Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Isle of Wight
You'll leave London heading south to Portsmouth with time to wander around on your own. The Spinnaker Tower gives you great views across the city, or you could see King Henry VIII's Mary Rose warship if maritime history interests you. Historic harbour trails are also there if you prefer walking. After that, you'll board a ferry to the Isle of Wight, where there's time for drinks and snacks. Once you arrive, check out Quarr Abbey with its French, Byzantine and Moorish architecture mixed together, then settle into Shanklin village for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Quarr Abbey
Optional Activities
- Climb Spinnaker Tower for views of Portsmouth and Isle of Wight
- Follow historic harbour trails in Portsmouth
- Visit King Henry VIII's warship, the Mary Rise
- Enjoy drinks and snacks onboard ferry
Landmarks/POIs Spinnaker Tower Mary Rose Quarr Abbey - Day 2
Isle of Wight
This morning after breakfast, you'll see the island's key spots starting with Yarborough Monument, the tallest one on the island, and Brading Downs with its rolling green landscape. Osborne House comes next, Queen Victoria's former holiday home with Italian architecture and ornate golden rooms throughout. Later in the day you'll head to The Needles, those dramatic white rock stacks in the ocean. You can photograph from the shore or take an optional boat ride to get closer. Before heading back to Shanklin, stop at St Catherine's Down to watch the sunset over the cliffs and valleys.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Yarborough Monument
- Stop at Brading Downs
- Guided visit to Osborne House with house and gardens exploration
Optional Activities
- Boat ride to The Needles for closer viewing
Landmarks/POIs Yarborough Monument Brading Downs Osborne House The Needles St Catherine's Down - Day 3
Isle of Wight to Exeter
After taking the ferry back to Portsmouth in the morning, you'll travel to historic Winchester, which was the capital of Anglo-Saxon England. There's free time here to walk through the cathedral, see the Norman Great Hall, or check out local museums and cafes. You'll then meet your new guide and switch vehicles before heading to Stonehenge. The award-winning visitor centre has prehistoric artefacts on display, and you'll take a land train shuttle out to the stone circles themselves. From there, continue on to Exeter in Devon, a former Roman fortified settlement that'll be your base for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Return ferry Portsmouth to Isle of Wight
- Visit Stonehenge visitor centre
- Land train shuttle to Stonehenge stone circles
Optional Activities
- Explore Winchester Cathedral
- Visit Norman Great Hall in Winchester
- Browse local museums in Winchester
- Enjoy coffee in Winchester café
Landmarks/POIs Winchester Cathedral Great Hall Stonehenge - Day 4
Exeter and Dartmoor
You'll experience Dartmoor's windswept landscape with its rock formations and native ponies roaming around. Cross the historic Clapper Bridge at Postbridge and visit Tavistock, the market town where explorer Sir Francis Drake was born. By early afternoon you'll be back in Exeter with free time to explore at your own pace. The city walls, Norman cathedral, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, and the Quayside all have their own appeal depending on your interests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Traverse Dartmoor landscape
- Cross Clapper Bridge at Postbridge
- Visit Tavistock market town
Optional Activities
- Explore Exeter city walls
- Visit Exeter Norman cathedral
- Explore Royal Albert Memorial Museum
- Soak in ambiance of Exeter Quayside
Landmarks/POIs Dartmoor Clapper Bridge, Postbridge Tavistock Exeter Cathedral Royal Albert Memorial Museum - Day 5
Exeter to Falmouth via North Cornwall Coast
Travel to the North Cornish coast and arrive at Boscastle, an Elizabethan fishing village where you can have cream tea or walk along the headland. The Museum of Witchcraft here offers insight into spells and magic if that interests you. Next, you'll head to Tintagel to see the ruins of Tintagel Castle, which is believed to be where King Arthur was born according to legend. After lunch, continue on to Port Isaac, a fishing village famous from the TV show 'Doc Martin', and take in the scenic views before arriving in Falmouth for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Tintagel Castle ruins
Optional Activities
- Sample cream tea in Boscastle
- Stroll along Boscastle headland
- Explore Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle
- Explore Port Isaac village
Landmarks/POIs Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft Tintagel Castle Port Isaac - Day 6
Falmouth and West Cornwall
You'll explore England's most westerly point starting with St. Michael's Mount, an island community with its own character. See the unique Minack Theatre overlooking the ocean and Porthcurno beach, then head to Land's End, the furthest point from John O'Groats up in the far north. The area's known for Cornish tin mining heritage and appeared in the show Poldark. You'll see remnants of the mining industry throughout the landscapes as you go. End the day in St. Ives, a charming town with vibrant art galleries tucked into narrow streets by the harbour, then return to Falmouth.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit St. Michael's Mount
- Visit Minack Theatre
Optional Activities
- Explore galleries in St. Ives
Landmarks/POIs St. Michael's Mount Minack Theatre Porthcurno Beach Land's End St. Ives - Day 7
Falmouth to London via Glastonbury
After leaving Cornwall, you'll cross Bodmin Moor, a rugged moorland recognized as an outstanding area of natural beauty with a brief stop along the way. Then continue to Glastonbury where you can see the remains of a 7th-century Abbey. Lunch is at your own pace, and if you're up for it, climb Glastonbury Tor for panoramic views of five counties. Glastonbury hosts the UK's most popular music festival if that's something worth knowing. Your journey ends back in London at Victoria, marking the end of your tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore remains of 7th-century Glastonbury Abbey
- Climb Glastonbury Tor for panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Bodmin Moor Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Tor
