Corners of Cornwall

DARTMOOR, FALMOUTH, ST IVES, FOWEY

From windswept moors and wild coastlines to historic cities and picture-perfect fishing villages, discover Cornwall and its many attractions. The region’s maritime heritage, rural beauty and culinary offerings will delight all who visit. Your tour provides plenty of free time too for independent discovery.

Tour Highlights

Depart London on a seven-day journey through beautiful Cornwall. Tour highlights include a visit to Wells, where its Gothic cathedral provides the perfect starting point for your Back Roads tour. Continuing on quiet country lanes, we head west, into Dartmoor National Park and on to the quaint fishing town of Port Isaac.

Marvel at the dramatic coastal scenery as the tour rounds the peninsula, visiting lovely towns and picturesque fishing villages along the way. With plenty of free time to explore on your own, this tour provides a great mix of sightseeing opportunities.

Corners of Cornwall

Day 1
London – Wells – Dartmoor National Park

From London, we set off on our adventure to England’s beautifully eclectic west. Our first stop is the tiny market city of Wells, known for its Gothic cathedral with a quirky clock, and peaceful Vicar’s Close. Sip a coffee and watch the world go by, or wander around the local shops. From Wells, our path takes us from the quaint country lanes of Somerset to the heather and gorse-clad tors of Dartmoor. We travel along winding roads and over ancient stone bridges, through rugged countryside where wild ponies roam. If we have time, we stop at the High Moorland Visitor Centre for an insight into regional history, legends and wildlife, before sitting down to a welcome dinner together.

Overnight: Two Bridges Hotel (or similar)

Day 2
Dartmoor National Park – Port Isaac – Padstow – Falmouth

Today we leave Dartmoor for the sheer cliffs and sheltered harbours of Cornwall’s northern coast – a gourmet feast set firmly in our sights. For an appetiser, there’s a stroll around Port Isaac, the fishing village made famous by television series, Doc Martin. Then it’s on to the main course: a leisurely lunch at ‘The Seafood Restaurant’ – Rick Stein’s flagship restaurant in Padstow. Pick from a menu of fresh-off-the-boat Cornish seafood and international favourites such as Atlantic Crab. Or take a seat at the seafood bar and watch chefs making up platters of oysters, langoustines and wafer-thin sashimi. Then it’s time to take it easy as we travel further west to Falmouth, our launch pad for the next three nights. (B, L)

Overnight: Greenbank Hotel (or similar)

Day 3
Falmouth – St Ives – St Michael’s Mount – Falmouth

This morning takes us to one of England’s prettiest towns, St Ives, that’s set on a curl of coastline with an endless expanse of beaches, with picturesque Godrevy Lighthouse on the horizon. We wander through cobbled lanes, past traditional fishermen’s cottages with their tiny staircases up to the front doors, to the beach set behind a sheltering harbour wall. Afternoon finds us setting sail to St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island just off the coast from Penzance. Stepping ashore in the buzzing village, we witness life through the eyes of the islanders and explore the medieval castle, brimming with treasures and stories from the island’s past. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together back at our Falmouth hotel. (B, D)

Overnight: Greenbank Hotel (or similar)

Day 4
Falmouth

We have no set plans today, leaving you free to explore Falmouth at your leisure. Make for the museums, including the Falmouth Art Gallery and the fascinating National Maritime Museum. Walk up to the headland to explore Pendennis Castle – one of a pair built in Henry VIII’s day to guard Falmouth Harbour. Potter along the high street, stopping off in independent boutiques, bookshops and cafes as you go. Or set out to explore the local area. You could take the scenic ferry ride over to St Mawes, or journey up the Fal River to Cornwall’s capital city, Truro. (B)

Overnight: Greenbank Hotel (or similar)

Day 5
Falmouth – Tregothnan – Fowey

There’s a treat for the green-fingered as we set off to explore Tregothnan – Cornwall’s largest estate and the historic seat of the Boscawen family. A member of the gardening team gives us a private tour of the grounds and the tea plantation, where we learn all about the only tea grown in England. Then we make our way to Fowey, a centuries-old town that hugs the steep banks of the Fowey estuary. Settle into our hotel for the night then enjoy time to explore – watch the mussel boats sailing back into the harbour, or seek out a friendly local pub. (B)

Overnight: Fowey Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Fowey
Lyme Regis – Hawkchurch

Leaving Fowey, we make our way along the south Cornish coast, with a stop at Polperro fishing village before we leave the county behind us. After visiting magnificent Buckfast Abbey in south Devon, our road takes us to the green hills and golden sandstone cliffs of Dorset. We continue to Lyme Regis where we walk in the footsteps of Jane Austin’s heroines. We climb the historic Cobb, made famous by Austen’s novel Persuasion, before taking in sweeping views of the Jurassic Coast from the Langmoor and Lister Gardens. Hunt for fossils in the local shops, or promenade along the 18th century seafront. Tonight we hang up our hats in Hawkchurch, near Lyme Regis, for a farewell dinner together. (B, D)

Overnight: Fairwater Head Hotel (or similar)

Day 7
Hawkchurch – Salisbury – London

The adventure isn’t over just yet. Our journey then takes us along the Old Roman road to Salisbury, set in its ancient landscape of grass plains and rolling downs. Here we marvel at Salisbury Cathedral, with its sky-scraping spire, and have the opportunity to see the original Magna Carta. From a town steeped in history to a modern metropolis, we travel to London, where our tour ends. (B)

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

• This tour commences from the Grange Wellington Hotel, 71-72 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PA at 8.30am. Please ensure you are at the meeting point at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
• The tour finishes at 5:30pm at Grange Wellington Hotel, 71-72 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PA

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