South West England Vacations, Tours & Travel Packages
The region mainly consists of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset on a trip to England.
Cornwall is surrounded on three sides by the English Channel and the Irish Sea and has miles of sandy beaches and dramatic cliff scenery. The largest resort in Newquay, the capital of Cornish surfing. St. Ives, with its harbour and winding cobblestone streets, is an arts centre with numerous galleries and craft shops. Tintagel is the supposed birthplace of King Arthur and has an imposing castle perched on the top of a cliff. St. Michael’s Mount is a small island reached when the tide is out with a castle and chapel and is the counterpart to Mont St. Michel in Normandy, France. Rocky Land’s End is the most westerly point in England. Other pleasant and quaint resorts are the fishing villages of Bude and Polperro, the latter having traffic-free streets.
Devon has a large number of beach resorts. The best-known is Torquay with its milder winter climate. It is located in the heart of the “English Riviera” and is perfect as a centre from which to visit the numerous other smaller resorts and fishing villages on the South Devon Coast. Dartmouth is an attractive historical town with a picturesque harbour located on the River Dart and is home to the Royal Naval College. Other attractions are a 15th Century castle and the Dartmouth Museum which features a collection of ship models and other artifacts. The largest city is Exeter and the perfect place to use as a base to explore Devon. The city itself has much to offer with its Roman Wall, 15th Century cathedral and underground passages beneath the city. There are some exceptional scenic walks along the estuary of the River Exe heading towards the sea from Exeter. Devon has two National Parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor. This is English countryside at its wildest where the landscape is ruggedly beautiful and dramatic. They are both home to all types of wildlife including wild ponies which roam the moorland. Just north of Exmoor, on the coast, are the picturesque twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. The steep walk from the beautiful harbour in Lynmouth to the charming cafes and shops in Lynton is worthwhile and which can also be done via the cliff railway. Indulge in a Devon Cream Tea on your England vacation (scones, jam, clotted cream and of course, a pot of tea).
Dorset, although not as well-known as Devon and Cornwall, has much to offer the visitor on an England vacation. Its coastline which is 160 kilometres/100 miles long, is made up of golden sandy beaches and secluded private coves. It is the rock formations that give Dorset its unique and varied landscape. The largest resort is Bournemouth with its 12 kilometres/7 miles of golden sands. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan town with a variety of shops, restaurants, accommodations and nightlife. Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, was founded by the Romans and has a long history. Thomas Hardy was born near Dorchester. His novels and poems depict the Wessex and Dorset countryside. Abbotsbury is a picturesque village with a number of honey-coloured stone cottages and a Benedictine abbey. Its main street has a charming English feel and is lined with old inns and lovely little tea shops. Nearby is the exceptionally attractive Chesil Beach which is 28 kilometres/18 miles long and made up of shingles and pebbles. Lyme Regis is a resort with 5 small beaches and was once home to the celebrated author, John Fowles. It has some amazing cliff walks with panoramic views of the region. Lulworth Cove is a stunning, scallop-shaped cove formed around 10,000 years ago by the power of water. The landscape around the cove is constantly changing as the softer chalk cliffs erode. There is a dramatic walk along the cliff top.
South West England
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A Magical Land of Legends: London, Devon & Cornwall
MODERATE | SMALL GROUP: England is a country filled with folklore. Begin your exploration of England's incredible past and present with a brief stay in London before setting out to discover the beauty and wonders of historic Devon county and Cornwall on this small group adventure.- Duration:
- 7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,528
- Trip Type:
- Active & Adventurous, Family Vacations, Small Group Touring, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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