kiwipete

We are 2 Kiwi Couples in our early 60's, fit and keen to have a good time. We now have an extra 6 days to see the Cornwall region as our trip to the Goodwood Festival of Speed has been re arranged due to the date change in July 2013.
We arrive at Gatwick Airport Monday lunch time and pick up a rental car and will have till the following Monday before we need to be at Bognor Regis. Happy to drive 3/4 hrs to first location. We would ideally like to either stay at 2 different locations for 3 nights each or possibly stay at one location for 6 nights and do day trips.
Happy to drive up to 150 miles a day from our base, like to see coast and small towns, budget 60 to 90 Pounds per couple per night for either B&B, Hotel or appartment.
Would welcome ideas on locations, places to see and stay or do day trips too. We have no ideas at presnt, as this week of our 4 week trip has just been added yesterday.
Thanks for your help

joanw

Hi, We rented an apartment in Mousehole(yes, Mousehole,pronounced Mouzzle), a tiny, charming fishing village.From there we took day trips to the Tate in St. Ives, a tin mine, the Minack Theater, which is hand carved into a cliff overlooking the ocean, Penzance. I don't remember the apartment name, but check VRBO, Homelidays and HomeAway for rentals. It's a lovely area, non touristy, with good local restaurants. Enjoy. Joan

janisj

You won't get to Cornwall in 3 to 4 hours. So you'll probably have a one night stand in Dorset or Devon. But are you sure you want to drive right a long haul flight? Even though you are used to driving left - jetlag is still an issue.

I'd consider catching a train from LGW to Plymouth (or maybe Exeter) and spend that day car-less. Then collect a rental car after a good night's sleep.

Don't plan on many 150 mile drives in Cornwall or the SW. In scenic areas 150 miles will take about 5 hours.

kiwipete

Hi Hanisj
We are flying in from Dublin, will have had 5 after long haul flight

indy_dad

We stayed in Penzance and Falmouth last August. Photos and such here:

http://ukfrey.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/cornwall.html

annhig

hi Pete,

there are many choices for overnighting on your way to Cornwall - [proceeding west] from Winchester, to Salisbury, Shaftesbury and Sherborne.

after that, you have the option of either spending 3 nights in 2 places, or 6 in one. you could choose to split your time between the east and west of the county - you could pick, say, Looe and Truro, or go for two places further west, like Falmouth and Penzance, or Penzance and St. Ives or Padstow.

what do you like to do? walking is probably best in the west along the spectacular north coast, if you want boats I'd go for Falmouth, if you want a nice central base, Truro [where I work] is a good choice.

why not have a look at steve's excellent blog then post some more queries - I'd love to help you plan your trip!

kiwipete

Thanks for feedback have taken points on board ,have been away on Holiday enjoying a hot summer in NZ.
We are now looking at perhaps only going as far as Devon and doing day trips from there. Looking for nice 2 bedroom both with double beds + 2 bathroom apartment for 6 nights early July 2013

annhig

well, pete, I'll be sorry not to be able to welcome you to Cornwall, but Devon also has some great places to see.

i would particularly urge you to look at north Devon - the coastline is spectacular, particularly around Hartland point, there are some fascinating places to see [Bideford, Appledore, Clovelly] and it doesn't attract too many crowds.

plenty of holiday cottages in Appledore, certainly.

kiwipete

Well plans changed again, we are now booked to stay 6 nights in Dartmouth. (others didn't want to pack and unpack or have bags in cars while sightseeing)
I am keen to see as much of Cormwall as I can get too, don't mind early starts and driving for a couple of hours to get there. Would like you suggestion on places to visit. Looking for small seaside towns, beaches, one or 2 castles, walks upto 1 hour.
Look forward to your feed back

annhig

Honestly, Pete, i think that you will find quite enough to do in and around Dartmouth that to be driving long distances to see a bit of cornwall [and not the best bits] would not be worthwhile.

all that you mention, with the exception of castles [and Cornwall hasn't got too many of those] you will find much closer to home.

places to visit nearer to Dartmouth:

Salcombe [gorgeous sailing town] Slapton [lovely village with thatched cottages and a long beach] Totnes [historic town] Kinbsbridge [ditto] Greenaways [Agatha Christie's home], Coleton Fishacre [the home of the D'Oyly Cart family] Castle Drogo [castle and gardens] etc. etc.

here's a little map of all the National Trust properties in Devon:

http://www.devon-calling.com/national-trust.htm

of course there are many others and if you are interested in gardens, the Garden House is a particular favourite:

http://www.thegardenhouse.org.uk/

if you just MUST do a trip over into Cornwall, you might want to take a look at Tintagel, which combines and ancient castle [sadly, not much left] and a fabulous site on the cliffs of the north cornish coast. it's a good 2 hour drive though, even with no hold-ups.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...ntagel-castle/

hope this helps - I'm sure you will enjoy Dartmouth.

janisj

Excellent info from annhig. I stayed a week once near Salcomb and there are TONS of things to see in south Devon and Dartmoor. Could easily have stayed there 2 weeks. We only ventured out to Cornwall one day (St Michael's Mount and thereabouts).

Be sure to visit Slapton Sands if you are at all interested in WWII.

kiwipete

Hi Janisji
Always appreciated your feedback and comments over the last couple of 2 or 3 yrs

Annhig
Thanks for website links and comments

All taken on board, we hope to just have 6 days of easy going but us kiwis also try to see as much as possible as we may never be back again. We say that every trip and this is 4th time in UK in 8 yrs.

janisj

"<i>. . . but us kiwis also try to see as much as possible as we may never be back again.</i>"

One thing - travel around South Devon/Dartmoor/Cornwall can be exceedingly sloooooow. Some of the narrowest roads you'll encounter anywhere in the country. I wouldn't try to venture too far.

Besides >><i>We say that every trip and this is 4th time in UK in 8 yrs.</i><< . . .

annhig

All taken on board, we hope to just have 6 days of easy going but us kiwis also try to see as much as possible as we may never be back again. >>

lol - but you don't want to spend the majority of it in the car, do you?