Exeter

Tours

Discover the landscapes and history of the wild Southwest of England on this 5-day minicoach tour. Combining the best of Devon and Cornwall, including the Jurassic Coast, Dartmoor, Lands End, Tintagel Castle, 2 nights in the Roman city of Exeter, and 2 nights in the harbor town of Falmouth, this tour offers a unique view of a beautiful part of Britain. Day 1 Depart London and travel through the old kingdom of Wessex to the historic city of Winchester. The former capital of Anglo-Saxon England boasts a magnificent cathedral and the Norman Great Hall. From this bustling city, head to a quieter but equally profound place, the standing stone circle of Stonehenge. Having explored this mystical place, your tour will continue to Exeter, the Romans most southwesterly fortified settlement and your base for 2 nights. Day 2 Your morning is spent exploring the magnificent wilderness of Dartmoor, the ancient "Clapper Bridge" at Postbridge, and the historic market town of Tavistock, home to Francis Drake. Return to Exeter in the early afternoon to explore the Roman town, with its underground passages, ancient walls, Royal Albert Memorial Museum and famous 12th-Century Norman Cathedral. Day 3 Head west to the North Cornish coast and the Elizabethan fishing village of Boscastle. Indulge in a cream tea, take a stroll out to the dramatic headland or learn a spell or two in the Museum of Witchcraft. Travel to the village of Tintagel and the ruins of its headland Castle, whose romantic cliff-top setting is purportedly the birthplace of King Arthur. After lunch, the tour heads to Port Isaac where you can get your Doc Martin fix and fall in love with this picturesque fishing village, before heading south to the bustling port town of Falmouth for the next two nights. Day 4 Explore the most westerly tip of England on this magnificent day, taking in St. Michael’s Mount, the incredible Minack Theater, built into the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the beautiful National Trust beach at Porthcurno. Look out for pirates at Penzance! England’s most westerly point beckons at Lands End before following the dramatic coast, with windswept moors and old stone Celtic communities, up to the artistic haven of St. Ives. Return to Falmouth for the night. Day 5 This morning you say farewell to Cornwall and travel back through the Devon countryside with stops for photos and refreshments before arriving in the famous little town of Glastonbury for lunch. Glastonbury Tor rises high above the town and has mythical connections with King Arthur and Avalon. From here you will return back eastwards to London, a city completely removed from the experiences you have enjoyed in the magical counties of Devon and Cornwall. Staying in a range of locally owned, friendly B&B's and guesthouses, you will enjoy en suite facilities, and tranquility in scenic locations in the lovely southwest of England.

Day 1 You begin your journey down into the south-west of England. You’ll stop in at cute villages and enjoy a scenic drive through Exmoor National Park, a beautiful mix of moorland, woodland, coast and rivers. We like to keep things flexible this morning, so your driver-guide will touch base with you throughout the day. Next stop is Dunster; this medieval village is dominated by its Norman Castle, which you can view as you wander the village. You will visit the incredible ruins of Tintagel Castle. Sitting snug on the clifftops of North Cornwall, this historic 13th-century castle is believed to be the birthplace of King Arthur. The time is yours to explore this wonderful site. We depart Tintagel and head for the coastal city of Falmouth, our overnight base for the next two nights. Day 2 The day begins with a visit to one of Cornwall’s most loved destinations: the fishing town of St Ives. Get in touch with your inner seaside dweller as you wander this idyllic harbour town. Your next destination is a must in our opinion. Land’s End is a legendary spot that has inspired people since ancient Greek times when it was referred to as ‘Belerion’, or ‘Place of the Sun’. We head for a lunch break to an open-air theatre perched atop rugged cliffs. Yes, we’re talking about the incredible *Minack Theatre. *Please note that due to availability, we may be unable to visit this theatre. Your guide will let you know as you go. The last stop of the day is in Marazion, where you’ll get a chance for a photo of the jaw-dropping St Michael’s Mount. This rocky island is home to a medieval church and castle, and is England’s very own Mont Saint-Michel. Day 3 This morning we keep things flexible, with possible stops as we start heading north again. You then arrive in Tavistock, an ancient stannary (tin-mining district) and market town. You have free time to explore the only town in Devon to hold world heritage status. Your journey continues east into Dartmoor National Park, a stunningly craggy landscape filled with forests, rivers, wetlands and tors. You’ll stop in the picturesque village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, where the folk song of “Widecombe Fair” has been immortalized. Your adventure in Dartmoor National Park continues with a visit to the rocky granite outcrops of Haytor before you head to Exeter for the evening. Day 4 The last day of your tour stops at Durdle Door, one of Dorset’s most photographed landmarks, and the uniqueness of Lulworth Cove. Then you’re off to Shaftesbury, which is the epitome of a quaint English market town. It also has a fascinating history going back to Saxon times. The final stop of the day is the iconic and mind-boggling Stonehenge. It’s been around for around 5,000 years and to this day, people still flock to it in wonder. You among them? There are plenty of legends surrounding these massive stones and how they ended in such a formation.

If you are Curious About Exeter, take one of our quirky self-guided walks, where you can explore the heart of this historic city. Not only will you visit the better-known places – we make sure you visit the unusual and intriguing ones too! Added to this we provide compelling stories about the history around you, whilst you have fun following our detailed directions, finding answers to our addictive clues and matching pictures to places along the way. You’ll discover "hidden treasures", whilst reading snippets about the history of Exeter and the people and events that have shaped it – whether you’re familiar with Exeter or a first-time visitor, you will spot things you would not have otherwise noticed. Download the walks to your mobile device, then follow the directions and enjoy our self-guided heritage walks at your own pace and level of interest The walks are 1.5 miles and 1 mile respectively. The 1st walk is wheelchair / buggy friendly, however steps are unavoidable in the second walk.

Discover some of the most historic sites in England on a 3-day tour of the southwest, visiting the Roman city of Bath, and center of the Kingdom of Wessex at Exeter. Drive along the preshistoric Jurassic Coast of Dorset, and head into the vast moorland of Dartmoor, a protected national park with exposed granite hilltops. The tour, by comfortable 16-seat minibus, also includes time at Stonehenge, the most famous stone circle in England, and a chance to climb Glastonbury Tor. Day 1: Depart London for the old Kingdom of Wessex en route to the famous Neolithic standing stone circle of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. Explore the mystical stones, which continue to confound historians to this day. Next, head for the dramatic south coast of Dorset, enjoying the panoramic views over white sand beaches, and the natural rock arch of Durdle Door. Spend the afternoon on the Jurassic Coast before driving to the historic city of Exeter, which was the most southwesterly fortified settlement of the ancient Roman Empire. You will be based here for the next 2 nights. Day 2: Enjoy a morning exploring the wilderness of Dartmoor, including the ancient "Clapper Bridge" at Postbridge. Go to the market town of Tavistock, where Francis Drake used to live. Return to Exeter in the early afternoon to explore the Roman town’s underground passages and ancient walls. Visit the renovated Royal Albert Memorial Museum to find fascinating sections on zoology, archaeology, anthropology, and fine art. Marvel at the 12th-century Norman Cathedral, which boasts the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England. Day 3: On your final day, head to Glastonbury and visit Glastonbury Tor. Learn about its connection to Avalon and King Arthur, and climb the Tor for spectacular views across 3 English counties. Drive to the beautiful City of Bath for lunch, with time in the afternoon to explore the relics of its Roman past, including the famous Roman Baths. Admire the handsome Georgian architecture of the city center, and pop into the 7th-century Bath Abbey, noted for its fan vaulting and commemorative stained glass. Return to London for an early evening drop off.