An 8-day tour discovering the myth and
mystery of the West Country . Explore Arthurian legend, the Devonshire
moors and the stunning Cornish coastline , quaint fishing villages,
grand Victorian seaside resorts and the homes of jam and Scones and
fish and chips. Also on the itinerary are the mysterious Stonehenge,
Tintagel, Bath’s Roman Baths, Wells Cathedral and the very tip of
England: Lands End.
The Tour
Day 1 - Land of Wessex, Salisbury and Stonehenge
Head straight out in the old
English countryside where magic and myths await. Begin your tour with a
stop in the ancient city of Winchester , once England’s
Capital and the centre point
for the ancient land of Wessex, could Winchester also be the fabled city of Camelot? On to Salisbury to explore the city’s cathedral, cobbled streets and market
square before heading out on to the eerie Salisbury Plains where you
will find the iconic standing stones of Stonehenge , surrounded by myths and legend.
Overnight Salisbury.
Day 2 - Dorset, East Devon and Exeter
Today explore Dorset one of Britain’s
most rural counties, stopping in the fising village of Lyme Regis or market town of
Dorchester where Thomas Hardy spent much of his life. Continue in to East Devon passing through coastal towns
of Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth with their contrasting beaches of pebbles and cliffs, and sandy dunes. Finally arrive in Exeter , the West Country's most charming city with ties to Elizabethan seafarers such as Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Rich in roman and medieval architecture, explore Exeter's 600yr old Cathedral, medieval underground
passages and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.
Overnight Exeter.
Day 3 - Dartmoor and the Devonshire Coast
On
day three spend the morning exploring the eerie moors of Dartmoor, inspiration for the "Hound of the Baskervilles" and surrounded in myths of giant cats magic wells and deadly mires. Visit Oakehampton Castle before heading coastwards to Dartmouth Castle and then along the coast for a traditional British seaside experience. Visit one of the impressive
Victorian resorts which dot the coastline, you’ll find
lengthy promenades, open sandy beaches and grand piers reaching out
in to the sea rows of tiny beach huts.
Overnight Exeter.
Day 4 - King Arthur's Tintagel and the Cornish Coast
Cross the
county border in to Cornwall to visit the tiny village of Tintagel
steeped in Arthurian legend. Explore the castle ruins, said to be that of King Arthur himself and catch a glimpse of Merlin’s cave. Continue south
along the stunning unspoilt coastline to the fishing village of Padstow to explore a labyrinth of cobbled streets or Newquay to watch the surfers in the bay. Cut across the peninsula to St
Austell where you’ll find the world renowned Eden Project a giant
botanical gardens and visitor centre built in to the former tin mines
of east Cornwall. Return to the harbour town of Falmouth for
supper the perfect place to sample traditional British fresh fish and
chips!
Overnight Falmouth.
Day 5 - Pirates, Penzance and Land's End
Journey along the south Cornish coast, a place of old
smugglers coves, charming fishing villages and unspoilt coastline.
Explore tales of pirates as you visit Penzance and Land’s End , the most
westerly tip of Britain with its dramatic coastline and towering lighthouses. Wander out to St Michael’s Mount
to the Celtic monastery before continuing around the peninsula to the
coastal village of St Ives a magnate
for artists and home to one of the few Tate Art galleries outside of
London. Be sure to watch the sunset in the west melting in to the ocean
before bed.
Overnight Falmouth.
Day 6 - Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey
Today cross back through Devon and in to "Cider County"
Somerset to Cheddar Gorge a
winding chasm through the Mendip Hills and home of cheddar cheese. Make a stop in Glastonbury where the spectacular ruins of the Abbey are the final resting place for King Arthur and Guinivere. Nearby Glastonbury Tor (or Isle of Avalon) is reputedly where you may find the Holy Grail itself. Make a stop at
the charming market town of Wells , to amble around its medieval
Cathedral and moated Bishops Palace before making your way through sleepy villages of thatch cottages to Bath.
Overnight Bath.
Day 7 - Bath, Avebury and Windsor
Explore Bath 's Regency architecture, the Roman baths and Abbey before heading out in to the cotswold countryside. See the famous giant
White Horse etched in the hillside between Chippenham and Calne before
stopping off in Avebury where you can view the lesser known but
impressive stone circle. Here you are free to walk amongst the rocks
and actually reach out and touch them. Finally arrive in Windsor and view the Queen's preferred residence at Windsor Castle before bed.
Overnight Windsor or Staines near Heathrow
Day 8 - Return Home
Return to the US with many a tale to tell from the haunting west country of England.
Optional Extras
- Purchase
a Great British Heritage Pass offering entry and queue-skip to the
following sites on your itinerary: Stonehenge, Hardy’s Cottage, St
Michael’s Mount, Tintagel Castle, Tintagel’s Old Post Office and Baths
Roman Baths, amongst other attractions.
Customize Your Tour
- Return
the car and enjoy an extended city break with a stay in London to take
in the sights of the Capital following your drive tour.
- Extend your tour to include a night in the Cotswolds in after visiting Bath.
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