Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Exeter, Devon to Dartmouth, Devon in South West 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: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

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, Food & drink, Culture, Classic road trip.

The West Country Grand Tour: Somerset, Cornwall and Devon from Exeter

Q: How long is the The West Country Grand Tour: Somerset, Cornwall and Devon from Exeter route?

This route takes 14 days taking in 7 stops.

1

Exeter

1 night

Devon's county town and the natural gateway to the South West, worth a night before the loop begins. The Norman cathedral has the longest unbroken stretch of Gothic vaulted ceiling in England, and the revived quayside on the River Exe is good for an evening walk and a drink by the water.Devon's county town and the natural gateway to the South West, worth a night before the loop begins. The Norman cathedral has the longest unbroken stretch of Gothic vaulted ceiling in England, and the revived quayside on the River Exe is good for an evening walk and a drink by the water.

Recommendations

2

Wells and the Mendips

2 nights

England's smallest city makes a two-night base for Somerset. The medieval cathedral, its Vicars' Close and the moated Bishop's Palace sit together in the centre. From here, Glastonbury Tor and the caves and cliffs of Cheddar Gorge are each a short drive out and back.England's smallest city makes a two-night base for Somerset. The medieval cathedral, its Vicars' Close and the moated Bishop's Palace sit together in the centre. From here, Glastonbury Tor and the caves and cliffs of Cheddar Gorge are each a short drive out and back.

Recommendations

3

Lynton and Lynmouth

2 nights

Twin villages on the Exmoor coast, upper Lynton linked to the harbour at Lynmouth by a Victorian water-powered cliff railway. Two nights let you walk the Valley of Rocks, follow the East Lyn river up to Watersmeet, and drive the high moor above the Bristol Channel.Twin villages on the Exmoor coast, upper Lynton linked to the harbour at Lynmouth by a Victorian water-powered cliff railway. Two nights let you walk the Valley of Rocks, follow the East Lyn river up to Watersmeet, and drive the high moor above the Bristol Channel.

Recommendations

4

Bude and the North Cornwall coast

2 nights

Bude's sandy beaches and clifftop sea pool open the Cornish leg. Two nights let you follow the Atlantic coast road south to Tintagel's Arthurian castle and the sheltered harbour at Boscastle, with the fishing villages of Port Isaac and Padstow within a day's reach.Bude's sandy beaches and clifftop sea pool open the Cornish leg. Two nights let you follow the Atlantic coast road south to Tintagel's Arthurian castle and the sheltered harbour at Boscastle, with the fishing villages of Port Isaac and Padstow within a day's reach.

Recommendations

5

Penzance and Penwith

3 nights

The far west earns three nights. Penzance is the base for the tidal castle of St Michael's Mount, the cliff-carved Minack Theatre above Porthcurno's white sand, and Land's End, with St Ives, Mousehole and the Newlyn fishing fleet all close by.The far west earns three nights. Penzance is the base for the tidal castle of St Michael's Mount, the cliff-carved Minack Theatre above Porthcurno's white sand, and Land's End, with St Ives, Mousehole and the Newlyn fishing fleet all close by.

Recommendations

6

Fowey and the Eden Project

1 night

A single night on the wooded Fowey estuary breaks the run back east. The town's steep lanes drop to the water and a passenger ferry to Polruan. Inland, the Eden Project's biomes and the Georgian tall-ship harbour at Charlestown are minutes away.A single night on the wooded Fowey estuary breaks the run back east. The town's steep lanes drop to the water and a passenger ferry to Polruan. Inland, the Eden Project's biomes and the Georgian tall-ship harbour at Charlestown are minutes away.

Recommendations

7

Dartmouth and the South Hams

2 nights

The South Hams close the loop. Dartmouth stacks pastel houses above the Dart estuary, its castle guarding the mouth and the naval college on the hill. Two nights allow a river boat to Agatha Christie's Greenway and a day among the beaches and estuaries around Salcombe.The South Hams close the loop. Dartmouth stacks pastel houses above the Dart estuary, its castle guarding the mouth and the naval college on the hill. Two nights allow a river boat to Agatha Christie's Greenway and a day among the beaches and estuaries around Salcombe.

Recommendations

The West Country Grand Tour: Somerset, Cornwall and Devon from Exeter