land's End. There are only 5 inhabited , the remainder being mere rocks and islets. The climate is warm and moist, and large quantities of early vegetables and spring flowers are raised for the London market.
 Somerset
 Wiltshire 
The county of Wiltshire begins a short distance from the outskirts of Bristol. Pass through Bitton, where the Avon Valley Steam Railway offers a delightful nostalgic journey through the river valley. Travel on to Dyrham, with its 17th century mansion. The road to the east then passes through rolling countryside to the neolithic monument of Silbury Hill, some 4000 years old and whose purpose remains a mystery to this day.

 Avebury
With the largest henge monument in the UK measuring over 400 meters across.
 Bath
With thermal springs, world-renowned Roman Baths, a glorious Abbey, honey-coloured Georgian terraces and sweeping parklands; Bath is truly breathtaking. It is a place for pleasure...wander flower-filled streets straight out of Jane Austen, take tea in the Pump Room serenaded by a string quartet, relax on manicured riverside lawns - Bath will induce a deep sense of well-being.
But alongside its traditional charms, Bath offers a lively cafe culture, a dazzling arts scene and some of the most seductive shopping in the West.
Bath is the ideal base for some excellent walking and cycling, both in the city centre of Bath and in the glorious rolling countryside, which is neatly between the Cotswolds, the Mendips and the wide open plains of Wiltshire.
 Bristol -  Bristol City Council - Visit Bristol - Tourist Board Bristol
 Dartmoor, Devon
 Lacock - This is Lacock
One of England's most beautiful villages and the place where Fox Talbot laid the foundations of modern photography.
The village of Lacock ("lay-cock") lies at the southern edge of the Cotswolds, in the South West of England.
Originally a centre of the medieval wool trade and part of the estate of Lacock Abbey, the whole village is now owned by the National Trust.
Cruck House | Fox Talbot Museum of Photography | Lacock Abbey | Night & Day (Bewley Common) | Pack Horse Bridge | Porch House | St. Anne's Church (Bowden Hill) | St. Cyriac's Church (Lacock) | Tithe Barn | 10, Bowden Hill | Bewley Court
 Plymouth - Plymouth City Council - Visit Plymouth - Tourist Board
In Plymouth, whatever the season, you´ll never be lost for something great to do. As the regional capital of Devon and Cornwall, Plymouth is an extra-ordinary blend of vibrant modern city and historic seafaring port.
Visit world famous heritage sites like Plymouth Hoe and Mayflower steps. In the Barbican, you can enjoy centuries  of maritime tradition. Or you can take to the sea yourself with a choice of boat-trips, fishing, wind-surfing, scuba diving and water skiing.
Shop to your heart´s content in the Plymouth City Centre Shopping Boulevards. Or simply relax on the waterfront and enjoy the stunning views across the harbour. Whatever you enjoy, it´s yours to discover in Plymouth all year round.
 Torquay - The English Riviera

