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Cornwall

Independent Tour

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It’s hard not to fall in love with Cornwall. Located in the far west of Great Britain on a peninsula tumbling into the vast Atlantic ocean, almost completely surrounded by the sea, a magnificent coastline wraps around Cornwall for almost 300 miles. These dramatic coastlines are dotted with captivating fishing harbours and spectacular beaches. Cornwall’s maritime legacy is never far away where local fishermen land their daily catch of fresh seafood and tall ships, luggers and ketches unfurl their sails in the breeze.

But there are also lots of things about Cornwall that may surprise you. For instance, the wilderness of captivating Bodmin Moor with its panorama of big skies, fascinating prehistoric remains, great walks and more than its fair share of local legends. Cornwall also has a tremendous history based on its Celtic roots, its Celtic Cornish culture, and the Cornish language that can be seen in the village names.

In the far west where the sea turns turquoise in the sun, the sand is white and the natural light is sometimes blindingly bright, the land is adorned with a legacy of Bronze age standing stones, huge granite burial chambers, Celtic crosses and holy wells.

In the old industrial heartland the landscape, recently awarded World Heritage Site status, is dotted with the fascinating remnants of a triumphant mining past illustrating Cornwall’s enormous contribution to the Industrial Revolution with engine houses, museums and miles of recreational trails.

And in the wonderful south of Cornwall, fed by rivers from the high moorlands, leafy estuaries, fishing villagesbeaches, harbours and beautiful gardens that flourish in Cornwall’s mild climate.

More recently Cornwall has become known for food to rival London and beyond, with a multitude of award-winning local food producers and outstanding chefs putting the region well and truly on the gourmet map. Of course, there are always the famed Cornish pasties and cream teas.

Highlights of this Cornwall Tour

  • Drive the very best roads in Cornwall
  • Explore the long and scenic coastline with its pretty fishing villages and ports
  • Visit fabulous gardens such as The Eden Project, Heligan, Trelissick, Glendurgan and many more
  • Learn about Cornwall’s rich mining history, for tin, gold and other metals
  • See the art at the Tate St Ives
  • Visit lovely National Trust properties including Lanhydrock, Tintagel, St Michael’s Mount and Godolphin
  • Enjoy some lovely walks on Bodmin, or along the South Coast Path
  • Stroll around the pretty towns and villages such as Fowey, Rock, or Padstow
  • Visit the historic Charlestown, an unspoilt working Georgian port
Route map
Price: Tour Book: £150 (incl UK P&P)
Suggested hotel costs from £1,400 per room/two people including breakfast, subject to room category and time of year.
Duration: 6 nights
Mileage: 478 miles

Itinerary

May be subject to change.

Day 1: 52 miles

Arrive in Mullion Cove and check-in to the hotel. Enjoy dinner in the excellent hotel restaurant or adjacent bistro.

Day 2: 103 miles

A circular drive around the very south and west of Cornwall, including Land’s End. Explore pretty fishing villages such as Porthleven and Mousehole, and drives along scenic coastal roads. Stop off to explore St Michael’s Mount. Stroll around St Ives and see the art at Tate St Ives. The route ends with a visit to the lovely Bonython Gardens.

Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3: 63 miles

Enjoy a tour of the Lizard Peninsula then visit the gardens of Trebah and Glendurgan. Drive on to Falmouth to see this lovely seaside town and castle. Return to the hotel via the Cornwall Seal Sanctuary and the Marconi Station World Heritage Site.

Day 4: 84 miles

Head for Trelissick, a National Trust garden on the coast, by King Harry’s Ferry. Take the ferry across to the beautiful Roseland Peninsula. Visit the charming town of St Mawes and then wind along the coast to the gorgeous little fishing villages of Portloe and Mevagissey. The Lost Gardens of Heligan are well worth a visit before heading on to the even more famous Eden Project. Finally, drive across to the north coast of Cornwall, to Rock to the second hotel of the tour, where you will stay for the next three nights.

Day 5: 91 miles

Head north along Cornwall’s north coast, visiting the lovely fishing village of Port Isaac and Tintagel Castle, associated with the legends of King Arthur, and on to Boscastle.

Drive into the middle of Cornwall to discover Bodmin Moor, one of Cornwall’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a remote, heather-covered upland granite moorland. There are numerous Neolithic sites around Bodmin and the area is famed for legends and ghost stories. Visit the beautiful Golitha Falls on a lovely walk.

Explore the mining museum at Minions, Cornwall’s highest village. See the gorgeous National Trust property of Lanhydrock and enjoy a visit to the excellent Bodmin Jail Museum.

There are a number of excellent places to eat within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 6: 85 miles

An inland route takes you to the lovely Trewithen Gardens, before heading to the coast at St Agnes. Explore Cornwall’s north coast with a route that visits a number of gorgeous coastal and fishing villages and beaches such as Polzeath, Mawgan Porth and Padstow.

Battered by Atlantic breakers and whipped by sea winds, the shoreline between St Ives in the south and Bude to the north is arguably the county’s most dramatic stretch of coast. Unsurprisingly, this a favourite part of Cornwall for many. The coastal drive is beautiful.

Return to the hotel.

Day 7:

After a hearty Cornish breakfast depart for home at your leisure.

Accommodation

Stay in two lovely hotels for the tour. The first hotel enjoys an impressive cliff-top location on the Lizard Peninsula with superb panoramic sea views. This elegant hotel features an AA Rosette-winning restaurant and an art-deco inspired bar.

The second hotel is in Rock is a classic seaside hotel re-invented, with its emphasis on comfort, design and great food. Positioned above the Camel Estuary with sweeping views across the water, it is the perfect place to relax by the sea. Leave the car and walk the few minutes to surrounding sandy beaches and take the foot-ferry to Padstow. With an endless supply of quality produce in the local area, the fabulous restaurant focuses on fresh, healthy, modern recipes.

 

Bespoke Fitted Luggage

Make packing for your next tour simple and easy. Classic Travelling Luggage offers bespoke fitted cases for a large range of classic and sports cars. Joining one of our Independent Tours entitles you to a 5% discount.

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