Tour for individualists to th he west of southern England

The south-west of England is much more than Cornwall. On this tour we visit the counties of Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire with beautiful coastal areas, impressive towns and mansions and devote a lot of time to the two great moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Overview

Key Facts of Tour 1 - South of England at a glance from London to Cornwall

Trip duration:

You should plan at least 14 days for this trip, otherwise, it is quite exhausting, as the distances to be covered should not be underestimated either.

Destinations to be visited here:

London, Devon, Dorset, Exmoor, Dartmoor, Somerset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire

Does one arrive at the coast with the particularly nice places?

Yes, even twice: to the Bristol Channel (Atlantic) and to the south coast.

Is it possible to move around on this tour, e.g., hike?

Absolutely! Exmoor and Dartmoor, in particular, offer wonderful hiking opportunities—but so does the entire coastline along the magnificent South West Coast Path.

Is this tour suitable for beginners traveling to England for the first time?

This is even the ideal tour for beginners, as you can discover many highlights of southern England on a single itinerary.

Do I need a car for this trip?

Quite frankly: Yes! Without a car, it’s practically impossible to explore the country effectively. While there are railway lines, these are almost exclusively limited to a few main routes. You won’t reach the charming little towns and picturesque spots this way. Buses do run, but often infrequently and not always on the necessary schedule. Therefore, we strongly recommend a car for all the itineraries described here.

I come from a country where they drive on the right. Is it difficult to drive on the left?

No – the British would say. But seriously, driving on the left does take a little getting used to if you’re visiting from abroad. The good news is that, after leaving the airport, you’ll usually join a motorway almost immediately. Since the carriageways are physically separated, there’s virtually no chance of ending up on the wrong side of the road. That gives you plenty of time to settle in and realise that driving on the left isn’t actually difficult—it’s just unfamiliar. The first roundabout can feel a little daunting, and so can your first turn at a junction in a town or village. But after just a few days, it all starts to feel completely natural.
A practical tip: When booking your rental car, choose an automatic if you can. It saves you from having to get used to changing gears with your left hand, making the whole experience much more relaxed.

Description of Tour 1 “Tour 2 – The west of southern England including Dartmoor and Exmoor”

From the airport in London (usually Heathrow) you go to Winchester, the old capital of England.

Through the beautiful New Forest (small tip: Do not rush through on the motorway, but enjoy a bit of the landscape a little on small side roads) we go to the Isle of Purbeck, which is a peninsula. Corfe Castle, although ruined, is very picturesque and impressive. A small highlight are Durdle Door (the “rock with the hole” in the sea) and the almost circular bay Lulworth Cove. Along the coast we head to Abbotsbury on the Jurassic Coast – a very lovely place where a visit is highly recommended to both the Subtropical Garden and the Swannery (in May the baby swans have just hatched – don’t miss it!). Further on Lyme Regis is worth a visit, as is Beer, which is nearby (The place is really called this!).

In Exeter, the cathedral is at least worth a visit. To the south is the nice town of Dartmouth, where you can make a trip up the River Dart to Totnes. Then we arrive at the famous Dartmoor, a very special area: A national park with a variety of features, for which you should definitely take a few days. On the edge of the moor are Tavistock and the Lydford Gorge – a great gorge.

A short detour takes us across the border to Cornwall, where Cotehele House and Garden is worth a visit. This is a manor house with a huge garden and a small harbour by the river, an active mill and much more. Railway fans should not miss the Calstock Viaduct – best seen from Cotehele by the way.

With a short hop to the north we reach the second moor of our journey, Exmoor. It is a very varied, beautiful area, partly deeply wooded. Extensive hikes and tours are recommended, such as to Lynton/Lynmouth with the Valley of Rocks or to the “chocolate box”, the adorable village of Selworthy. A hike to Selworthy Beacon offers beautiful views of the Bristol Channel and inland, along with yellow-flowering broom and grazing sheep in spring. It’s also worth a detour to Dunkery Beacon, which is a feast for the eyes especially in late summer with flowering Heather. In Dunster you should visit the castle and the area has a lot of other things to offer. Tip: The TIC (Tourist Information Centre) in Dunster has excellent maps and expert advice for worthwhile excursions in the national park!

We leave Exmoor and drive west, where at least a stopover should be made at Montacute House in Somerset a stopover should be made. It’s not far to Glastonbury, the legendary Avalon. The Abbey is only a ruin, but still very worth seeing. Even more worth seeing is the cathedral of Wells – certainly one of the most beautiful ones in England!
In the city of Bath, the old Roman baths are well preserved or restored, and not far from the city is the village of Lacock. Countless historical films have been made in this unchanged environment – and the village is absolutely flooded by tourists during the day. In the evening from 6 p.m. onwards it is all the more beautiful. The same applies to the picturesque Castle Combe, just a little to the north. If you feel like it, make a detour to the ship’s staircase at Caen Hill in Devizes, where the canal boats torment themselves up the mountain via 29 locks.