Highlights of South West England

Arrive in Bristol where you’ll collect your hire car and travel south into Exmoor National Park – famous for its rugged coastline, sweeping moors and iconic Exmoor ponies.

If time allows you could stop and visit tranquil Cleeve Abbey and magnificent Dunster Castle before stopping in the quaint adjoining villages of Lynton & Lynmouth with their Victorian Cliff Railway.

Continue along the coast to the fascinating Valley of the Rocks – a dramatic geological feature on the northern edge of Exmoor and an unmissable photo opportunity – before arriving in Devon’s golden north-west coast where you will spend the next two nights.
Overnight – North Devon

Today you could spend the day relaxing on some of England’s finest beaches such as Woolacombe and Saunton Sands, or travel into Exmoor National Park to hike through beautiful wooded valleys and dramatic moorland.

For an unforgettable experience, take a boat trip to Lundy Island which lies 12 miles off the coast. Although only three miles in length and half-a-mile wide, the island offers an amazingly diverse range of things to do for day-trippers, and because of its isolation the habitat for wildlife is often compared to that of Galapagos. Boats depart from both Bideford and Ilfracombe.
Overnight – North Devon

Visit the delightful village of Clovelly before travelling into the ancient Celtic kingdom of Cornwall. Stop to explore King Arthur’s Tintagel Castle which dates back to the 13th century and is one of Britain’s most spectacular historic sites.
Overnight – North Cornwall

Today you could visit Port Isaac – an idyllic village which has featured in countless films and TV series including Fisherman’s Friends and Doc Martin. This traditional fishing village is home to several excellent restaurants, including the acclaimed Restaurant Nathan Outlaw which overlooks rugged Cornish coastline.

Nearby, the vibrant town of Padstow has a similar foodie reputation, and celebrity chef Rick Stein has several popular seafood eateries where you can experience the fantastic local produce of North Cornwall.
Overnight – North Cornwall

Continue south into the heart of Cornwall. This proud region has a rich cultural heritage which has left an indelible mark on the landscape, not least in the fascinating mining sites that have created the largest World Heritage Site in the UK. With dozens of museums and historic sites spread across Cornwall and West Devon, there are many places where you can stop and learn about the world-changing Cornish mining culture.

Your base for the next three nights is the coast of South Cornwall – truly one of the world’s most breathtaking stretches of coastline. This wonderful region is packed full of historic sites, quaint villages, and brilliant beaches.
Overnight – South Cornwall

The endless attractions of Cornwall are yours to discover today. You could explore the arty town of St Ives, with its famous galleries and museums, or head to iconic Land’s End – Britain’s most south-westerly point.

Just south of Land’s End is the incredible Minack Theatre – Cornwall’s world-famous open-air theatre which is carved into the granite cliff and set in glorious gardens overlooking the spectacular panorama of Porthcurno Bay.
Overnight – South Cornwall

Today you could relax near your accommodation and enjoy a short stroll along the coast, or venture further afield to cross the tidal causeway to St Michael’s Mount – a spectacular island known as ‘the jewel in Cornwall’s crown.’ The castle on the rock rises majestically out of the sea and dates back to the 14th century.

Nearby there are countless places to explore, including the quintessential Cornish fishing village of Mousehole, the rugged Lizard Peninsula with its majestic clifftops, and the vibrant, foodie town of Falmouth which is home to Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle.
Overnight – South Cornwall

Travel east into the Roseland Heritage Coast – home to an endless array of picture-postcard villages such as St Mawes and Portloe. Stop to explore the Eden Project, a dramatic global garden housed in a tropical biome. This huge, tropical garden offers a fascinating insight into the story of mankind’s dependence on plant life

Travel through the historic, maritime city of Plymouth with its picturesque Barbican district into glorious South Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Overnight – South Devon

Today you could spend some time exploring Devon’s magical coastline which is fringed with beautiful towns such as Salcombe, Brixham and Dartmouth. There are countless gorgeous beaches to relax at, as well as historic sites to discover like Greenway House – once home to author Agatha Christie – and the grand 1920s country retreat Coleton Fishacre, with its glorious gardens by the sea.

Alternatively, travel inland to Dartmoor National Park which offers wild, open moorlands and deep river valleys.
Overnight – South Devon

Today you will make your way through the ‘English Riviera’ with its popular Victorian seaside towns and into Dorset. You could stop en route to visit the historic city of Exeter with its famous Cathedral – one of England’s finest – and the world-class Royal Albert Memorial Museum where you can learn more about Devonian and English history.
Overnight – Dorset

Today you could step back in time to the age of the dinosaurs at Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. This 95 mile stretch of coastline was granted UNESCO World Heritage status for its outstanding geology revealing 185 million years of Earth’s history. The stunning natural landmarks of Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Chesil Beach can all be found along this coastline and shouldn’t be missed.

If time allows, you could explore the unique Isle of Portland, discover the bustling harbour town of Weymouth, or venture inland into ‘Thomas Hardy Country’ with its ancient forests and cosy inns.
Overnight – Dorset

Today you will depart Dorset and travel back to Bristol to return your hire car. At this point your memorable self-drive tour of Cornwall, Devon & Dorset will come to an end.