A spectacular tour that takes in the best of seafaring history, river folklore, marine life and history of the seafaring individuals.

The historic quayside of Exeter provides an excellent point with which to start the tour with its diversity of interesting activities to suit everybody. Whether its browsing the antique or craft shops, viewing the visitor centre showing the growth of the city through the ages, ambling along the cobbled pedestrian areas or hiring a small boat and drifting along the river, there are many things to do for the actively inclined. It is also a wonderful place just to sit and absorb the atmosphere, watching the action as it passes you by.

The English Riviera, only a short distance from Exeter with its famous resorts of Torquay, Torbay, Paignton and Brixham give excellent examples of why this coastline is so aptly named. Torquay with its tree-lined promenade, harbour and marina contrasts with Brixham, a popular working fishing resort. Take some time out to visit the many attractions in the area.

From Paignton, revisit the age of steam by taking a trip on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway. Gaze from the window as the train meanders leisurely along it's journey providing wonderful views along the river Dart and the Torbay coastline as far as Kingswear, where a ferry can be taken across the river to the historic town Dartmouth.

From its position on the hill above the town, the Royal Naval College dominates the landscape, while sheltered below the ancient port and fine period buildings are found by wandering narrow, winding streets and alleys. The town is host to many historic pubs that provide the imagery of seafarers and tall ships everywhere. Dartmouth Castle gives a wonderful vantage point with which to view the active harbour or gaze further out to sea. From Dartmouth quay it is possible to be the master of your own vessel, hiring a pleasure boat or be skippered on a cruise along the river Dart.

Continue your tour along the south Devon coastline and visit Salcombe which provides a sheltered, safe harbour for yachts, and is also a haven for artists with it's whitewashed houses and narrow streets on the Kingsbridge Estuary.

Plymouth, Devon's vibrant and largest city is only a stones throw from the edges of Dartmoor National Park and is home to a major port and naval base. A visit to the old Eddystone Lighthouse, now rebuilt on the grassy acres of Plymouth Hoe provides an excellent vantage point from which to admire the entire harbour with its naval and fishing vessels constantly passing.

Crossing over the Tamar river by ferry at Torpoint, the tour moves into the county of Cornwall, where the melodic voices of fishermen singing sea shanties still reverberates around quaint fishing villages. Looe, a small resort has developed around a former fishing village with a history of smuggling. With it's tidal estuary low water mark provides a haven for waders and other visiting birds, while the narrow winding streets of the village provide hours of walking and the constant desire to find out what's around the next corner.

Polperro, Portwrinkle, Polruan and Polkerris, the coastline is peppered with names that conjure up visions of picturesque fishing villages. The tour continues on to Fowey, pronounced 'Foy 'a working port where Daphne du Maurier lived and created many of her masterpieces. A visitor during May will be enthralled by the Daphne du Maurier Festival of Arts and Literature.

Further along the coastline be sure to visit Falmouth, a thriving port and fishing harbour where Henry VIII's Pendennis Castle faces St Mawes Castle across the broad natural harbour. Nearby, the village of Helford, with it's colour-washed cottages on the Helford River creates an artists dream and from here Daphne du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek can be reached by water. From here you can also visit the superb subtropical gardens located on the edge of the Helford River.

From Falmouth, take time to travel across country roving through country lanes to view St Michael's Mount, near Penzance. This great granite crag rises romantically from the waters of Mount's Bay and is surmounted by an embattled 14th century castle which can be reached by boat, or by walking across the sand at low tide.

If you find that you have enough time, be sure to take a helicopter or boat from Penzance for a day trip to the Isles of Scilly, only 45km south west of Lands End. Visit some of the attractions on St Mary's, the administrative capital of the islands, or travel to one of the off-islands, such as Tresco, with its sub-tropical Abbey Gardens. St Mary's is the largest of the islands and has excellent bathing beaches, spectacular views, craft shops, a museum and beautiful walks.

Close by, Lands End will also provide spectacular views this time across the Atlantic Ocean as, at this point you are standing on the most westerly point of the English mainland. The rugged coastline, coloured by the setting sun and seagulls and terns circling overhead will provide one of the most everlasting memories of your visit.

St Ives, situated on the north coast of Cornwall is an old fishing port and an artists colony full of character. Its also the home of the Tate Gallery, a superb building that offers a unique introduction to modern art and the stunning Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.

The dramatic South West Coastal Path continues along cliff edge and seashore to Newquay, with it's many beaches providing excellent windsurfing and wave riding opportunities.

From Newquay, continue your tour on to Tintagel, a coastal village near the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. With its medieval ruined castle on the wild, Atlantic coast, it provides an excellent spot to dream of Lancelot, Guinevere and the Knights of the Round Table. Further along the coast find the unspoilt fishing village of Clovelly, with its steep, cobbled street to the harbour, donkeys and sledges providing the only means of transport through the village.

The north coast of Devon provides incredibly beautiful landscapes, and the Victorian town of Ilfracombe, nestled between hillside and cliff with sandy coves, provides and excellent base from which to explore the region. From here the seaside towns of Lynton and Lynmouth can be reached easily along the coastal path and by passing through the Valley of the Rocks which offer dramatic views for walkers of the Bristol Channel. Lynton, a hilltop resort on the Exmoor coast is linked to Lynmouth by a very unusual water operated cliff railway.

Please note that that this tour is merely an overview of the spectacular wonders that the region has to offer and a general guide. There are many more fascinating places to visit that cannot all be mentioned in the space afforded here but please refer to the maps and further information provided within this site.

Back to Self Drive Itineraries