Enchanting Devon & Consider Cornwall

Day 1

Today we travel to our hotel in Bideford with leisurely stops on the way

Day 2

Just over the county border, beautiful Bude is our stop in Cornwall. The award-winning resort is the perfect place to relax beside the seaside, and it has a laid-back atmosphere throughout the town. Take a stroll on Summerleaze Beach or hire a rowboat on the Bude Canal, whilst those looking to explore can find rock pools perfect for crabbing and a selection of quirky shops to browse. Do as much as you wish in this much-loved resort on the North Cornish coast; the day is yours.

Day 3

After breakfast today, we journey to the picturesque historic harbour of Ilfracombe. Here, why not enjoy the beautiful beaches and coves, fantastic eateries, and a range of museums, aquariums and unique attractions before we board this afternoon's wildlife cruise? Seals, dolphins, sunfish and porpoises all frequent this part of the North Devon coast. Keep your eyes open and your cameras ready as we pass majestic rock features, waterfalls, islands, and the Bull Point Lighthouse, originally built in 1879.

Day 4

Dartington Crystal is the UK's only remaining glass factory. Here, we have arranged a fascinating factory tour, where you can watch skilled glass makers in action on the factory floor safely from the viewing areas. We also visit RHS Garden Rosemoor, an enchanting sixty-five-acre garden featuring the largest rose gardens in the South West.

Day 5

Once the country's third-largest port, Bideford is overflowing with maritime heritage everywhere you look. Now a vibrant shopping hub, including the historic Pannier Market, enjoy the town at your leisure today. Bideford is also a place of culture, having been home to the author Charles Kingsley. If you're in the mood for nature and wildlife, regular boat trips to Lundy Island are the perfect way to see Devon's puffin population (not included, subject to availability).

Day 6

Explore the dramatic scenery of Dartmoor National Park, where wild open moorlands and deep river valleys offer a rich history and rare wildlife. We visit the villages of Bovey Tracey and Princetown, where you can see the National Park Visitors Centre in what was the old Duchy Hotel. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed here and started writing his famous Sherlock Holmes story, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'. We also visit Buckfast Abbey, home to a community of Benedictine monks who live self-sufficiently and welcome visitors from around the world.

Day 7

Clinging to a four-hundred-foot cliff, Clovelly's picturesque, ancient fishing village has no vehicular traffic, just donkeys! Once owned by the Queen of England, the area is now privately owned, which has helped preserve its unique atmosphere. However, please be aware Clovelly's famous cobbled streets can be steep and slippery, so watch your footing!

Day 8

We travel home today.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner