Devon and Cornwall: 5-Day Tour from London

Five days later, the far southwest feels close. This is the kind of trip that strings together Stonehenge, Roman Exeter, and the cliff-edge drama of Cornwall without the stress of planning. I like that Stonehenge admission is included, so you start your day with momentum, not ticket math. I also like the built-in time for short walks and scenery stops—Dartmoor is the standout. The one catch: your B&Bs are often on the edge of towns, so you may face a 20–30 minute walk for meals, and there’s typically no lift.

This tour also runs on a small, friendly scale (up to 16 people) using a top-of-the-range Mercedes minicoach—so you get a more personal rhythm than big-bus tours. You’ll follow landscapes linked to Rosamunde Pilcher’s books, then move through real history, from Anglo-Saxon Winchester to Elizabethan fishing villages. Just note that the itinerary packs in a lot of famous places; it’s not a slow, linger-all-day style.

Key things that make this tour worth your attention

• Small group size (max 16) on a 16-seat Mercedes minicoach, which keeps conversations and timing manageable
• Stonehenge + Tintagel Castle admissions included, removing two big-ticket “wait and buy” moments
• Dartmoor + Tavistock for moorland walking and the Francis Drake link in a classic market town
• Cornwall by variety: Boscastle, Witchcraft Museum, Port Isaac, St Michael’s Mount, Minack Theatre, Land’s End, St Ives
• Guides who mix stories with freedom, often explaining what to see, then letting you explore on your own between meet-up times

Warming up in Wessex: Winchester and the Stonehenge moment

Day 1 kicks off from Green Line Coach Terminal (Stance 3, Bulleid Way, behind Victoria Train Station area). You’ll travel through the old kingdom of Wessex, then arrive in Winchester, which feels like a history hub that never really stopped. The big draw here is the cathedral complex and the Norman Great Hall—this is where the trip gets its “how did England become England” start.

Then comes Stonehenge, one of those sites that works whether you’re into archaeology or just like atmospheric places. Since admission is included, you’re not burning time on logistics. The best move is to treat it like a pause button: give yourself space to look, not just snap photos. After Stonehenge, you continue to Exeter, where you’ll sleep for two nights—smart planning, because the rest of the week feels more relaxed with one base in place.

Practical tip: wear shoes that handle uneven ground. Stonehenge is historic, but the surface can still be a little rough around the edges.

Exeter as your launchpad: Roman streets, underground passages, and a cathedral you can’t ignore

Exeter is where the tour turns from “famous landmark” into “place you could actually live.” The schedule includes a Roman-town walk with underground passages and ancient walls. If you like learning without getting trapped in a museum, this kind of mixture hits well: you’re seeing remnants in context, not just reading about them.

You also get time at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and a 12th-century Norman cathedral. Even if you’re not a die-hard medieval fan, this stop helps you understand the spine of the region—Exeter is part market-town, part heritage center, and part gateway to Dartmoor.

A small-tour advantage matters here: with a group capped at 16, you spend less time herding and more time circulating. You can slow down at the bits that catch your eye and still make the meet-up times.

If you’re thinking about meals, don’t rely on a single restaurant. The tour doesn’t include dinners, so you’ll want an easy plan for where to eat near your guesthouse—or be ready to walk.

Dartmoor and Tavistock: Drake country and real moor air

Dartmoor is the kind of place that changes how you feel. One minute you’re in town rhythm; the next you’re surrounded by open moor and weather that does not ask permission. You’ll start with Dartmoor, then stop at Postbridge for the Clapper Bridge, and then move on to Tavistock, known for its market-town character and for being linked with Francis Drake.

The best part of this day, for me, is how it balances “big names” with grounding details. Clapper bridges and market towns are the sort of things you’d miss if you only chased icons. On this tour, you get both.

You return to Exeter early afternoon, which gives you breathing room. Later, you can explore Exeter at your own pace, using the morning’s context to spot what matters.

Walking note: Dartmoor can be muddy depending on season. Bring footwear you trust on damp ground, and pack layers—moors can go from mild to windy quickly.

Boscastle to Tintagel to Port Isaac: Cornish legend with real fishing-village texture

Day 3 is pure Cornwall flavor, and it doesn’t feel like one long museum day. First up is the North Cornish coast and Boscastle, an Elizabethan fishing village with a dramatic sense of place. You’ll have time for a cream tea, which is basically a Cornwall requirement for many people—then you can stroll toward the headland for views.

Then there’s a fun stop: the Museum of Witchcraft. It’s a playful counterpoint to all the “serious history” stops, and it gives you something different to do if the weather turns.

Next, you’ll reach Tintagel Castle ruins on the headland, famous for its Arthurian associations. This is the kind of ruin that benefits from the setting as much as the stones. The cliff-edge drama helps you feel why the story stuck.

After lunch, the tour heads to Port Isaac, where you can chase that familiar Doc Martin vibe while actually enjoying a proper working fishing village atmosphere. Then you continue south to Falmouth, your base for the next two nights.

Smart strategy: pick one or two stops to linger at and one to keep moving through. This day can feel fast if you try to “do everything everywhere” with no breaks.

St Michael’s Mount to Land’s End: the far west day that ties it all together

Day 4 is your “England’s far west” day. You visit St Michael’s Mount, then Minack Theatre, built into the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. Even if you’re not catching a performance, the structure and view combo is the point.