 Bath Spa , Bath  -  Spa with a 2000 year past
Bath's natural thermal waters again used for bathing and healing in a complex which combines restored historic buildings and a new day Spa.
 Bristel Zoo Gardens  -  Bristol Zoo Gardens maintains and defends biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural world.
Education, Events, Kis page and more
 Cheddar Caves & Gorge  -  Somerset
A major tourist attraction for over 200 years, with plenty to do above and below ground. Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you'll find many rare species.The Cathedral-like Caves and Britain's biggest Gorge are million-year-old Ice Age river beds. 
Your ancestors have lived here for 40,000 years, and world-famous Cheddar Man is Britain's oldest complete skeleton.
If you'd like to try our RockSport Adventure Activities, organise a School or Group visit, or just enjoy a quiet cream tea, use the menu to find out what we have for you !
 Classic gardens South Somerset 
Tucked away in the narrow lanes of the tranquil South Somerset countryside are 10 wonderful gardens. Here you can capture something of the essence of the Classic English Garden. Whether small or large, formal or informal, each garden is among the best of its type and each illustrates the deep-rooted passion which the English have for their gardens.
Enjoy this diverse collection of classic gardens set in the beautiful English countryside.
 Chew Valley  -  Chew Valley Internet Magazine 
The valleys and hills of North East Somerset are a wildlife-spotters' paradise. And it's hardly surprising that the tranquillity that attracts so much wildlife also offers a wonderfully peaceful setting for those wanting to get away from it all.
The Chew Valley is simply unbeatable for quiet country walks, bike rides, fishing, sailing, bird watching and relaxing. For anyone interested in heritage, Stanton Drew with its 3 early Bronze Age stone circles, and the Norman Church of Compton Martin are both well worth visiting.
Many farms and small guest houses have sprung up in the Valley offering accommodation in an idyllic setting
 Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall
To promote the understanding and responsible management of the vital relationship between plants, people and resources leading to a sustainable future for all.
 Exeter Cathedral, Devon
Web site provides information and pictures which will appeal to the curious browser of any age and to those seeking more detailed information about our beautiful, historic cathedral, its very active community and its continuous cycle of daily worship.
 Jurassic Coast 
From Orcombe Rocks, Exmouth, Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset the Jurassic Coast Natural World Heritage Site gives a unique insight into life in the past through the rocks exposed along the 95 miles of beautiful coastline. 185 million years of Earth History for you to explore. Walk along the coast and walk through time!
 Forest of Dean , Gloucestershire
The Royal Forest of Dean lies in the western part of Gloucestershire between the Rivers Wye and Severn and on the borders of Wales and Herefordshire. It is one of the most distinctive areas of Britain having a seductive charm and character that is uniquely its own. Its range of stunning landscapes and spectacular scenery has inspired artists, craftspeople, inventors, poets and playwrights, as well as the many visitors who return to the area year after year.
 Plymouth Dome
Experience Plymouth's historic past and discover the voyages and people who have set sail from Plymouth Sound and shaped the world. Brave the high seas with Drake, Cook and the Mayflower.
Walk through an Elizabethan Street. Witness the Luftwaffe's devastation of this great port during the World War II. Explore the stunning views of Plymouth Sound from the Dome's two observation galleries.
 Roman Baths, Bath  -  Best preserved Roman religious Spa from the ancient world
The Roman Baths is below the modern street level and has four main features, the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman bath house and finds from Roman Bath. The Georgian Pump Room is on the ground level.
 Stonehenge , Wiltshire  -  Megalithic site
 Vale of Severn & Cotswold Edge  -  Visit Cotswolds and Severn Vale
To the north and east of Bristol lie the Cotswold Hills and the countryside of South Gloucestershire. The A38 from Bristol city centre takes you to Thornbury, a traditional market town, and nearby Oldown Country Park's woodland walks, adventure trails and working farm.
To the North of Thornbury, experience the valley of the River Severn and its two breathtaking bridges, and spectacular views of the mountains of South Wales.
 Wells Cathedral, Somerset
Wells began as a holy place, taking its name from the sprong waht are now the Bishops' Palace Ground.
 Wookey Hole Caves -  Britain's most spectacular caves and home of the famous Witch
A cave tour matches breathtaking underground scenery, carved out by the mysterious River Axe, with a delightful mix of fact, legend and folklore, including the story of the famous witch. Dramatic lighting effects make it an even more exhilarating experience. Situated in the beautiful Somerset Mendip Hills.

Cuisine - Gastronomy

The staple foods of England are meat, fish, potatoes, flour, butter and eggs. Many of the English dishes are based on these foods.

Bacon Roly-Poly, Bangers and Mash, Black Pudding, Bubble & Squeak, Cornish Pasties, Cottage Pie, Fish & Chips, Gingerbread, Hot Cross Buns, Hot Pot, Kedgeree new, Ploughman's Lunch, Roast Beef, Roast Chicken, Roast lamb, Shepherd's Pie, Sponge Cake, Toad-in-the-Hole, Tom Collins, Trifle, Yorkshire Pudding

 West Country Restaurants 
Guide to eating out at quality restaurants and pubs.

