West England’s Legends – 7 Days

Departing London, travel west to the stunning UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath. The city oozes Georgian opulence with grand regency architecture, sweeping terraces and cobbled market places. Architectural highlights include the Elizabethan Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the romantic Pulteney Bridge as well as several quality museums and. Round off your day with a visit to the city’s magnificently preserved Roman Temple and Baths.

• Accommodation: overnight in Bath
• Distance: 100 miles / 160 km, 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.), if starting at Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: Bath City and Roman Baths.

DAY TWO – Lacock Abbey, Glastonbury and Wells Cathedral

A short drive from Bath you’ll find the tiny village of Lackock, steeped in history and home to the stunning Lackock Abbey, this village has been used in TV and film productions of Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter. On route through Somerset’s Mendip Hills you may stop at 14th century Farleigh Hungerford Castle or the town of Wells, home to a stunning Cathedral and Bishops Palace. Lastly to Glastonbury, spiritual capital of England shrouded in Myth; both Glastonbury Abbey and Glastonbury Tor hold connections with Arthurian Legend and the Holy Grail.

• Accommodation: overnight in Taunton.
• Distance: 0 miles / 115 km, 1 hour 35 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Lacock Abbey, Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury.

DAY THREE – Dartmoor, Devonshire Castles, Tintagel and the Cornish Coast

Continuing in to Devon you pass through the eerie and remote landscapes of Dartmoor with an opportunity to stop at some Devon’s finest and contrasting castles such as Tiverton Castle, Okehampton Castle and Launceston Castle. Passing in to Cornwall make your way to King Arthur’s Tintagel and Merlin’s Cave before exploring the dramatic Cornish coast of craggy clifftops, fishing villages such as Padstow and sweeping sandy bays at Newquay and Perranporth.

• Accommodation: overnight in Falmouth
• Distance: 130 miles / 210 km, 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Dartmoor, Cornwall and Tintagel.

DAY FOUR – Land’s End, Penzance and St Michael’s Mount

Begin day four in Falmouth with a relaxing stroll along the harbour, one of town’s four picturesque beaches or by exploring the Tudor Fortress of Pendennis Castle. Then head for the tiny village of St Ives, a hippy hangout for artists and poets before visiting the very tip of Britain, Land’s End and Penzance where you can wander Trengwainton Gardens or venture across the causeway to the island of St Michael’s Mount home to a medieval castle and celtic monastry.

• Accommodation: overnight in Falmouth
• Distance: Land’s End, Penzance and St Michael’s Mount are within a short drive from Falmouth.
• Highlights:  Land’s End and St Michael’s Mount.

DAY FIVE – Eden Project, Buckland Abbey and The East Devon Coast

Returning north, stop at the Eden Project in St Austell, a disused tin-mine which now houses a stunning botanical gardens and plants from around the globe. Crossing back in to Devon discover a wealth of hidden gems including the 13th century cistercian Buckland Abbey, and some of East Devon’s Victorian beach resorts such as Paignton, Torquay and Dawlish each home to painted beach huts, seafront promenades and grandiose piers. Totnes Castle, Berry Pomeroy Castle and Kent’s Cavern are all worth a visit.

• Accommodation: overnight in Exeter or Exmouth
• Distance: 100 miles / 160 km, 2 hours (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Eden Project, Buckland Abbey and Paignton.

DAY SIX – Hardy’s Dorchester and Salisbury Cathedral

Following the south coast in to Dorset and Dorchester you can discover the town that inspired Thomas Hardy including Tess of the D’urbervilles perhaps making a visit to the Dorset Museum and Hardy’s Cottage or alternatively heading south to Weymouth and Henry VIII’s coastal fortress of Portland Castle. From here make your way to Salisbury to discover the historic city of Salisbury home to cobbled streets, market squares and Britain’s tallest cathedral spire.

• Accommodation: overnight in Salisburt
• Distance: 100 miles / 160 km, 2 hours (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Portland Castle and Wells Cathedral.

DAY SEVEN – Stonehenge, Avebury and Old Sarum

On your final day explore mysterious stone circles and prehistoric ruins such as the Neolithic Old Sarum the iconic Stonehenge and the lesser known but equally enigmatic stone circle at Avebury and the Avebury Museum. Returning East towards London you may choose to visit the stunning Windsor Castle.

• Distance:  70 miles / 115 km, 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.), based on a route to Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: Avebury, Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.

Return your vehicle.