Devon and Dorset: Where to Base?

Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 07:23 AM
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Devon and Dorset: Where to Base?

Turns out we are going to have 5 nights in August of next year free. We will fly in from Verona (probably to Southampton) and rent a car. Definitely want to include a visit to Salisbury, too, for the cathedral if nothing else.

Would return the car to SOU and train to London for our final three nights.

Enjoying countryside in Devon/Dorset and perhaps a great house or two. Very VERY flexible and any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 08:30 AM
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Hi Dukey,

IMO there is plenty that you could see in and around Salisbury without going any further - Winchester, Mottisfont, the New Forest, Chichester Harbour, Brownsea Island - the choices are endless.

Or if you go further west, there are endless things to do in Dorset in and around Lyme Regis.

Or further north in Somerset around Wells.

I think what I'm saying is that if Salisbury is one of your goals, there's no need to go as far as Devon.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 08:35 AM
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I visited Dorset last year, having previously just driven through it on the way to Devon and Cornwall. I can certainly second the recommendation for Lyme Regis.

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...ut-lyme-regis/

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...ng-lyme-regis/

In addition to Anne's list, Portsmouth is not that far from Salisbury, and Chichester and Fishbourne Roman Villa are only a bit further.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 08:37 AM
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Thanks very much. This whole thing arose rather suddenly so I feel as if I am playing catch-up a bit.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 09:22 AM
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If cars are your thing and you are in the new forest depending on what part of August you are there you perhaps get to one of these events.
https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/ Choose the month.
Corfe Castle is a very historic village.
The road towards Andover visiting
Stockbridge
Danebury Iron Age Hillfort
Danebury Vineyards
Nether Wallop
Middle Wallop
Over Wallop
Grateley
Monxton
To see a load of chocolate box thatch roofed houses.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 11:52 PM
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Hi Dukey, I grew up in Dorset and clearly you have a lot of reading to do. I'd have a look at Bournemouth for any light opera (I'd not aim to stay there, just look). Finding a base in August should be ok if you book it now, but remember it is high season and there may be days where you just have to sit in a traffic queue. The roads are c##p.

There are a whole range of hill forts the best of which are next to Salisbury, Dorchester and Blandford once you have realised that all of these require you to walk to the top of a hill and that these earth banks have been eroded by 2000 years of rain/sheep/farming they must have been pretty big.

There are also a large range of tumuli (earth barrows) between Salisbury and Shaftesbury which are, to us just piles of earth. The Henge is worth a visit, but try and be there early before the coaches turn up.

Salisbuy cathedral is wonderful

Down on the coast there are some lovely walks, for me Chesil beach (google it) is the tops with its Swanery and a pop into Weymouth/Portland but others speak of Lulworth and the Jurasic path and others of Swanage and the walks from there (Swanage is just horrible in August). Corfe castle is interesting but in August....... aaargh

Bases vary depending on what you want to do. If up north I might look at Shaftesbury, if out towards Purbeck (but not on Purbeck) then Dorchester.

If you want a slightly urban environment with the sound of the sea and a slight hint of the tripper then Poole quay would be the place (I'm not recommending this at all, but the views and people watching is good) but you might find something nice in central Wareham (by the river with easy access to what could be described as a good road).

Devon; if you thought the roads of Cornwall were bad, welcome to Devon, they are worse.

I'm not trying to put you off just trying to put a bit of reality into a county I love.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 02:18 AM
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Devon; if you thought the roads of Cornwall were bad, welcome to Devon, they are worse. >>

not sure I agree there, Bilbo, but you're spot on with the rest of it.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 02:53 AM
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You will also have missed Dorset Arts Week https://www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk/ which is a fantastic fortnight (I know, but this is Dorset) with the chance to drop in on some great artists in their workshops. I have met some wonderful glass engravers, joiners and even the odd painter.

Ann, I'm probably being unfair but I have three words "A thirty five" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A35_road and remember this is the trunk road for the area.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 05:19 AM
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Though I love Lyme Regis and have spent several days there twice in the spring, it had as many visitors then as I'd want to compete with and doubt it would be bearable by my definition in August. I'd choose somewhere less popular inland.

