Southwest England in Focus, 21-28+ days
Southwest England in Focus, 21-28+ days
This trip is designed to explore some charming villages and small towns in the southwest of England. The primary points of interest will be the traditional small fishing villages of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset. But mostly Cornwall. Also included for your consideration are several smallish beautiful historic cities like Wells, Salisbury, and Bath.
Transportation: Public transportation is neither convenient nor practical for this trip. A car is essential.
Major points of interest include:
Walks along the coastal path. Cornwall will provide some of the most breathtaking walks that can be found anywhere. The Cornish coastal paths are definitely not a one-and-done experience but should be be hiked again and again, and most are suitable for older folks like us.
In Cornwall you find rocky cliffs, sandy coves, and weather. The paths lead to small villages, and historic pubs serving up a plowman’s lunch and the occasional tearoom with sweets. Please note, your coastal walks will not be up and down the cliffs but a gentler walk along a path at the top of the cliffs.
The coast is dotted with small fishing villages that provide any number of places to stay. You can almost throw a dart at the map and select your stay by chance. I recommend Mousehole, St Ives, Mevagissey, Falmouth, Looe, Lynmouth/Lynton, Fowey, and Cadgwith. So, you reject our recommendations and decide to stay 6 nights in Port Issac, 5 in Dunster, and 6 in Boscastle. Great decision.
TIP! Parking in the small villages is at best difficult so make certain that wherever you stay it comes with a dedicated parking space.
Enjoy the quaint coastal towns. Stroll the harbors, sit along the quays and watch the tides rise and retreat leaving the fishing boats looking stranded and abandoned. The last person seen running in these fishing villages was a pirate in 1774. Yes, stroll and sit.
TIP! Fashion, if I may call it fashion, in Cornwall is casual --- not smart casual --- a sort of indifferent casual. So, you may assume that you will not be expected to shop until you drop.
One of the joys of the trip may be 1-2 days at Tintagel Castle. We stayed at the Camelot Castle Hotel and left with wonderful memories and wanting to go back again. Tintagel Castle is situated on a rocky headland and a scenic cliff studded coast to climb and dream of the legends of king Arthur and his band of knights-errant.
You have a very special evening in store for you if you attend the Minack Outdoor Theatre perched on the spectacular cliffs above the pounding sounds of the sea.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan are about 5 miles from the beautiful fishing village of Mevagissey. The gardens are spread over 200 acres and contain jungle, plant, Italian, kitchen, sculpture gardens, and more. What stuns the visitor to the gardens is the realization that The Lost Gardens are on the same latitude as North Dakota, yet the Cornish climate supports a tropical world of palms and other tropical plants.
St. Michael’s Mount is a tidal island off the Cornish coast linked by a causeway to the village of Marazion. During low tides the causeway enables visitors to walk to the island and at high tides ferry boats, at a minimal fare, offer services.
The small island is now held by the National Trust. The medieval monastery named after the Archangel Michael looks across the English Channel to a similar tidal monastery in Normandy the more famous Mount Saint-Michael. On the island there are a few year-round residents, some shops, gardens, and tearooms. For those in the region this is a must-see.
Lands End --- too many tourists.
The Lizard Point and Kynance Cove is worth an afternoon walk with spectacular views of the rocky cliffs. I again needed my walking stick.
The ancient village churches remain the cultural heart of the Cornish village and the village bulletin board for most activities and announcements. The churches and chapels were mostly built in the Saxon/Norman Romanesque or Gothic Perpendicular styles and are similar to those found in much of England.
TIP! You may have noticed taking a walk pops up frequently in this blog, but now it is time to introduce a new and more accurate word, “rambling”. The fact is the English don’t walk, nor do they hike. The English ramble. There are rambling clubs that welcome visitors to tag along. The clubs are posted in the villages and online. Like everything English there is a rambling etiquette so just ask, “How do I ramble?”
The Eden Project can best be understood after a few call ups on You Tube.
Estimated Driving Times and Distances
Heathrow airport to Wells is on the M4 2 ½ hours, 125 miles (to Lacock, Bath, and Castle Combe less).
Wells to St Mawes 4 hours, 185 miles.
St. Mawes to St. Ives 1 ½ hours, 50 miles.
Port Isaac to Tintagel 40 minutes, 12 miles.
Many want to go “castling” in England, and other tours will offer some spectacular options but not this trip. There are a few Grade B castles, but Wales and Scotland are better for castle chasing. The best castles in the target zone are Tintagel, Dunster, Berry Pomeroy, and Dartmouth. Tintagel is in ruins but is spectacular and wrapped in the legend of King Arthur and should also be visited because of the fantastic coastal rambles.
Final Itinerary for Southwest England:
Suggestions: Windsor, Bath, Wells, Castle Combe, Lacock, Salisbury, Bibury, and Royal Wootton.
The above places are for short stays: 1-3 nights from and to the airport. Each one is an excellent choice to begin or end the trip.
Suggestions for longer stays: 4-7 Looe, Fowey, St. Ives, Mousehole, Cadgwith, Mevagissey, Lynmouth, and Port Isaac. Falmouth (pop. 25,000) can also be a consideration for a long-term stay.
TIP! We never stay long term in a village that does not have a COOP (small grocery store).
Deed’s Packing for the trip:
2 pair shoes
Underwear
Socks
3 pairs of pants
1 skirt
Walking shorts
Scarf, Balaclava,
Gloves, hat
5 tops
Sweater
Cosmetics
Raingear
Washcloth
Extra glasses
Phone, cables, converters
Walking stick
Documents
Knife
Money belt
Hat/cap
Medicine
House slippers
Remember, what you bring you carry. I never saw a Hilton in Cornwall --- so forget about an elevator or a nice big parking lot.
Review our “We’re Glad You’re Here” entry, as well as Deed’s Guidepost and Essentials for detailed guidance on:
Counting Days and Budget
Packing
The Aging Process
Perspective and Pacing
Stress and Endurance
Car Rental in helping you prepare for your trip
Plan well, travel well, and savor the experience.