Road to Cornwall

Commencing your trip in London or at a London Airport begin your journey in to England’s West Country. First stop is the beautiful Regency city of Bath; this Cotswold spa town oozes Georgian opulence and is home to so many sites of historic importance that the entire city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit a wealth of architectural highlights including neo-classical Pulteney Bridge and the elegant Royal Crescent. Visit quality museums and exhibitions such as the Jane Austen centre or the period house exhibition at No1. Royal Crescent before making your way to the Elizabethan Abbey and the city’s highlight at the spectacular Roman Baths and Pump Room which date back to the 1st century AD.

Overnight: Bath

Journey details: 100 miles / 2hrs approx (when starting in Heathrow) *

Today begin your scenic journey to coastal county of Cornwall; departing Bath pass firstly through Somerset’s Mendip Hills where you can stop at Wells. This quaint and historic village is home to Europe’s oldest residential street, cobbled markets square and holds city- status owing to its impressive Cathedral and Bishops Palace. A short onward drive brings you to Glastonbury, spiritual home of England; here you can visit Glastonbury Abbey or climb Glastonbury Tor both of which have connections with Arthurian myth. By afternoon continue in to Devon as you pass through the eerie and remote landscapes of Dartmoor home of the Hound of the Baskervilles before arriving in Cornwall and your base for two nights.

Overnight: Falmouth, Cornwall

Meals: Breakfast included.

Journey details: 185 miles / 4hrs approx (when travelling via Wells and Glastonbury) *

Dedicate today to exploring the coasts of Southern Cornwall. Head firstly for the tiny village of St Ives, home to one of only two Tate Galleries outside of London this cobbled harbour-town has become a retreat for artists and poets owing to its beauty. You may choose to visit the most southerly point of England at Land’s End before seeing the stunning open-air Minack Theatre carved in the cliff-face at Porthcurno. Stop in quaint Cornish fishing villages of Penzance or Mousehole to sample the freshest of fish & chips, a great English institution before making a final stop at Marazion where you can venture across the tidal causeway to the island of St Michael’s Mount home to a medieval castle and celtic monastry.

Overnight: Falmouth, Cornwall

Meals: Breakfast included.

Journey details: 85 miles / 2hrs 45mins approx (round-trip) *

You may choose to begin the day in Falmouth itself visiting the harbour, one of town’s picturesque bays or by exploring the Tudor Fortress of Pendennis Castle. Then set off on a journey along Cornwall’s Northern coast to uncover its many treasures. First stop may be the sweeping sands of Newquay or Parranporth, popular surfer hangouts, before heading for the Port Isaac; you may recognise this quintessential Cornish fishing town as Port Wen from the popular TV show Doc Martin. A short drive North brings you to Tintagel whose coastal castle ruin holds connections to King Arthur; does Merlin’s cave lie beneath the craggy cliff-tops? Finally, return in land and cross the border back in to Devon to your overnight stay near to Dartmoor.

Overnight: Dartmoor or Exeter, Devon

Meals: Breakfast included.

Journey details: 120 miles / 3hrs 20mins approx *

Spend today exploring the beautiful west country county of Devon. To the West you can visit the naval town of Plymouth with connections to Elizabethan seafarer, Sir Francis Drake. A stroll from the Royal Citadel around Plymouth Sound will take you to the Mayflower steps where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the "New World". In the heart of Devon you may choose to ride the Devon Steam Railway along the scenic Dart Valley or visit the working Benedictine Monastery at Buckfast Abbey. In East Devon you can tour the “English Riviera” and visit a host of charming Victorian seaside resorts such as Paignton, Torquay and Dawlish each home to quintessential painted beach huts, seafront promenades and grandiose piers.

Overnight: Dartmoor or Exeter, Devon

Meals: Breakfast included.

Journey details: 70 miles / 2hrs approx (round-trip) *

Returning East cross the county border in to Dorset; here you can stop in Dorchester to see the town that inspired the works of Thomas Hardy including Tess of the D’urbervilles and perhaps visit Hardy’s Cottage itself. Perhaps stop in Weymouth to see King Henry VIII’s coastal fortress of Portland Castle before following the "Jurassic Coast", so-called for its abundance of prehistoric fossils, to the famous Durdle Door, a natural rock arch reaching in to the English Channel. Heading in land, make your way to Salisbury to explore this historic city and visit Salisbury Cathedral which not only boasts Britain’s tallest cathedral spire but is also home to Europe’s oldest working clock and an original copy of the Magna Carta.

Overnight: Salisbury

Meals: Breakfast included.

Journey details: 135 miles / 3hrs 15mins approx *

Departing Salisbury, head for the pre-historic site at Stonehenge; dating back over 5000 years the standing monoliths of this iconic English attraction remain shrouded in mystery. From here return East towards London, you may choose to visit charming cathedral city of Winchester closely linked with Jane Austen and her works as is nearby Chawton, her former home. Your final stop of the day will be in Windsor where you can explore this beautiful and historic town home to cobbled squares, timber fronted houses, and the world’s largest inhabited castle at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s favoured residence. By evening return your car at London Heathrow Airport (or Gatwick Airport).

Meals: Breakfast included.

Journey details: 100 miles / 2hrs 20mins approx *