Details
Day One – Arrive and Set Off Along the North Devon Coast
There are several easy options for accessing North Devon, and we’ll be happy to tailor-make the perfect solution for you. Once on the road, you’ll soon be skirting the Quantock Hills and Somerset coast – perhaps taking in a coastal village or vast beach along the way – as the road twists and pitches towards your first base in the classic North Devon town of Lynton.
Your accommodation in Lynton
Perched atop just about the highest point for miles around, your base for the first couple of days of your holiday is an award-winning guest house of the utmost quality. Subject to a recent top-to-bottom refurbishment by the friendly and welcoming hosts, every corner of this imposing Victorian property has been restored, replaced or remodelled, with much of its originality and character skilfully retained throughout. Spacious, high-spec bedrooms, many with quite staggering views across Lynmouth Bay, couple with modern, user-friendly bathrooms to make your stay as relaxing as possible, while the honesty bar and inviting guest lounge make fine spots at which to plan evenings out. Breakfast is served in the front-facing, period-built conservatory, affording further opportunity to enjoy what may well be one of Devon’s finest vistas.
About Lynton and Lynmouth
Separated by a 450-foot cliff, the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth offer an ideal getaway whatever you wish from your holiday. Ride the famous cliff railway, the highest and steepest water-powered railway in the world; pack a picnic and spend the day exploring nearby Valley of Rocks and Glen Lyn Gorge; take tea in the garden at Watersmeet before setting off on a woodland or seaside stroll; or lose yourself in the captivating landscape of Exmoor.
Day Two – A Private Guided Walk on Exmoor
Enjoy a fine breakfast in the conservatory this morning before setting off for the short drive to the heart of Exmoor National Park. Here, you’ll be met by a friendly and knowledgeable local guide, ready to take you on a fun and informative walking tour of this most dramatic landscape, tailor-made to your exact requirements according to ability, interests and any specific requests you may have. Wildlife, geology, history and local legend combine to make this a terrific day out. At tour’s end, enjoy a picnic prepared by your guide of produce from their own smallholding, the very tastiest of lunches!
Day Three – Off to Cornwall
You have a choice of routes as you make your way south into Cornwall; via the western side of Exmoor and through a number of evocative villages, or via our preferred course along the north Devon coast. You’ll drive past the beautiful beaches of the Combes and through the postcard-perfect village of Croyde, perhaps taking a detour to visit cliff-side Clovelly (not for the faint-hearted!) before dropping further south in to north Cornwall.
Your accommodation in North Cornwall
In a serene and verdant rural setting, your accommodation in North Cornwall exudes comfort, relaxation and peace, inside and out. Hosted by the friendliest of couples, tea and cake served in the modern farmhouse kitchen upon arrival makes the perfect welcome. Decorated in neutral tones throughout, on the ground floor you’ll find a large, cosy guest lounge, whose sofas are simply begging to be lolloped upon, perhaps with the log-burning fire crackling under the mantelpiece on cooler days. Upstairs, each of the four spacious bedrooms contain every feature you’ll need to make your stay stress-free, including large, modern bathrooms. Outdoors, guests are welcome to roam the beautifully tended garden, backing on to lush farmland as far as the eye can see.
Despite the secluded setting, the house is within minutes’ drive of some of Cornwall’s must-see spots, both on the coast and further inland, and with three nights here you have plenty of time to allow this captivating area to seep in to the soul.
About North Cornwall
From the rural idyll of your accommodation, a mere 15-minute drive will take you to both Tintagel with its wonderful clifftop castle, and the chocolate-box village of Boscastle. A little further down the coast will see you at Padstow and Rock, must-sees on any trip to Cornwall – not forgetting, of course, the wild and unique landscape of Dartmoor.
Day Six – Southwards to Penzance via the Lizard
Today it’s time to make your way south – indeed, as far south as it’s possible to travel on mainland U.K. Our favourite route is to drive an hour or so to the wonderfully picturesque fishing port of Mevagissey to wander its tiny, twisting streets. Later, head around the Carrick Roads estuary dropping to the Lizard Heritage Coast and to Lizard itself, whose lighthouse represents the southernmost point of the mainland before arriving in Penzance.
Your accommodation in Penzance
Set on a hill overlooking the town, your accommodation in Penzance is a Georgian townhouse, built in 1790 to the most exacting standards of the day. Home to several notable figures over the centuries, today the house has been restored and upgraded to a quite extraordinary level, providing lavish accommodation over six rooms, coupled with the finest service from the amenable owner and her small team. Climb the elegant, white-painted staircase, admiring the striking art and original stained glass along the way, to your room with views across the rooftops to St Michael’s Mount. Feature beds and extravagant bathrooms have been skilfully and sympathetically installed in to the original fabric of the structure, along with a beautifully curated selection of mid-century furniture, chosen personally by the owner. Downstairs, the dining room sits off the quite fabulous kitchen, leading out to the secluded terrace and garden – a rarity in this urban setting.
About South Cornwall
Penzance is the perfect place from which to explore this fascinating location. Stroll along the harbour-side all the way to evocative St Michael’s Mount. A little further afield, enjoy an outdoor show at the unique Menack Theatre and find your way towards Lands End, where you’re sure to wish to record your visit, while just 15 minutes away by car will find you near lively and lovely St Ives, easily reached by one-minute train-ride from Carbis Bay (driving in St Ives can be something of a challenge!)
Day 8 – Onward Journey Home
Unfortunately today your exploration of this most spectacular part of England comes to a close as you begin your journey home.
