Corners of Cornwall 2023

Arrive in London this morning and make your way in to the heart of the English Capital. After checking in to your hotel, your afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure either relaxing after your arrival journey or perhaps getting out to explore the city. London is magnificent metropolis which combines a vibrant modern culture with a rich history and heritage. You may choose to visit a wealth of world renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye on the banks of the River Thames. By evening, return to the tour hotel where we'll gather as a group with your tour leader and get to know one another over a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Wellington by Blue Orchid (or similar), London

Meals: Dinner included.

Departing London, we set off on our adventure to England's eclectic west country. Firstly, we travel to the tiny market town of Wells, really no larger than a small town, Wells has city status owing to its elegant cathedral and Bishop's Palace. Explore Vicar's close (the oldest continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe) or the local shops and tea rooms before we continue to Dartmoor National Park. As the landscape changes we meander through beautiful country lanes, over ancient stone bridges and through dramatic rolling countryside where wild ponies roam. Tonight we stay in the heart of the arresting Dartmoor National Park where we will enjoy a welcome dinner together.

Overnight: Two Bridges Hotel (or similar), Dartmoor

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Continuing through the county of Devon to the Cornish Peninsula, we make our way to the rugged cliffs and bays of the north coast of Cornwall. Here we visit the picturesque fishing village of Port Isaac; better known as Port Wen the town famously featured in the television series Doc Martin and you'll enjoy time to explore the familiar sights of the town. Next, we'll venture to Padstow for some time at leisure. Perhaps have a stroll around the scenic harbour town, grab typical Cornish lunch or simply admire the views, before we make our way to seaside town Falmouth, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: The Greenbank Hotel (or similar), Falmouth

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we make our way to the furthest corners of Cornwall. First stop will be Land’s End – England’s most westerly point. Then onwards we'll visit the delightful fishing town of St Ives where we can wander the cobbled streets and harbour of this traditional fishing town. Walk along the sweeping bay or discover art at one of only two Tate galleries outside of London. Later we head to the is the fascinating and historical site at St Michael's Mount. We’ll travel over the sea by boat or cross the causeway to the island from the bustling little Cornish town of Marazion to discover the medieval castle. Later, we return to Falmouth for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: The Greenbank Hotel (or similar), Falmouth

Meals: Breakfast included.

There’s a treat for the green-fingered today as we set off to explore Tregothnan Estate, a beautiful historic house and grounds, historic seat of the Boscawen family. A member of the gardening team will give us a private tour of the expansive grounds and the tea plantation, where we learn all about tea grown in England and have the opportunity to sample some of the home-grown produce (on selected dates Tregothnan House is closed in which case we'll visit Lower Lanner Farm, also located on the same estate). We then wind our way through the Cornish countryside passing through the Georgian town of Charlestown before arriving in St Austell, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: Carlyon Bay Hotel (or similar), Saint Austell

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today is a free day with no group plans allowing you to relax and discover the town of St Austell and it sweeping sandy bays at your leisure. St Austell is a charming Cornish town, bustling with life and an ideal spot to enjoy a traditional Cornish pasty. Nearby attractions include the magnificent Eden Project botanical gardens or the Wheal Martyn Clay Works detailing he china clay mining history of the town.

Overnight: Carlyon Bay Hotel (or similar), Saint Austell

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we'll meander along the South Cornwall Coast and through the country roads of Devon and Dorset. We'll pause in the county’s principal town of Lyme Regis, home to Jane Austen’s heroines from her classics such as the novel Persuasion. We'll then enjoy views of the Jurassic Coast and perhaps pause at one of the many bays to hunt for fossils before making our way to the cathedral city of Salisbury, for a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: Milford Hall Hotel (or similar), Salisbury

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning we take time to admire one of England's finest cathedral cities; we'll wander the cobbled streets to the cathedral itself which boasts England's tallest spire, Europe's oldest working clock and is also home to an original copy of the Magna Carta. After exploring this traditional market town we return East to the metropolis of London, a world away from the sedate Cornish coasts, where our tour comes to an end.

Meals: Breakfast included.