Olympic Torch Relay in South West England

The Olympic Torch Relay was an opportunity for people in South West England to connect with the Olympic Games, its values and its spirit. More than a million people welcomed the Olympic Flame and cheered on the inspiring Torchbearers along the route each day.

Being part of the Olympic Torch Relay for the South West was first and foremost about bringing communities together and celebrating the world’s largest sporting event coming to the UK.

However, the region was fortunate in that not only did the Olympic Flame arrive on to UK soil in the South West – at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall, on 18 May 2012 – but the Olympic Torch Relay also started its 70 day UK-wide journey from Cornwall – at Land’s End on the morning of 19 May 2012.  This placed the South West in the spotlight for arguably the two most watched elements of the Relay, apart from the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony.  It is estimated that over 1 billion people watched the start of the Relay, which presented an opportunity to showcase the region to a global audience. 

Click here to find out where the Olympic Flame was carried in your area, as well as the locations of evening celebrations.

Find out more about some of the inspirational Torchbearers from our region

For more images of the Olympic Torch Relay in the South West, visit our gallery