From there, you’ll also spend time at the National Trust beach at Porthcurno. This is a good reset after the more structured historic stops. You can walk, sit, and let your eyes adjust to the scale of the coast.

Then you hit Land’s End—a place that can feel touristy if you treat it as a checkbox, but becomes satisfying when you slow down and read the coastline. You’ll also pass through areas tied to Cornish tin mining heritage, with connections to where Poldark was filmed. That blend of industry history and media history is a real reason this day works: it turns scenery into a story you can place.

Finally, you end in St Ives, with narrow harbour-side streets and plenty of artist-galleries to browse if you feel like it. It’s a great end-of-day town because it’s easy to wander without needing a strict plan.

Bodmin Moor to Glastonbury: leaving Cornwall with wide views

On Day 5, you leave Cornwall across Bodmin Moor, an “area of outstanding natural beauty” with a wild moorland feel. You’ll get a break, then continue on to Glastonbury.

Glastonbury gives you a shift from coastal drama to spiritual-mythic atmosphere. You can visit the ruins of the 7th-century Abbey, grab lunch on your own, and—if weather cooperates—scale Glastonbury Tor for views across five counties. It’s a fitting finale because it mixes history ruins with a big, open horizon.

After that, you travel back to London, returning to a totally different world than the magical counties you’ve been walking through.

The small-group rhythm: how the day-to-day pacing really works

This trip uses a small group setup, and that changes everything about how it feels. You’re not stuck waiting behind a crowd. Instead, you tend to get explanations, photos, and then time to look around.

In practice, the driver/guide role often leans into background stories and clear meet-up instructions, with you exploring at your own pace at each stop. That matters for two reasons:

• You can spend extra time if something catches your eye.
• You’re not dragged along when you’d rather just stand and take in the view.

Guide quality seems to be a major highlight in feedback, with names like Jack, John, David, Neil, and June coming up alongside the same themes: friendly, upbeat handling of the group, and lots of practical local knowledge. If you want a guide who makes history feel human (and keeps the mood light), this style fits.

One caution: the days include lots of driving. If you’re sensitive to long transits, pack your patience and bring something to do on the ride.

Minicoach comfort and the value of tight planning

The transport is a 16-seat Mercedes minicoach, and you feel the difference compared with larger buses. Smaller vehicle means easier stops, less time lost to crowd management, and generally better group flow.

The itinerary also does smart “base management.” Exeter gets two nights, Falmouth gets two nights. That prevents the “sleep-drive-sleep-drive” blur that can drain energy on multi-day tours.

This kind of planning matters for cost too. At $1,180 per person for 5 days, you’re paying for:

• accommodation for 4 nights
• minicoach transport
• breakfasts
• included admissions to Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle
• the service of a driver/guide

Lunches and dinners are not included, so you’ll still budget for day meals. But with the guided stops built in, you’re not trying to pay separate admission and fight timing on the same busy route.

Where you sleep: en-suite rooms, stairs, and why outskirts matter

You’ll stay in small, locally owned guesthouses and B&Bs, with en-suite rooms. That’s a plus if you want character and quiet.

The trade-off is location and building layout. B&Bs are often on the outskirts, which means a 20–30 minute walk to pubs and restaurants. Also, many properties don’t have lifts, and stairs can be an issue—especially if you’re traveling with heavy luggage or have mobility constraints. If stairs are a concern, the tour says to let them know.

Accommodation quality doesn’t seem uniformly perfect in feedback. Some properties get praised as warm and welcoming, while there are also complaints about a tired place in one departure. That doesn’t mean your stay will be bad—just that this is the kind of tour where “small and local” can mean uneven standards across different buildings.

If you’re the type who likes predictable hotel amenities, you may want to consider that risk before booking.

Who this tour suits best (and who might feel frustrated)

This is a strong match if you want a guided small-group overview without giving up your freedom to explore on foot. It’s also ideal if you love variety: Roman Exeter, moorland walking, Arthurian cliffs, working fishing villages, and a high-coast day at the far west.

It’s not the best fit if:

• you need step-free access, given the mention that lifts aren’t available in these types of properties
• you dislike long driving days (the route is full)
• you’re traveling with a child under 5 (the tour doesn’t take children under that age)

Should you book this Devon and Cornwall tour?

If you want to see Devon and Cornwall in five days and still feel like you’re moving through real places—not just passing them—you’ll probably like this. The mix of included admissions, the small-group minicoach, and the way the schedule pairs big icons with moorland and village stops make it good value for the time you have.

Before you book, do two reality checks:

• Are you okay with some walking and potential stairs at B&Bs?
• Are you prepared to plan your own lunch and dinner (since those aren’t included)?

If you can say yes to both, this tour is a practical way to get the highlights of the southwest without the planning headache.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point in London?

Meet at Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria (London SW1W 9SH). It’s directly behind Victoria Train Station and diagonally across from Victoria Coach Station.

How big is the group?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 16 participants.

What’s included in the price?

You get 4 nights of accommodation, minicoach transport, breakfasts, and a driver/guide. Admission is included for Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle.

Are lunches and dinners included?

No. Lunches, dinners, and refreshments are not included (and entry fees are not included unless specified).

Which attractions have admission included?

Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle are both included.

What kind of accommodation should I expect?

You stay in small, locally owned guesthouses and B&Bs with en-suite rooms. Many B&Bs sit on the outskirts of towns, and you may walk 20–30 minutes to reach pubs and restaurants.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

No. The tour doesn’t carry children under 5 years.