janyceh

Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated on our itinerary.

10Sep arr LHR fr SFO 7:10AM-coach/train to Bath-Three Abbey Green B&B

13Sep Sat train to Truro-Royal Hotel PUP car Mon

15Sept-Bissick Old Mill Guest House Ladock

18Sep drive to Exeter-Raffles

20Sep turn in car-I fly to Paris (thanks Janis and Ira for idea) Hus makes way to Dartmouth to meet group for walk thru Dartmoor/Exmoor.
I stay Hotel Bonaparte in Paris

27Sep I meet up with hus and group in Taunton-The Castle Hotel-My flight arrs Exeter-train to Taunton

29Sep Mon PUP car move to Greyhound Inn, Staple Fitzaine

4Oct-train to London--The Commodore Hotel

7Oct Dep LHR for SFO

I have researched and read some trip reports on this area for ideas of places on the must see list, but all suggestions are welcome. Also, do my plans sound reasonable. I must work around my husband's walk-no flexibility there. As for Paris I have been there several times on my own and with others, but will probably start another threat about that. Also, we have been to London several times--Hampton Court is on my list.

janyceh

Second call for comments on my itinerary. Also suggestions on places to visit on days we have a car.

I am feeling lonely out here.

Jan

Cholmondley_Warner

It looks fine - and full enough as it is IMHO.

Cathinjoetown

I haven't replied earlier because firstly Gadgetman keeps telling me to get a life (I justify spending time here because I enjoy it and have received some great answers myself)and I didn't recognize either Staple Fitzaine (still can't find it on Mapquest) or Ladock, which I did find. Looks as if you'll be in Bath for two days and a half days--there's plenty to see there but it's possible to see quite a bit in a day--Roman excavations under the Regency spa/pump room are very interesting, also the abbey and the assembly rooms and its costume exhibit, Royal Crescent, etc--all very Jane Austenish. I think it's Longleat House near Bath which has an outstanding wildlife park, if that's your thing--the house itself has some excellent art and treasures.

So, commenting on what's near Ladock, which I did find on the map, you have very easy access from there to both the south and southwest coasts. I think St. Ives is worth a day trip (don't even waste time trying to find a parking space in town, park at the park-and-ride at the leisure center and take the bus down and back to the harbor). Be sure to see the Tate St. Ives (or Tate Southwest), the Barbara Hepworth house and studio and also her sculpture of the Madonna and Child in the local church (locked last time I was there but it's not out of the way to check as it's near the harbor.) The harbor front gives you views of the most amazing high/low tides and it's been cleaned up some--there are the typical English sea side places, which are fun, but some more serious restaurants--still casual.

Megavissey is kind of interesting but dirty, I would drive on through to Portmellon which has a pretty cove and a great pub--you can't miss it. Fowey is pretty--associated with Daphne du Maurier--recommend using the park and ride at the top of the town and walk or take the little shuttle bus down to the harbor. Great place for lunch right on the harbor--the Blairs ate there and their signed portrait is on the way to the loo--kind of amusing. Talland Bay is a nice cove with a snack bar and picnic tables and Polperro is interesting. The coast path is fairly easy for me(I am not very fit) but your husband may have had enough of walking. There's the Eden Project, Lost Gardens of Heligan (terrific) and National Trust properties in the area. Don't know Truro itself other than the cathedral, but it's quite central. Truro is close to Ladock, not sure why you're moving but no matter--I personally would rather stay in smaller places such as Ladock.

On your return from Paris, can't really comment on Taunton or Staple Fitzaine.

So, those are my comments so you shouldn't feel lonely now. Have a great trip, I've spent many happy times in Cornwall--we will be with our kids near Looe (Downderry) in late August. If I discover anything else, I'll post it here.

janyceh

Thanks for the suggestions. We are staying in Truro because of car pick-up. We leave Bath on Sat morning-cann't arrive in Truro before 1PM for car--closed on Sun. Therefore, I though it best to stay put and lv Truro w car Monday. My husband needs 3 days in Bath for downtime after a long flt-SFO/LHR. He does not adjust to time change well. Such is life.

