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
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