It will obviously depend on what you decide to do, but there are so many village B&Bs near towns with amenities and sights that I'd decide on a target area first then look for a country place for your base from which, with a car, you can go in any direction. My favorite accommodations have been in the countryside when I have a car, no concern about parking and pubs in any direction for evening meals on your way home.

Decide soon then book asap for the most appealing places. Also, don't rule out pubs that offer rooms. More are offering newly done up accommodations at reasonable prices and I don't recall one I haven't liked, personal friendly service, breakfast in the pub in the morning.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 05:43 AM
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I was in Lyme Regis last year not just in August but at the start of Carnival and Regatta week - I got to enjoy the torchlight procession. It was somewhat crowded, but nothing like the photos I have seen of the Cinqueterre or St. Mark's Square in high season.

The free walking tour of the town (arranged by the T.I.) had just four other participants. The museum was more popular, but not difficult. On my country walk I saw very few people. The coffee shop mentioned by the tour guide that was just up a hill above the main street was largely deserted. When I walked the Cobb it was not crowded. I do recommend dinner reservations. Of course, if you want to lie on the beach you may have more problems.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 07:38 AM
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If you have not previously toured Buckingham Palace it will be open in August for your London visit. I really enjoyed it and am planning a third visit in September. The Queen's Gallery is not especially interesting. It is not in the palace but adjacent to it.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 07:42 AM
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On country walks there are always "very few people", I believe by definition. And the Cinque Terre would make a poor base for Dorset any time of the year. All things are relative and my personal preference is to try to go many places, including Lyme, off season. I stick by my opinion that the best base will be in the countryside, rather than a popular holiday town, especially in August.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 07:46 AM
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Ann, I'm probably being unfair but I have three words "A thirty five">>

I'll see your A35 and raise you an A30. BTF they have just spend a lot of money dual-carriage-waying one of the worst stretches round Temple, but that still leaves the 8 miles single carriageway stretch from Chiverton to Carland Cross which is a nightmare from beg July to end August plus every other school holiday and Friday evenings for most of the year.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 08:16 AM
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@MP - of course I was not suggesting the CT as a base, how on earth did you come up with that! I was comparing crowd size. And of course off season is always better (if the weather cooperates) but the OP is going in August. I was there in August, you were not. I did not find the crowds excessive.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 08:43 AM
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After the A30/35 anyone for the A 303?
There is no talk about Winchester.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9emdbuL12io
Roads in Devon look ok to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHoVoTfVSlU
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 08:57 AM
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We enjoyed driving thru desolate Dartmoor via the famous Buckfast Abbey to Clovelly - Clovelly is a one-of-a-kind - extremely popular when I was there (years ago but probably the same or more now) and a bit of a tourist trap but peering thru that veneer a neat old stone-built town with cobbled streets spilling down to the sea and a famous Life Saving/Coast Guard station. Donkeys which used to ferry tourists up and down steep main street are now gone however though there were a few penned up however.

Purists may diss it but I rather enjoyed it- for what it is - a very unique old untouched village in some ways and a tourist 'trap' in other ways (which I also enjoy!):

http://www.clovelly.co.uk/

https://www.google.com/search?q=clov...w=1536&bih=759

We enjoyed Buackfast Abbey not far from Exeter if I recall correctly and loved the tour - also the potent liqueuer they brothers conjur up. They also have various types of accommodation for general public should you want to find religion while you sleep!
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 08:59 AM
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https://www.buckfast.org.uk/
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 09:20 AM
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These are all interesting and I suspect worthwhile suggestions and I appreciate everyone's taking the time to make them.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 09:28 AM
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Ms thursday, you never seem to get the jokes so it wasn't really for you. I still stand by my recommendation of enjoying the countryside as a base, one of the best reasons I know for having a car in England.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 09:54 AM
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Bovey Tracey in Devon has a wonderful art centre, bring a big wallet
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