Steeped in millennia of history and possessing a wild beauty, Devon and Cornwall have inspired a rich folklore – including the legend of King Arthur. History buffs and nature lovers alike will rejoice in this eight-day journey through charming countryside and along captivating coastline, taking in the region's landmarks, landscapes and local stories. Stay at history-drenched Bovey Castle in Dartmoor National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that inspired Sherlock Holmes’s most famous case – The Hound of the Baskervilles. Explore the ancient temperate rainforest of Wistman's Wood; learn about the legend of King Arthur at Tintagel Castle; and tour photogenic villages framed with golden beaches, savoring quintessentially Cornish pasties and cream teas along the way. Walk the cobblestone streets of St Ives, visiting artists’ studios and galleries. Be enchanted by the medieval island of St Michael’s Mount and immerse yourself in The Lost Gardens of Heligan with its camellias and tree ferns. Feast on the finest seafood next to Padstow harbor, lined with fishing boats, and sip crisp wines as you relax into British coastal life.
1 Arrive Exeter, EnglandGraced by sandy beaches on its northern coast and lovely coves along its southern shore — with long-grassed, stone-dotted moors sprawled in between — Devon beckons with a storybook blend of stately castles, quaint fishing villages, charming country roads and lively residents happy to share their unique culture and cuisine.
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2 Newton Abbot – Devon’s Striking South CoastVenture to the glorious South Hams area today, stopping first in Burgh Island to view the façade of a well-preserved art deco hotel, whose stunning coastal views helped inspire Agatha Christie to write And Then There Were None in the small beach house on site. Next stop at gothic-style Start Point Lighthouse, then visit Slapton, a delightful shingle beach with a secret from World War ll. Take a boat trip on the River Dart to take in views of Kingswear and other quaint villages, the Agatha Christie Estate of Greenway and the Britannia Royal Naval College where Queen Elizabeth II first met Prince Philip.
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3 Newton Abbot – Moors Of Dartmoor National ParkVenture into Devon’s moorlands to Dartmoor National Park, stopping at the visitor center and museum to learn more about this history-laden corner of the countryside. Walk the landscape where fiction’s greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, pursued clues in The Hound of the Baskervilles, and get a feel for what life was like for the Victorian criminals Holmes put behind bars when you meet the staff of Dartmoor Prison Museum. Listen as they share insights into a century and a half of British history through stories of prisoners, ranging from captured Napoleonic soldiers and American revolutionaries to WWI conscientious objectors. Then visit Tavistock, where a market has been held since its charter in 1105, to stroll today’s charming Pannier market.
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4 St Ives – Hands-On Pasty MakingJourney into Cornwall where you stop at Tintagel Castle, held to be the birthplace of King Arthur, looming precipitously above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Immerse yourself in the ruined fortress’s richly tapestried history, then embark on a Cornish culinary adventure with a private class at a cooking school reserved for your exclusive use. Learn how to make the beloved Cornish pasty, watch a demonstration of homemade scone making and indulge in a classic Cornish cream tea.
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5 St Ives – Majestic St. Michael’s MountExplore one of the most gorgeous locations on the Cornish south coast as you travel along the scenic coastline of the Lizard Peninsula to St. Michael’s Mount. Originally an abbey complex, today the rocky island, crowned by a medieval church and castle, is home to a tightknit community that includes the St. Aubyn family, who have lived in the castle for over 300 years.
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6 St Ives – Harlyn’s Glorious GardensJourney to your next destination, stopping en route to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, where a gardens of a country house that had been forgotten about for decades have been painstakingly restored to their former glory. Continue to your hotel for an afternoon on your own. Alternatively, head into the former China clay mining area near St. Austell. In one of the old quarries the world-renowned Eden Project has been established featuring biospheres that host an incredible collection of plants, a rainforest and activities for the whole family.
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7 Harlyn – A Day Of Culinary DelightDelve into the food scene of Padstow today as you explore this charming fishing village, nestled on the banks of the Camel Estuary in north Cornwall. Begin at The Golden Lion pub for a pint of traditional Cornish grog, brewed just around the corner. Then stroll through Harlyn’s old town, passing St. Petroc’s Church, and meander down to the harbor and a seafood bar offering oysters or prawns washed down with a crisp glass of white wine. If you wish, finish your foodie adventure on your own with a traditional fish and chips eaten on the quayside or a gourmet spread at a local restaurant, and raise a toast to your amazing unforgettable week in southwest England.
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8 Depart HarlynMeals: