We wish to take the train from London to Bath, pick up a rental car and travel to Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. We will not be staying Bath as we have been there previously and have also visited Stonehenge on another trip.
We would like recommendations for an 8 night trip through the above areas, perhaps staying two nights at each locality. We prefer small towns/villages to larger places.
We are interested in ruins, museums, local beaches and good local food.
We realise from other information that Cornwall is difficult to drive - the roads are apparently very narrow - we are not concerned about narrow roads, but wondering if in addition to narrow, they have lots of curves where we may not be able to see around the corners.
We are from Australia and used to driving on the left hand side of the road - my husband (in his mid 60's ) has driven in Europe and the U.S. so not concerned about the driving itself.
Hopefully this forum will give us some assistance with a driving plan.

Just time for a quick comment . . . since you don't want to visit Bath, I'd consider taking the train to Bristol Temple Meads instead of Bath. You'd then take the airporter bus a few miles to the airport and get your car there. You'd be right next to the motorway headed into the SW w/o having to drive IN Bath which can be a pain.

Or maybe take the train to Exeter instead, tour southwest and then back up through Dorset and drop the car at LHR or wherever you are going next.

Yes the roads are narrow AND curvy . . .

***we are not concerned about narrow roads, but wondering if in addition to narrow, they have lots of curves where we may not be able to see around the corners.***
Country roads yes.
Examples
http://www.southcotswoldramblers.org...M/DSCN3967.JPG
http://images.travelpod.com/tw_slide...blackawton.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTfCRXLAAok
A roads can be wider but twisty and B roads can be a mixutre of narrow and wide roads but equally twisty.

Going south to Dorset. I'd look at some of

Warminster to SHaftesbury (nothing much in Warminster so take the ring road) Shaftesbury is worth a stop for lunch, then look closely at the map and take the ridge road parallel and to the east of the A350. (some fun driving and the views are exceptional) this road is of course the ancient military road.

You could have gone onto Salisbury plain but you decide. All you are missing is Stone Henge, Old Sarum, Salisbuty Cathedral (probably the prettiest Cathedral in the country) so not much...

Blandford, interesting old town, From Bladford go to Wimborne minster but visit Badbury Rings and ancient hill fort on the way. Good eating and accom in Wimborne, plus the church is a wonder.

Poole harbour is pretty lovely if busy. Maybe take the chain ferry over to Studland then into Swanage, unles you want to walk to Old Harry rocks.

From Swanage visit Corfe Castle and then Lulworth and the Jurassic coast walk. Up to Dorchester, perhaps visit P Charles's village development there and if you are a Thomas Hardy fan loads to do around here before you head west along the roman road which follows the Piddle and the site of the Tolpuddle Martyrs (deported for a period to Australia for their crimes against capital)

Other sites in the areas include the tank museum and Chesil Beach (see also the swanery)

Then you are into West dorset and I give up.

If you follow bilbourgler consider staying at Plumber Manor outside of Shaftsbury. A wonderful old manor house with an excellent restaurant and interesting historY

There is a lot to see and to do in the area. I personally found North Devon overwhelming - a scenic coast, picturesque villages, surprisingly good local food (clotted cream!), scenery and history.

You might like to read my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...of-england.cfm

So much information - thank you all - we were especially interested in the photos and the extensive Trip Report.
On the weekend we will sit down with our map and plan our journey.

Hi Avidtraveller

Not sure if you are still on this forum. If so, I would be interested to hear how you went on your trip to Bath, Cornwall and Dorset given I am currently looking into doing the same some time next year.

Many thanks.

s

swagman: The OP hasn't been on the forums in over a year. You might want to start a new thread of your own . . .