House of travel UK & Ireland Brochure 2017 | Page 25

Highlights of South West England This itinerary gives you a real flavour of the region, with six counties and no less than four UNESCO World Heritage sites, historic cities, breath-taking countryside, picture postcard villages, and stunning seascapes all on your route. Exeter The Cotswolds 5 days/4 nights Suggested Self-Drive LONDON Bath Day 1: London – Shaftesbury – Dorchester (184km) Stop at Stonehenge to marvel at the standing stones and the engineering skills of our ancestors. Thirty minutes through rolling countryside and you’re in the town of Shaftesbury, full of historic buildings and great literary connections. Continue south through Dorset villages to the Jurassic Coast. Day 2: Dorchester – Exeter – Dartmoor – Plymouth (156km) Drive into Devon to the cathedral city of Exeter to see the impressive 12th century cathedral. Head inland to the Dartmoor National Park; its wild landscape is believed to be the inspiration behind Conan Doyle’s epic Sherlock Homes story, ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’. Pass by granite outcrops known as Tors as you journey to the Maritime City of Plymouth. Day 3: Plymouth – Polperro – St Michaels Mount – St Ives (123km) In Polperro stroll the narrow streets before heading further into Cornwall to the iconic St Michael’s Mount, a monastery that dates back to the 8th century. Drive through Penzance stopping at Land’s End and Botallack before reaching the beaches of St Ives. Day 4: St Ives – Padstow – Port Isaac – Bath (340km) Back up the coast past Newquay to Padst ow, a pretty harbour made famous by celebrity chef, Rick Stein. Wander the harbourside and winding streets before a short trip to the tiny port village of Port Isaac, then it’s a 3 hour drive to Bath. Day 5: Bath – The Cotswolds (205km) Head through the Gloucestershire towns of Tetbury and Cirencester and into the Cotswolds. There are so many lovely towns and villages, each bursting with old-world charm. Spend more time in The Cotswolds or make your way back to London. Rental car: Hertz (Group B) from $37 per day Our favourite places to stay: • Westwood House Guest House, Dorchester • The Imperial, Plymouth • Pedn Olva Hotel, St Ives • The Slaughters Country Inn, Lower Slaughter Bowerman’s nose, Dartmoor Stonehenge Shaftsbury Exeter Dorchester Dartmoor Jurassic National Coast Park Powderham Polperro Castle Plymouth Port Isaac Padstow St Ives Botallack St Michael’s Mount Isles of Scilly Highlights worth seeing along the way Lulworth Cove – On the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, this stunning horseshoe shaped bay with its coastal walks and views is a must see. Powderham Castle – Of the Earl and Countess of Devon. The castle has been owned by the same family since building commenced in 1391. Plymouth Hoe – One of the world’s finest natural harbours and the scene of some of the world’s most iconic voyages including Sir Francis Drake fighting the Spanish Armada, to Sir Francis Chichester’s first solo circumnavigation of the world. Botallack – Follow the coast road to where the iconic engine houses, from Cornwall’s unique mining heritage, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage site perch precariously on the cliff’s edge. Isles of Scilly – Just 45km off the coast by boat from Penzance or a short flight from Land’s End, Newquay or Exeter, you can enjoy a relaxed pace, explore Tresco Abbey Gardens and wildlife watch. Bath – A unique World Heritage city where you can bathe in naturally hot spring spa water. Bath has been a popular destination for relaxing spa breaks for thousands of years and now combines stunning architecture, fascinating history and excellent restaurants and shopping. Polperro, Cornwall Stonehenge The price guide shown is per car hire based on 3-5 day hire rate. Price shown does not include Earlybird or other discounted offers. Specials and surcharges may apply depending on travel date 21