We are leaving from the States in a week, planning a driving trip through Cornwall and Devon. Will have car for eight days from Bristol. How best to do this? Where to stay that is not touristy but rich in history and ambience? Particularly, B&B recommendations dearly appreciated.

ALL of Devon and Cornwall is rich in history, ambience and fabulous scenery. Plus touristy! Cornwall (along with the Lake District) is the biggest draw for UK tourists. You could go anywhere - almost every village has someting to offer. But travel can be very slow - especially on weekends. So instead of advising where to go, the best suggestion I can give you is to pick up the Michelin (green) guide to The West Country. You can find it in any good book shop. It describes every sight, town, etc, plus excellent suggestions for several good driving tours are mapped out. Everyone venturing into Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire should consider this resource.

I posted before adding info about B&Bs. Unless you are traveling in a large group (more than 5 or 6) you really don't need to book B&Bs ahead of time. Every town has a Tourist Information office - easy to find, just look for the lower case i in a brown or blue square. They offer a "book a bed ahead" scheme. You tell them where you want to visit and your price range and they call that area's TI office and make your reservation. There is a very small booking fee - less than 3 GBP - but this allows you to be very flexible and go wher the weather and your whims take you.

Did this same type driving tour 2 summers ago--unless you want to spend first 1/2 of each day looking for a place to sleep and aren't too picky--I'd advise booking ahead of time to better utilize your time in England--pick up a copy of "Small Charming BnB's and Manor house in England" -it's a tiny thin book with photos,phone no. and areas all divided up--we used it as a bible...and still use it now--can find some very unusal place to stay--Devon is great--lots of antiquing and please have their scones with clotted cream---it is THE best!!!

Thanks, Janis & Andy. Very helpful. Would either of you suggest staying several days at a few locations or one-nighting it at many different places? How did you do it, Andy? Any particular places you would say are "must-see, must-stay" or "forget it"?

We made a similar trip several years ago - took the train to Bristol and rented our car there. From there we drove to Chagford and stayed three days at the Bly House - which is definitely off the beaten path. This was our second visit to this particular B&B and thought it was very comfortable and charming. Chagford is a neat little village - has several good pubs for dinner and was easy to travel to many other spots during the day. Unless you like packing and unpacking, I would recommend staying at least two or three nights in different places. And we prefer to have advance reservations as we would never have found some of our favorite places otherwise. But I know other people who prefer to take 'pot luck' so it is strictly a personal preference.

For this short a trip I would stay in at most two location and use them as bases for day trips. This way you are not packing and unpacking all the time and can really get to know the village if you are there more than a night and off again. You could even spend the whole time in one - but the driving can be slow so maybe staying four night in North Devon and four in western Cornwall.<BR><BR>The reason I mentioned the book a bed ahead scheme is because when I first read your post I got the idea you wanted to move around. (If you do use it, it doesn't take up any of your sightseeing time. Say you are in St Ives and have decided you want to stay near Land's End? When you get into the village go to the TI office and leave your information. Then go about your business - sightseeing, shopping, fishing, whatever. Then go back to the TI office and they will have made all the arrangements for a B&amp;B near land's End including a map of how to get there. Couldn't be easier or more efficient.)<BR><BR>But if you want to reserve from here - there are many good books - look for one published in the UK. Better yet - do a websearch on any good search engine (google, Northernlight - which ever ones you like) Enter Cornwall bed and breakfast, or Devon B&amp;B, or look at a map and pick out a few villages an (Bude, St Ives, Bovey Tracey, etc.) and enter it. You will find hundreds of B&amp;Bs and Farmhouse accomodations throughout the two counties.

Great advice, Marilou and Janis. I like the idea of settling in rather than being on the go the whole time, even though time is limited. Northern Devon and Western Cornwall seem like good extremes. Now, can you narrow down which towns? Perhaps Chagford and St. Ives? Or? I have done the web search and am overwhelmed with the number of options!

You almost can't go wrong. but some suggestions (by no means exhaustive) In Devon you might want to stay a little ways inland so you are convenient to Dartmoor, etc. Someplace near Okehampton. Or if you want to be on the water -- Lynton/Lynmouth, Bideford or Clovelly (touristy but wonderful).<BR><BR>In Cornwall anywhere along the coast from Newquay around to Falmouth. From any of these villages you will be near St Michael's Mount, Lands end, St Ives, some terrific neolithic and celtic ruins, Truro, old tin mines, etc, etc.

janis-<BR>Great inventory of suggestions. Thanks. This gives me some concrete starting points. You've been very kind to stay on this thread.

You will love the area (just remember the roads may be slow on the weekends) This year bookings are down so it may not be as crowded as usual tho'. If you have any last minute questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me. Have a great trip!

David- we did the 2 nite- 2 nite- 2nite- 2 nite bit---we travelled to Bath, then on to Devon, then to Weston-super-mare and then to the cotswolds--but we were on a mission to antique and had to hit specific areas--if you are into antiquing and want to hit the great outdoor fairs--go to the website-www.antiquing-england.com...you can reach it thru google.com--have a great time

Janis gave you lots of good suggestions - we also stayed at St. Ives which was a larger town than Chagford, so it gave us a 'mix' - and St. Ives is located near Lands End, etc. and several fishing villages which were interesting. You really should see Clovely as it is so picturesque - probably that's why it is 'touristy' as Janis said. You'll have a great time anyplace you go - be sure and have scones with clotted cream! Wish I was going again this year...