LOTRHP

Hi All,
Can anyone recommend a good hub from which to visit the Devon/Cornwall area?

My idea is to find a town that is rather central and popular, where a lot of public transportation or tours leave out of to visit various parts of Devon and Cornwall. I was thinking Plymouth might be such a place...

And while we're at it---any recommendations on not-to-be-missed parts of the Cornwall and Devon area?

What do you think? (**By the way-not renting a car)

jsmith

LOTRHP, there have been a number of similiar questions in the last year. If you do a search for Cornwall and Devon, wou will get some good ideas.

I remember posting to one of them giving an address to a New York Times article that had information regarding public transport in Cornwall. BTW their choice for Cornwall is Truro. You will have to register but it's free.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/22/travel/22qna.html

The following website may be useful also. I haven't made use of it but it looks like it could be something you could use.

http://www.transportdirect.info/TransportDirect/en/

I hope everything works for you.

JudyC

For public transport in Devon and Cornwall, please check: www.carfreedaysout.com. The site divides the area into several sections, lists all bus/train routes plus interesting walks. They used to offer a free large map of bus/train networks in West Country. I have several of them, as I have visited the area few times by public transports.

Cornwall and Devon are a huge area. It depends on what you are interested in most( seaside/moors), I am afraid Plymouth is not a convenient base for visit Cornwall, or even northern Devon.

For good transport networks/easy access for visiting gardens, I have stayed at Exeter for central/northern Deveon, Plymouth for southern Devon, Falmouth for eastern Cornwall and Penzance for western Cornwall. Although some of them are not the most charming city/town in these areas.

londonengland

Judy and Jsmith have given some good advice. Depending on how long you are going for you may need to limit your ambitions to either Devon or Cornwall

For Cornwall choose Truro
For Devon choose Exeter

Plymouth is a port and although the area by Plymouth hoe is pleasant enough I think Exeter is a more pleasant place to stay and also gives you the option of seeing areas in North Devon.

If you had to choose between Cornwall and Devon it really depends on your interests but I'll put forward my view on what should or should not be missed.

Cornwall is all about rugged scenery on the north coast, bracing champagne like air, beautiful gardens and charming fishing villages on the south coast plus some Celtic history and the odd pirate and Cornish pasty thrown into the mix. Not to be missed - St Ives and a walk on the north coast towards Zennor, Eden Project, Polperro, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Gweek seal sanctuary, Truro cathedral and shops, fresh seafood, Cornish pasty, Roddas Cornish clotted cream

Devon is more about chocolate box type thatched villages, dairy farming, green fields and brooding moors with sailing on the south coast. Not be missed - Lynton, Lynmouth, Exeter cathedral and shops, Cockington or Croyde thatched village, Dartmouth, Bigbury Bay, a walk on Dartmoor on a beautiful summer day, Beer (the town but also the drink in a village pub wouldn't be bad!) Devon ice cream and some of the produce in farmers markets.

Whatever you choose I'm sure you'll have a great time and it would be great to hear how your trip went

jsmith

I remember Exeter fondly because it was the most confusing city center I have ever driven in. We stayed at a BnB near the center and when returning from dinner on the outskirts on a Friday evening about 9:30 found ourselves driving on the pedestrian street surrounded by cheering university students. Fortunately, the police were quite understanding and forgiving.

LOTRHP

Wow, thank you so much for your efforts to help me out. Really great information. Illuminating.
To respond--I would guess what I would find most interesting would be the moors/cliffs, some nice seaside viewing, and charming towns with pretty cottages and fun shopping (I love artists' crafts Jewelry)

I'm not sure which towns would be best for that (in a 2-3 day increment), so if you have any more to add I would appreciate any input.

At any rate, your information has all been invaluable and has really helped me to understand the area better.

Thank you.

AR

Agree with londonengland that if you are without a car, you would have to limit yourself to one or the other. However, if you are spending time in Cornwall, why base yourself in a city such as Truro?
You'd be much better off renting a cottage on the coast in somewhere like Falmouth where you can take a boat to St Mawes and there are good public transport links to Truro, Penzance and Newquay. You can then rest in the evenings in a pub watching the world go by near the sea.

guarantor

We enjoy renting self contained cottages in England on a weekly basis. And, using it as a hub. Did it last year, just outside Sherborne - a great week.

But we had a car, and that makes all the difference in the world.

If you aren't going to rent a car, then take a Bus Tour of SW England - there are all kinds of them.

G