Gatwick to Cornwall where to stop over?
 

Hello, any ideas for somewhere very nice to stay the night a couple of hours' drive from Gatwick towards Penzance? Is Exeter nice? We are looking for a characteristic B&B or hotel possibly with good restaurant.
Thanks for any advice.

In May 2000 we stayed at Tor Cottage not too far from Tavistock and loved it. If the owner from that time still runs it, I would recommend.

Thank-you it looks really nice!
Just what we were looking for. I will check distances and availability.
Thanks again.

I just looked at their website. I think we stayed in "Craftsman's Garden" which was brand new at that time. It was rainy, so loved the woodburning fireplace. Could see and hear cows outside the window. Of course all this was 8 years ago, but looking at the address, I do remember M Rowlatt was the owner.

You seriously do need to check your distances and driving times (try www.multipmap.com). It will take minimum 4-5 hours to drive from LGW to Tavistock, or indeed anywhere else in Devon. If you run into rush-hour traffic or holiday traffic during the summer, it's going to take you even longer. Our roads are the most overcrowded in Europe and driving times just get longer and longer every year - the drive down to the West Country (ie Cornwall and Devon) is notorious.

About 2 hours drive from LGW in the direction of Penzance puts you close to Salisbury (ideal for Stonehenge if you haven't seen it already), the New Forest (if you take the coastal roads) or, at a pinch, Bath.

Gatwick to Penzance? - oh my, I hope your patience and fortitude levels are high!

I hope you have purchased, or are planning to purchase, a good road map. Why? Well that way you'll know how far it is from a to b, and also (just as important) be aware of what might be just a little way off the main road that you could be driving straight past.

What time do you arrive at Gatwick? What route were you planning on taking?

From your other thread - you won't be jet lagged, but Tavistock is MUCH farther than I'd want to drive on a summer weekend. Just a bad slog. I'd go w/ Gordon_R's suggestions of near Salisbury, or the New Forest/Hampshire.

The New Forest is really lovely and would probably be my 1st choice.

I believe we drove there from somewhere near Sissinghurst. It's not actually Tavistock--I just remembered it being somewhere north of there. I believe we stopped at Stourhead Gardens and Salisbury Cathedral on the way.

Tor Cottage is in a rural area between Tavistock and Launceston. It is a loooong but doable drive if one gets up in the AM in Kent or Sussex and heads out. But being in Rome that morning, getting to the airport and having to hang around there for an hour or 2, flying to Gatwick, faffing about w/ luggage, and then dealing w/ the rental car details - your day will be a long 6 or 8 hours before you even start the drive.

IMO - just too much and too far for your first day's drive. But if you think you can manage it, that part of Devon is beautiful.

Oops, sorry, didn't know you were starting from Rome. If you don't have to get all the way to Devon/Cornwall that first day, yes, spend a night first in the garden of England.

Hi Carrom - If you're starting from Rome, why not fly to Bristol rather than Gatwick?

From Bristol you can be in Devon in an hour ...

Easyjet fly Ciampino-Bristol
www.easyjet.com

Steve

Damn! I was away for a week and missed most of this. We are now attempting to drive straight to Port Isaac from gatwick BUT I changed my flight so we arrive at 9am. I hope it isn't going to be a real nightmare. I wish we had flown into Bristol......However we regularly drive from Rome to Trento - surely this can't be much worse....? I'll let you know when we get back. Thanks everyone for taking the time.

That is about 300 miles so you can count on probably 6 straight hours w/o stops. To do that you'll have to go NW from Gatwick on the M25 and catch the M4 west across to the M5 and then SW from there. BTW - you will drive right past Bristol airport about 3 hours after leaving Gatwick.

If you want to go the scenic route along the coast you'll need to add a lot more time.

We survived! But did wish we had flown into Bristol. The drive was long but no traffic. Saw Stonehenge on the way and stayed in delightful Port Isaac. Loved the Scillies! We stayed 2 nights at Starcastle - very nice. Polperro is not to be missed. Spent the last night in Exeter which is very nice and was a good distance for the next day. Shame about the weather....but that can't be helped. Thanks everybody.

Thanks for getting back to us. Always nice to know what someone did, based on this board.

Are you doing a longer report, too?