📍 United Kingdom

SOUTHWEST ENGLAND: DRAMATIC CLIFFS AND COASTAL VILLAGES

Granite cliffs plunging into turquoise coves, artist villages clinging to rocks. Southwest England, wild and romantic facing the Atlantic.

≈ 14
Days
811
Km
11
Stops
📖 7 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Journey along England's southwest coasts between harbors and legends. Explore Dartmouth and Plymouth, wander through St Ives, visit Penzance and Tintagel, discover Padstow and Newquay, then reach Bath and its Georgian elegance.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Salisbury

harbor town nestles between steep cliffs

Salisbury - Photo 1Salisbury - Photo 2Salisbury - Photo 3Salisbury - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Departure from London to the Southwest.
2
Stonehenge and its megalithic circle. (UNESCO).
3
Salisbury Cathedral, England's highest spire.
🎯

Activities

→
Guided tour of Stonehenge with audio guide.
→
Discovery of the Magna Carta in Salisbury.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 167 km
Travel time: 3h20
2
Day

Bath

moorland town guards cornish heart

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5 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Route to Bath via Exmoor National Park.
2
Dunster, medieval village and castle.
3
Arrival in Bath, elegant Georgian city.
4
Roman Baths of Bath, ancient jewel. (UNESCO).
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking in Exmoor among the deer.
→
Observing wild Exmoor ponies.
→
Relaxing spa session at Thermae Bath Spa.
+1 Optional activities
3
Day

Exeter

beach town rides endless waves

Exeter - Photo 1Exeter - Photo 2Exeter - Photo 3Exeter - Photo 4Exeter - Photo 5Exeter - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Exeter's gothic cathedral and its vaults.
2
Exeter Quayside, renovated historic district.
3
Totnes, alternative bohemian town.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Exeter canal.
→
Visit to RAMM, museum of art and archaeology.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 204 km
Travel time: 4h05
4
Day

Exeter

beach town rides endless waves

Exeter - Photo 1Exeter - Photo 2Exeter - Photo 3Exeter - Photo 4Exeter - Photo 5Exeter - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Dartmoor National Park, granite tors.
2
Villages of Widecombe-in-the-Moor.
3
Dartmouth, picturesque port on the River Dart.
🎯

Activities

→
Hike to Haytor Rocks, 360-degree panorama.
→
Visit to a Dartmoor pony farm.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 143 km
Travel time: 2h52
5
Day

Dartmouth

arthurian castle crowns dramatic cliffs

Dartmouth - Photo 1Dartmouth - Photo 2Dartmouth - Photo 3Dartmouth - Photo 4Dartmouth - Photo 5Dartmouth - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Dartmouth Castle guarding the estuary.
2
Start Point Bay and lighthouse.
3
Plymouth, historic port city.
🎯

Activities

→
River cruise on the Dart to Totnes.
→
Coastal hike to Blackpool Sands.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 53 km
Travel time: 1h04
6
Day

Plymouth

maritime heritage crowns devon coast

Plymouth - Photo 1Plymouth - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower.
2
Barbican, Elizabethan maritime district.
3
Eden Project, giant biomes and futuristic gardens.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to the National Marine Aquarium Plymouth.
→
Cruise to Drake's Island.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 52 km
Travel time: 1h02
7
Day

Bodmin

moorland town guards cornish heart

Bodmin - Photo 1Bodmin - Photo 2Bodmin - Photo 3Bodmin - Photo 4Bodmin - Photo 5Bodmin - Photo 6Bodmin - Photo 7Bodmin - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Lost Gardens of Heligan, Victorian renaissance.
2
Bodmin Moor, mysterious wild moorlands.
3
Crossing the wild Dartmoor National Park.
🎯

Activities

→
Exploration of the tropical greenhouses of the Eden Project.
→
Search for the Beast of Bodmin (local legend).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 55 km
Travel time: 1h06
8
Day

Penzance

cornish harbor faces atlantic fury

Penzance - Photo 1Penzance - Photo 2Penzance - Photo 3Penzance - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Arrival in Penzance, gateway to the English Far West.
2
Mousehole, authentic fishing village.
3
Lamorna Cove, secret granite creek.
4
Minack Theatre, open-air theatre on cliff.
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Easy hiking in Dartmoor among the tors.
→
Exploration of Penzance fishing port.
→
Walk across to St Michael's Mount.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 17min
9
Day

St Ives

fishing village becomes artist retreat

St Ives - Photo 1St Ives - Photo 2St Ives - Photo 3St Ives - Photo 4St Ives - Photo 5St Ives - Photo 6St Ives - Photo 7St Ives - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Contemporary art galleries in the alleyways.
2
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.
3
Coastal route to Newquay, surfing capital.
4
Fistral and Watergate Bay beaches.
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Coastal hiking on the South West Coast Path.
→
Surfing lessons on Atlantic waves.
→
Walk to Godrevy Lighthouse.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 47 km
Travel time: 57min
10
Day

Newquay

beach town rides endless waves

Newquay - Photo 1Newquay - Photo 2Newquay - Photo 3Newquay - Photo 4Newquay - Photo 5Newquay - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Camel Estuary Bay, estuarine landscapes.
2
Constantine Bay beach.
3
Tintagel Castle, legend of King Arthur.
🎯

Activities

→
Visit to Blue Reef Aquarium.
→
Seafood tasting at Rick Stein's.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 23 km
Travel time: 27min
11
Day

Padstow

cornish fishing port cooks fresh

Padstow - Photo 1Padstow - Photo 2Padstow - Photo 3Padstow - Photo 4Padstow - Photo 5Padstow - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Spectacular footbridge to the ruins on the island.
2
Merlin's Cave, legendary sea cave.
3
Constantine Bay beach.
🎯

Activities

→
Cycling along the Camel Trail to Wadebridge.
→
Exploration of dramatic medieval ruins.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24 km
Travel time: 29min
12
Day

Tintagel

arthurian castle crowns dramatic cliffs

Tintagel - Photo 1Tintagel - Photo 2Tintagel - Photo 3Tintagel - Photo 4Tintagel - Photo 5Tintagel - Photo 6Tintagel - Photo 7Tintagel - Photo 8Tintagel - Photo 9Tintagel - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Tintagel Castle, legend of King Arthur.
2
Spectacular footbridge to the ruins on the island.
3
Merlin's Cave, legendary sea cave.
🎯

Activities

→
Coastal hike to Rocky Valley.
→
Coastal hike to Rocky Valley.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29 km
Travel time: 34min

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🛡️ Travel advice - United Kingdom

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest daylight, peak tourist season, highest prices, festival season, ideal for all regions.

Spring (April-May): Mild weather, blooming gardens, fewer crowds, moderate prices, excellent for countryside, comfortable temperatures.

Fall (September-October): Pleasant weather, autumn colors, fewer crowds, good value, comfortable for sightseeing, cozy pub atmosphere.

Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, shortest days, Christmas markets, lowest prices, indoor attractions, cozy cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 11 and 17 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United Kingdom?

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