Curator’s statement
An exploration of southwest England would be a rewarding experience for many reasons. All along the way, you'll be mesmerized by luxury castle hotels, nourished by talented chefs, and enchanted by adorable towns. If you're a first-time visitor, it's an incredible region to discover. I've done this route solo, but it can be absolutely wonderful with family!
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Day 1: Arrive in London
Fly in to London and collect your rental car. If you can, flying in to Bristol will make your trip a bit easier. Grab a quick lunch on the way out of town and drive to Stonehenge. Spend about two hours exploring the area and looking through the exhibits. The area is accompanied by an audio guide that can be downloaded. The app will need to be downloaded when you have wifi in advance if you do not have a data plan or local SIM card. Be sure to bring headphones! Once you're done exploring head to the city of Bath.
Day 2: Explore Bath
Today, explore beautiful Bath! There's something about Bath that captivates you from the first moment you see it. Georgian architecture dominates the city, along with the Roman Baths and the towering Bath Abbey. Be sure to check out Bath Abbey, The Roman Baths, Pulteney Bridge and the rather interesting Fashion Museum. Remain in Bath for the night.
Day 3: Walk around Bristol
After breakfast, head to Bristol. The old industrial port is now home to lively restaurants and museums. There are a lot of fascinating museums and cultural areas of the city to walk around. If you arrive there with a rough plan, you’ll be able to see everything you want to see in just two days in Bristol. Check out The Christmas Steps, Cabot Circus, Cabot Tower and the old port.
Day 4: Travel to Cornwall
Wake up and head to Cornwall. Cornwall is splendid for its relaxed atmosphere and (of course) its beaches. It’s a great place to go and spend time with the family, turn off those screens and just enjoy time together. Cornwall covers a lot of territory with gorgeous beaches, cliffsides and loads of little towns that are worth an aimless walk. With only a week, you can’t see it all, so I recommend getting on the road and heading straight down to Newquay on the North coast. There are some truly spectacular views in this area of Cornwall, including the Bedruthan Steps, which you’ll find just North of Newquay.
Day 5: Explore more of Cornwall
Take today to really dig into Cornwall. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, which are the most popular botanical gardens in the UK, are a wonderful place to start. Find your way through Fowey and Devon, making your way to Exmouth, with it's beautiful Georgian architecture.
Days 6 & 7: Travel back to London or Bristol
Day 6: Head back to the city from which you'll fly out today. If in London, explore London. If in Bristol, explore harbourside for some fun. Take it easy so you're refreshed for your day of travel tomorrow!
Day 7: Fly home after your exploration of the Southwest of England.
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For more travel tips, check out my guides to London: To-do & To-eat: A Lively London Respite and 5 "Can't Miss" Meals in London; and my guide to Scotland: A Relaxing & Active Jaunt through Scotland.