Slowly Discovering Somerset, Devon & Cornwall

From wherever is your starting point, we’ll create a bespoke route to get you to your first base via the most interesting route. You’re headed for the village of Wedmore, near the foothills of the Mendips, within a stone’s throw of historic Wells and the awe-inspiring geology of Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole.

Your Accommodation in Wedmore

An archetypal English village pub is where you lay your head for the first two nights of your holiday. There’s a pleasingly rustic informality to proceedings downstairs, with scrubbed wooden floors and whitewashed walls in the popular bar and restaurant. The menu takes its inspiration from River Cottage, changing regularly and making use of the very best local ingredients. Upstairs, each of the seven en-suite rooms is presented with a comforting simplicity, the quality of each element – beds, bedding, soft furnishings and bathrooms – combining to create a soothing place to stay.

Make your way south after breakfast, taking your time as you head through Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve and Avalon Marshes in the shadow of Glastonbury Tor, towards one of Somerset’s best family-owned cider farms. This sprawling, impressive working farm features a distillery, a cider house with 170-year-old vats, barrels and presses and a gorgeous orchard. Take a private tour with a member of this most friendly of families and a leisurely picnic lunch prepared just for you, taken in the orchard.

It’s under two hours as the crow flies today, giving you plenty of time to dawdle. Head west to the coast and get off the main route, taking the twisting coastal roads around Bridgwater Bay, through historic Dunster with its hilltop castle and into wild Exmoor on your way to Lynton in north Devon. Linked to its twin Lynmouth by the world’s only water-powered cliff railway, clifftop Lynton is a great place in which to base yourself for exploring Exmoor and wider north Devon.

Your Accommodation in Lynton

Close to the centre of town, your accommodation in Lynton is a lovely family-owned guest house created from a traditional 19th-century ‘gentleman’s residence’. In summer, the garden is bursting with colour and scent, leading to the sturdy front door. Inside, there’s a distinct calmness to the atmosphere, the traditionally presented rooms complete with all you need for a relaxing stay.

Leave the car behind this morning if you prefer – your accommodation features private parking – don the walking boots and head towards the dramatic Valley of Rocks on the Southwest Coastal Path. Here, you’ll meet a wonderful local guide and head off on a private guided walking tour in this expansive and ancient landscape. Along the way you’ll stop for cream tea or pub lunch, whichever is your preference.

In the afternoon, return to Lynton and get to know this beguiling Devon village.

Another day, if you choose, to forget about driving and explore the tiny, winding streets of Lynton and its clifftop walkways. Descend to Lynmouth for its harbour and beach, ascending back to Lynton by cliff railway. Should you choose to explore further afield, there’s plenty to see within easy striking distance, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make the most of your time.

A rolling coast-to-coast route today, as you head south away from Lynton towards Okehampton and deep into mystical Dartmoor. Cross this vast moorland, perhaps stopping at a remote pub for lunch, emerge at Ivybridge and continue into the South Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, towards your next base at Hope Cove near Bolt Tail headland.

Your Accommodation at Hope Cove

Something a little different for your next two nights here on the south Devon coast. This family-owned gem clinging to a hillside is endlessly appealing, with a sun-kissed terrace overlooking the craggy coastline – a perfect place to take a simple lunch or dinner from the in-house restaurant – and just nine disarmingly simple bedrooms, each with a fully equipped en-suite.

You don’t have to go any further than a few short steps from your accommodation’s front door to find yourself amidst quite staggering scenery. Again, you’re right on the Southwest Coastal Path; follow it around Bolt Head to Palmers Point Lookout, onwards to National Trust Bolberry Down and secluded Soar Mill Cove. A little further afield, the lively town of Salcombe offers superb seafood dining, quirky galleries and shopping.

A fine day on the road today as you head west away from Hope Cove towards the UK’s ‘maritime capital city’ of Plymouth. The Box museum here is a diverting place easily worth an hour or two of your time. Continue west along the coast towards Looe and the Polperro Heritage Coast on your way to the place many believe to be Cornwall’s prettiest fishing village, Mevagissey.

Your Accommodation in Mevagissey

In a fine position just outside the village, enjoying fabulous views of sweeping Mevagissey Bay and Black Head, your accommodation in Mevagissey is a cheerful, family-owned hotel, all gleaming whites and bright sky-blues. There’s a charming simplicity to all aspects here, the friendly owners focused on making guests feel as welcome and comfortable as possible.

The centre of the village and the harbour are just a few minutes’ walk away.

This morning we recommend you take a stroll to the harbour and board the vessel of a local skipper for a one-hour cruise on the (usually) calm waters of Mevagissey. With tickets available upon boarding, the repurposed fishing boat gives an authentic flavour of Cornish fishing and you’ll hear stories of the history of the village and life here stretching back many centuries. You may even be lucky enough to spot playful dolphins alongside the craft.

Another day to seriously consider doing very little at all if you wish. Lounge on the terrace at your hotel with coffee or something stronger, stroll to the village for a just-caught seafood lunch, a visit to one of its authentic Cornish pubs or to pick up a souvenir or two. Should you fancy exploring further afield, the incredible Eden Project is within 25 minutes’ drive and is a fascinating place to spend the day.

You could easily elect to take the shorter, direct route to Penzance, but where’s the fun in that? Head away from Mevagissey travelling southwest, taking in the Roseland Peninsula with the village of St Mawes, the evocative Lizard Heritage Coast and perhaps wonderful Rinsey Head as you snake your way to Penzance.

Your Accommodation in Penzance

High on a hill overlooking the town’s working harbour, your accommodation in Penzance is a deeply impressive place, a sympathetically restored and modernised Georgian townhouse, filled with art, antiques and mid-century modern furniture. Your host couldn’t be more welcoming and revels in providing a hearty ‘kitchen supper’ on selected evenings. Rooms are each individually shaped and styled, with delightful hidden tech and heart stopping views.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the basement kitchen – perhaps a starter of homemade granola and fruit, followed by a fish special – before meeting your local guide for a private walking tour of this most enchanting town. Rich in history of smuggling, with winding 18th-century streets as well as a tropical garden and lively contemporary art scene, your guide will bring the story of Penzance to life.

Later, perhaps continue around the promenade to visit staggering St Michael’s Mount, the unique and magical offshore jewel.

Stay put or head out? The choice is yours. There’s a wealth of fascinating detail within easy reach of Penzance; the picturesque village of Mousehole, incredible cliffside Minack Theatre and, of course, Land’s End. Carry on towards St Ives for its own Tate Gallery and fabulous beaches, before making your way back to Penzance in time for dinner.

Having travelled as far south as possible, today you begin the journey north. As ever, there’s no hurry, as you perhaps round the southwestern tip of the country and take to the slow routes through National Trust Godrevy, the village of Portreath, St Agnes Heritage Coast and the incredible surfers’ beach at Perranporth. Stop for lunch before rounding the lively town of Newquay and heading just inland towards your final base near the tranquil village of Camelford.

Your Accommodation by Camelford

The most peaceful place to round off a Slowly holiday, your accommodation by Camelford is a repurposed farmhouse set in a lush rural location. After a long day’s journey, relax on the private patio with a cold one, the sound of birdsong floating above, the scent of blossoms everywhere. Rooms are as comfortable as they come, enhanced by the near-silent setting outside. Despite this away-from-it-all location, the stunning north Cornwall coast is just 10 minutes’ drive away.

There’s almost endless attraction and activity here, including the village of Boscastle, almost wiped from the map by devastating flash-flood in 2004, and where you may well find Cornwall’s best pasty. Fabulous Tintagel Castle is a little further down the coast, as is Doc Martin village Port Isaac and the culinary Mecca of Padstow.

Time to make your way home today; wherever you’re headed, we’ll provide a tailormade route to get you there with the minimum of fuss.