 Traditional foods in England
The Good Food Guide 2005 - by Andrew Turvil (Editor)
The Good Food Guide continues to be the most reliable single source for the best of eating out in the UK. Its objectivity and independence have been well established for over 50 years, and its commitment to providing informative, well-written, fully researched reviews of around 1,300 of the best restaurants in the land remains undiminished. As for each new edition, the range it covers is wide, whether it is a Chinese restaurant in Liverpool, fish restaurant in Edinburgh, country-house hotel dining room in Wales, or latest opening by a high-profile chef in London. There are over 350 entries in London alone -- more than in many just-London' restaurant guides.
Paperback 784 pages (October 1, 2004)
English Food by Jane Grigson, Gillian Zeiner (Illustrator), Sophie Grigson
Paperback 400 pages; Penguin Books Ltd; ISBN: 0140273247
Favourite Pudding Recipes: Traditional Ways to a Man's Heart - Birkett Foster
Paperback 48 pages; Publisher: J Salmon; ISBN: 1898435685

History Southwest of England

 Camelot Village
In British legend, Camelot was the capital of the kingdom of King Arthur. Cadbury Castle in Somerset, an isolated Iron Age hill fort, is the site most often identified with Camelot. Archaeological evidence confirms that during the 6th century the fort was occupied by a powerful British warrior chieftain. However, local folklore advances alternative sites at Camelford in Cornwall and Winchester in Hampshire as the original Camelot
 Hardy Country - Thomas Hardy - Poet & Novelist 1840-1928
The Hardy Trail will take you around the places in the West Country where Thomas Hardy lived and wrote about.
 Classic Sights
Classic Sights is a group of top tourist attractions in the South West of England, working together to offer the assurance of quality and value for money, whenever and wherever you choose to visit - whether you're on a daytrip, on holiday, travelling as a group or looking for a unique conference venue.

 Pictures of England - Exploring the most Picturesque & Historic parts of England.
A unique website exploring the most beautiful towns, villages and countryside of England with countless photographs of the most beautiful and historically interesting places in England to visit.
 The smuggler's Trail
Visit the towns, villages, resorts, bays, coves and caves that tell the story of men who pit their wits and seamanship against the Commissioners of His/Her Majesty's Customs, the revenue men, pirates and privateers. The adult will find the history interesting and the child will be exited with the tales, caves, haunts  and locations. The trail covers the coast of the south west of England, UK commencing at Weston-super -Mare to the north (near Bristol), along the Bristol Channel coast line to Lands End and then along the south coast line to Poole. You will travel through Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.
 English Heritage
 National Trust

Music, Art & Culture, Events & Entertainment

 English folk and traditional music
Guide to Internet resources relating to English folk music
 Traditional music & Folk related links - by area

 Bristol Balloon Fiesta - held during August in Bristol
Teams from all over the UK and other parts of the world bring their hot air balloons to the site and participate in mass ascents where as many as 100 balloons may launch at a time.

Web Portals / Search Engines / Directory

 Devon Holiday Directory
Links to devon holiday sites including accommodation (self catering, B&B and hotels), attractions, pub and restaurants, activities such as golf, riding and surfing, along with town and village information.
Devon ( north, south, east, west, mid ) | Exmoor | Dartmoor | Exeter | Plymouth | Torquay
 Mandarin Productions  -  Bird Song from a Dorset Wood & Heathland Garden
Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Mandarin Duck, Mallard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, European Nightjar, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Common Nightingale, Whinchat, Stonechat, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Dartford Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer.
Mandarin Productions is a small company specializing in bird song CD's.

 This is Plymouth  -  news, entertainment, etc.

 The Castles of England  -  Information Castles
 UK Bus Journey Planner

Boating Holidays

  -  Find your perfect UK Boating Holiday
From the moment you set off on your boating holiday in your self-drive hire cruiser or traditional narrowboat, onto Britain's vast network of canals, rivers and inland waterways, you're at the helm in more ways than one. That's because you have the freedom to decide where to go, where to stop and what to visit.
In the Heart of England you can drift through the vales whose beauty has inspired some of Britain's most distinguished poets, authors and musicians. You can travel the same waters that Shakespeare fished, enjoy a meal at a heavily beamed waterside inn or, journeying to the West Country, see the Roman splendours and Georgian elegance of Bath, or absorb the maritime heritage of Bristol, once the keystone of the UK's mercantile power.

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