How long is the England's South Coast: Dover to St Ives route?

This route takes 12 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Dover, Kent to St Ives, Cornwall in Southern England, England.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Easy-going. Easy-going and accessible for most fitness levels.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Coastal, Culture, Nature, Classic road trip.

England's South Coast: Dover to St Ives

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The route · 6 stops

1
Dover
2 nights
Gateway to England's south coast and the country's link to continental Europe. Dover Castle is one of England's greatest medieval fortresses, with wartime tunnels where Churchill's staff coordinated the Dunkirk evacuation. Walk the clifftop National Trust trail east to South Foreland Lighthouse for views toward France.
Gateway to England's south coast and the country's link to continental Europe. Dover Castle is one of England's greatest medieval fortresses, with wartime tunnels where Churchill's staff coordinated the Dunkirk evacuation. Walk the clifftop National Trust trail east to South Foreland Lighthouse for views toward France.
Arrive on day one and head straight to the White Cliffs viewpoint for sunset. Book Dover Castle tickets in advance: the wartime tunnels tours have limited capacity.
2
Chichester
2 nights
A compact Roman-walled city on the edge of the South Downs National Park. Fishbourne Roman Palace, 1.5 miles west, is the largest Roman residence found in Britain, built around 75 AD with extraordinary mosaic floors. Arundel Castle, 12 miles east, makes a full half-day excursion with views over the chalk downland.
A compact Roman-walled city on the edge of the South Downs National Park. Fishbourne Roman Palace, 1.5 miles west, is the largest Roman residence found in Britain, built around 75 AD with extraordinary mosaic floors. Arundel Castle, 12 miles east, makes a full half-day excursion with views over the chalk downland.
Book Fishbourne Palace entry in advance. Chichester Cathedral and the Novium museum are free to enter. Approach Arundel from the north for the best view of the castle against the sky.
3
Lyndhurst, New Forest
2 nights
The heart of England's oldest royal hunting ground, created by William the Conqueror in 1079. Around 5,000 free-roaming ponies graze the open heathland. Beaulieu's National Motor Museum and ruined Cistercian abbey make a full day's outing; Buckler's Hard is an 18th-century shipbuilding hamlet on the Beaulieu River estuary.
The heart of England's oldest royal hunting ground, created by William the Conqueror in 1079. Around 5,000 free-roaming ponies graze the open heathland. Beaulieu's National Motor Museum and ruined Cistercian abbey make a full day's outing; Buckler's Hard is an 18th-century shipbuilding hamlet on the Beaulieu River estuary.
Download the New Forest cycling map before arriving: traffic-free trails connect the villages and are the best way to find ponies without sitting in car-park queues.
4
Weymouth
2 nights
Weymouth sits at the centre of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day trips reach Durdle Door, a limestone arch above a turquoise bay, and the near-circular cove at Lulworth. Chesil Beach, an 18-mile barrier of shingle, runs west from Portland Bill through fossil-rich cliffs to Bridport.
Weymouth sits at the centre of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day trips reach Durdle Door, a limestone arch above a turquoise bay, and the near-circular cove at Lulworth. Chesil Beach, an 18-mile barrier of shingle, runs west from Portland Bill through fossil-rich cliffs to Bridport.
Durdle Door car park fills by 9am in summer. Arrive early or walk in from Lulworth Cove on the coast path (1.5 miles each way, steep in places). Corfe Castle is worth a half-day to the east.
5
Plymouth
2 nights
Plymouth's Barbican is the largest cobbled medieval quarter in England, with more than 100 listed buildings. The Mayflower Steps mark where the Pilgrim Fathers sailed in 1620. Dartmoor is 20 minutes north: the B3212 through Princetown to Postbridge is one of England's great moorland drives, with granite tors and wild ponies.
Plymouth's Barbican is the largest cobbled medieval quarter in England, with more than 100 listed buildings. The Mayflower Steps mark where the Pilgrim Fathers sailed in 1620. Dartmoor is 20 minutes north: the B3212 through Princetown to Postbridge is one of England's great moorland drives, with granite tors and wild ponies.
Park on the Hoe and walk down to the Barbican; the cobbled streets are difficult for cars. For Dartmoor, fill up at Yelverton before the moorland road: fuel stations are sparse until Moretonhampstead.
6
St Ives
2 nights
St Ives closes the route at England's Atlantic edge. Three sandy beaches sit within ten minutes' walk of each other, and Tate St Ives overlooks Porthmeor Beach. Drive 9 miles south to Porthcurno for the Minack Theatre, carved into the clifftop, and continue to Land's End for the sense of standing at England's farthest point west.
St Ives closes the route at England's Atlantic edge. Three sandy beaches sit within ten minutes' walk of each other, and Tate St Ives overlooks Porthmeor Beach. Drive 9 miles south to Porthcurno for the Minack Theatre, carved into the clifftop, and continue to Land's End for the sense of standing at England's farthest point west.
St Ives is pedestrianised in high season. Park at Trenwith and walk down. Visit the Minack Theatre in the morning for the best light on the cliff stage. Book Land's End parking in advance in July.

England's South Coast: Dover to St Ives

The route · 6 stops

Dover

Chichester

Lyndhurst, New Forest

Weymouth

Plymouth

St Ives

Route highlights

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England's South Coast: Dover to St Ives

The route · 6 stops

Dover

Chichester

Lyndhurst, New Forest

Weymouth

Plymouth

St Ives

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

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