VirginiaC

From Truro, you can get public transportation to the Eden Project, fabulous garden experiment in an old clay pit, as I recall. The gardens at Trellisick (sp?) are also lovely in a more conventional style and the cab ride out is not too expensive.

Cathinjoetown

Janyceh,

I can think of a lot worse places to spend time than Bath--it's a wonderful walking city. In addition to the things I already mentioned, there's a pretty park by the river which is great for picnics.--Cath

Betweentwobridges

Once had a home on the Helford Passage not far from Frenchman's Cove and that is a really beautiful area as well. Mousehole is interesting and from there the small coastal road will bring you down into Lamorna Cove and that is a small gem. If you have the time while in Bath take a short side trip to Wells and tour the cathedral and bishop's palace and gardens. Wells is smaller, more accessible and has a certain mystery to itself.

janyceh

Staple Fitzaine is near Taunton. We will have 5 days there. It seems close to Wells and Glastonbury plus places north and south. Jurassic Coast is a possibility, is it not? Is the Cheddar Gorge doable as a day trip?

Thanks Cath and others for help.

Jan

Cathinjoetown

The Taunton area is an easy drive up to Wells and Glastonbury but a separate nice day out is along the North Devon coast--beautiful scenery. The towns of Lynton (on the cliff) and Lynmouth (on a small harbor)are a nice place to stop. They are linked by a vertical tram. The Rising Sun Hotel in Lynmouth has excellent meals in its pub and at night does a dinner service in its dining room--both open to the public (book for the dining room).

Steve_James

Hi Jan - Cheddar is close to Wells. In fact you can easily combine Wells, Cheddar and Glastonbury as a day-trip from Taunton.

I second the suggestion of North Devon. The Dorset (Jurassic) coast is also an easy day-trip, as is East devon.

Lots of options ...

Steve

kleeblatt

For a two-year-old trip report about Glastonbury, North and South Devon, Stonehenge and more see

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34841198

janyceh

Shuler

Loved your report. For some reason I could not access it earlier.

According to a couple of today's posts the weather in SW England has not been great and tourists are staying away. Oh well, we will do our best to help the economy. Maybe the weather gods will take pity on us and halt the rain for awhile.

I thank everyone who has given me suggestions on where to go and what to do. Maybe it is time to stop researching, or maybe not. Three weeks before we leave. So much to do.

Jan

getcarter

Must visit Cheddar - THE English cheese

traveller1959

If you like to read another trip report on Bath, Wells, North Devon and the Cotswolds:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35148574

It is from July 2008.

annhig

Hi janyceh,

i was going to ask why Truro [where i work] AND Ladock but now I know.

in 1 1/2 days in Truro [before you pick up your car] and probably best in this order:

go shopping in the many specialist shops, [they are shut sundays]

have dinner in one of the excellent restaurants [my choice would be Gaudi's in Edward Street]

Attend a show at the Hall for Cornwall [on 10/9 they've got the camborne Town Band and the cornwall boys' choir in which case have supper at Mannings, which is the Royal's own restaurant which does a very good pre-theatre dinner]

attend sunday service in the cathedral featuring the cathdral choir,

train to Falmouth, [harbour, beaches, maritime museum, lunch at one of the hotels or the gylly cafe on Gyllingvase beach]

supper back in Truro.

Once you've got your car -

The Eden Project,

Trelissick gardens, then catch King Harry Ferry over to the Roseland, go down to St. Mawes then back via the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

[or drive to falmouth, park at the park and float, and get the boat up to Trelissick or along the Helford]

Drive to the Helford and visit Trebah gardens [great cafe for lunch] including beach where D.Day landings were launched, and Nat. Trust garden next door

One day drive [long day] to Penzance and St. Ives, starting in PZ at the excellent Penlee House Gallery and museum, [another exccellent cafe, but there are other really great restaurants in PZ] then tour St. Micheal's mount, ending up at St. Ives in the evening for early supper [cheaper!] thus avoiding the appalling parking problems during the day.

and that doesn't cover lots of the places others have mnentioned like Fishygissey, Fowey, Looe, Lamorna Mousehole, etc. etc.

hope that helps,

regards, ann