Cornwall /Devon Driving Tour
 

My parents and I are meeting in England in early October to do a 2-week driving tour of the Cornwall and Devon areas. Any comments, suggestions, or advice on our itinerary as follows: We're arriving on the same day, October 7th, and around the same time but at different airports (Heathrow for the parents and Gatwick for me). We figure on meeting in London, spending the night at a B&B near Paddinton Station and then heading out early in the morning by train to Exeter where we'll rent a car and tour Cornwall and Devon for about 13 days. (We had planned on the reverse for the trip home on the 22nd.) We hope to stay in reasonably priced B&Bs or on farms. We want to be flexible but I'm worried about accomodations. Should we make reservations or can we wing it?

Also, anyone have experience with minicabs from central London to Gatwick? My flight leaves mid-morning. I've read that a taxi would be around 90 GBP. Can I expect half that for a minicab? I'd prefer not to fuss with coaches or trains when pressed for time.

Any thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

We had no problems winging it on finding B&Bs in Devon and Cornwall in June a few years ago. I think you would be fine in October. We generally found ours just in the course of driving around, though many towns will have a tourist info office that will have listings and can help check availability for you. Another option you might consider is National Trust cottages (or Landmark Trust); they require minimum stays and advance reservations though.

W/ 13 days in the SW I definitely consider renting a cottage for at least one week. For the other 6 days you can rent another cottage or do a couple of 2/3 days B&B stays. There are AMAZING cottages all over Devon and Cornwall. The Landmark Trust and National Trust have a few - a bit more expensive than many others but really unique properties.

these agencies will get you started
http://www.cornishcottageholidays.co.uk/
http://www.helpfulholidays.com/index.asp
http://www.hideaways.co.uk/

As for getting to LGW from London - the train is actually the easiest - and by far the fastest. A car service will be around £50 - £55 plus tip and take 90 mins to maybe 2 hours. The train from Victoria takes 30 mins. and costs £11.

Please try to get over the the Scilly Isles off the coast of Cornwall. You go by helicopter from Penzance. These islands are so beautiful and feel almost undiscovered. At that time of year you will feel like a local, I'm sure.

There is a tropical botanical garden in the ruins of an old Abbey right next to where the helicopter lands as well as a beautiful beach so you can do it as a day trip if necessary.

The Scilly Isles are in a warm Atlantic current and have the weather, beaches and vegetation of tropical islands. So special!!!

You shouldn't have trouble in October. Sometimes I bring a list of potential places and then call one that morning if it looks as if it will fit our plans.

As previous posters suggest, you might be more comfortable renting a self-catering place for part of the trip. In October many cottages will offer stays of 3 or 4 nights rather than a week. You'll find some lovely accomodations on farms (if that's what you'd like), or in quaint villages in Devon / Cornwall and with a 2-bedroom cottage (for instance) you'll get more space to relax.

At any rate, I would stay 2 or 3 nights in one spot. It's easy to do day trips from a central location and you won't get as weary packing and unpacking.

Thank you for the cottage recommendations. I hadn't really thought of having a "base" down in Cornwall and doing day trips, but it makes sense. The Scilly islands seemed a bit out of the way, but sound wonderful and I guess distances aren't all that great. We definitely want to enjoy little out of the way places, fishing villages, and the coast and Scilly might be a wonderful addition to our trip. Thanks again for the tips!

I did a day trip to Scilly. Easy peasy!