Day 1 Dorset

We travel out of London along the old stage-coach route towards England's West Country to visit the glorious city of Salisbury and its magnificent 13th century cathedral and chapter house, which holds one of the few remaining copies of the Magna Carta. We continue along the old Roman route to the traditional county town of Dorchester, made famous by Thomas Hardy's novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge. With its elegant 18th century houses, broad walks and bustling shopping streets, Dorchester has much to offer the visitor. Just south of the town we visit the largest prehistoric hill-fort in Britain, home of an Iron Age tribe that lived in the area before the Romans arrived. This afternoon's drive will take us along the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Jurassic Coast' to the home of fossils, Lyme Regis. This unspoilt seaside resort was once an important early port and still retains its early medieval harbour wall called the ‘Cob' where Meryl Streep gazes out to sea in the film The French Lieutenant's Woman.

(D) 



Day 2 Cornwall

Our route this morning takes us through Devon to the lovely south Cornish coast. Here we visit the impossibly quaint fishing village of Polperro where some of the streets are so narrow you can touch both sides while standing in the middle. The region enjoys a temperate climate and the British love of flowers and plants is demonstrated by the number of wonderful sub-tropical gardens in the area. This afternoon we visit one of the best, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a 19th century paradise re-discovered and restored to its former glory. Our afternoon drive winds its way along the coast down country roads that show off our ability to reach places that other tour companies cannot, as we travel towards our accommodation in a lovely Cornish village.

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Day 3 St Ives

This morning we visit one of Cornwall's largest fortresses, Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII to guard this coastal region from Spanish or French attack. Next, the lovely gardens of Trebah that border the tranquil Helford River. Why not enjoy lunch in the award winning café before we make our way to today's highlight, St Michael's Mount. Legend says this fairytale island was once the home of a giant. Discover its medieval castle and delve into the history of the fortress, its priory, and harbour. Depending on the tide we follow its cobbled causeway or take a small boat to the island from the little Cornish town of Marazion. From here we take a short drive to our base for the next three nights, in pictersque St Ives.

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Day 4 St Ives

Today is yours to explore this delightful town at your own pace. Being on a peninsula and surrounded by sandy beaches, St Ives offers some great walking opportunities and wonderful views of the stunning coastal scenery. St Ives has always attracted artists for its light. A host of galleries have sprung up; the most famous include the Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Gallery, both well worth a visit. Even if  you do not have a passion for art, you will find plenty to occupy you here in the tangle of streets around the old fishing harbour. Food lovers will enjoy the vast array of local produce, including the famous Cornish Pasties and traditional Cornish cream teas.

(B)

Day 5 St Ives

More Cornish delights unfold as we admire the stunning scenery and wide vistas of sparkling blue sea on our coastal drive towards Land's End, situated on the westerly point of Britain and surrounded by spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Our journey takes us through this uniquely Cornish coloured landscape, where we visit historic market towns, attractive fishing villages and picturesque riverside hamlets. Although it seems hard to imagine now, Cornwall was once a cradle of the Industrial Revolution and its mining sites are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is still possible to spot ancient antiquities, such as stone circles and remains of Iron Age villages between Land's End and Penzance, whilst Celtic crosses still dot the Cornish countryside. 

(B)

Day 6 Dartmoor

Today we glimpse the rugged north coast of Cornwall. We will see several more fishing villages including the picturesque Port Isaac, featured in the television series, Doc Martin and gastronomic Padstow, the home of Rick Stein's restaurant. We head inland across windswept hills to the old capital of Cornwall, Launceston, where we visit Cornwall's grandest medieval castle, supposedly the ‘White Castle' of Arthurian legend. Our scenic drive takes us back towards Dartmoor for tonight's accommodation.

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Day 7 London

This morning we explore the high lanes and sunken lanes of Devon's Dartmoor, keeping our eyes open for the wild ponies and daft sheep that have right of way on many of the roads up here. We have time for a few ‘Back Roads' stops before driving to our last major highlight of the tour, the cathedral city of Wells in Somerset. This is the smallest city in England and is often said to have the most beautiful cathedral. It may also have the best preserved medieval precincts of any cathedral in Europe. Your guide will make sure that you see both and you will also have some free time to explore the local shops, or perhaps a coffee before our return to London.

(B)

Pick-up/Drop-off Information:

Tour departs at 08.30am and returns (approx) at 5.30pm from:

The Hyde Park Inn

Hyde Park

66 Lancaster Gate 

London, W2 3NZ