Our tour of South Devon takes in some of its oldest and most historic attractions set amidst the wild beauty of Dartmoor. It also includes Morwellham Quay, a railway journey and boat cruise.
Day 1 SUNDAY Journeying to the southwest, we arrive at our hotel in time for dinner and our 4-night stay.
Day 2 MONDAY Step back in time this morning as we visit the awardwinning Morwellham Quay which forms part of a World Heritage Site featuring the only open copper mine in the UK, made accessible to visitors by a riverside railway. Next, we make our way to Tavistock with free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of Buckland Abbey, part house, part museum, crammed with treasures and surrounded by meadows with magnificent views of the Tavy Valley.
Day 3 TUESDAY We visit the Mayflower Museum in Plymouth – a museum that explores the area’s seafaring history and the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower. Then we head to the Mayflower Steps, from where we enjoy a 1-hour return harbour cruise across the Plymouth Sound, past Plymouth Hoe and Drake’s Island, heading to the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Day 4 WEDNESDAY Today, we enjoy a return journey on the South Devon Railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, along a seven-mile stretch of line that runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart. In the afternoon, we have a scenic drive across spectacularly beautiful Dartmoor to Widecombe-in-the Moor, famed for its Widecombe Fair Poem and the adventures of old ‘Uncle Tom Cobley’!
Day 5 THURSDAY After breakfast, we make our way home.
Built in 1863, ‘The Grand Old Duke’ springs to mind for this striking hotel with its beautiful Victorian gothic architecture. Ideally located on the fringe of Plymouth’s vibrant city centre, just a short stroll from Plymouth Hoe promenade, and combines historical features such as the Grade II listed staircase with sympathetic modernisations. The 72 uniquely decorated bedrooms feature traditional furnishings and are equipped with a TV, telephone, Wi-Fi, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a lift.
