Touring Cornwall/Devon
 

I am a 64 year old independent woman, retired educator, consider myself a good driver, and have driven on the left side on some of the Britsh Islands. Raised in rural U.S., I am used to navigating country roads. I am planning 2 weeks in England and would like to devote about 5-6 days to Salisbury, Bath, and parts of Cornwall and Devon. Is it feasible to take a train from London to Salisbury, hire a car, and do a circular tour in that amount of time? I realize that isn't enough time ideally, but couldn't I touch on the areas mentioned reasonably well?

Do you have specific places in that part of the country that interest you? I find when I'm on a driving trip, it's particular things (houses, gardens, evensong at cathedrals, galleries, etc.) that I've read about and want to incorporate into a route that propels me. It organizes the drive far better and makes the "places in between" far more of a comprehensive itinerary, especially in southern England where there's so much one might see on a well-planned circuit.

So, yes, others will be along no doubt with perfectly acceptable route suggestions. But in those few days you'll have a much more satisfying time for your effort if you get into the details from the very beginning. If you have already, tell us what very specifically you'd most like to see. If you haven't, I suggest you hit the guides and websites now, BEFORE you begin to plan a route. I find general sightseeing fairly boring, but then I have very particular interests that take me back to England regularly. So please let us know, if or when you know so you'll have the optimum plan.

If you need help with website suggestions, tell us your interests and we can help there, too. And by "interests" I don't mean "history" or other vague ideas, but just for instance "Elizabethan architecture" or topiary - you get the idea. Or, It may be that a general tour with site suggestions would suit you perfectly well, so don't let me bully you either, if that's what you'd truly love to do.

Yes a great idea IMO to train to Salisbury -visit city one day - really nice place and cathedral, etc. Then pick up car and see Stonehenge and Avebury (and Old Sarum on edge of Salisbury) and head to the West. Book train tickets at National Rail Enquiries - Official source for UK train times and timetables for possible significant discounts - and to maximize time just drive to city you can return car in and take train back to London. For lots on trains and booking your own ticket - www.seat61.com - general info on trains also www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts.

Just a note, Salisbury (the town) is among my least favorite in the region. If, as you get deeper into your planning, you find Salisbury takes you off your main track, I wouldn't worry about missing it. The possibilities in the south & southwest are endless and I hope you're able to pinpoint what will be the most exciting for you personally, not just the usual suspects, as I think that one is. Go, certainly, if it intrigues you, but know it's not among everyone's best-of.

Thank you, both of you! I will plan my stops, just wanted to be sure the plan was do-able. I do believe I want to visit Salisbury. Appreciate your great advice!

One issue is the driving in Devon and Cornwall can be very slow. So when I'm in the far SW it really needs 5 days just there to make the very long trip worthwhile. Bath/Salisbury/Stonehenge/Wells/Somerset area is 3 or 4 days worth minimum. So IMO/IME 5-6 days for just Devon and Cornwall is totally practical. Or 4 days for Bath/Salisbury/Dorset/Somerset. But Salisbury, Bath, Devon, and Cornwall in 5 or 6 days is really too much.

You'll want at least 1.5 days (2 nights) in Bath, and Bath to say St Ives is a 4+ hour drive without ay stops -- in real life with all there is to see along the way -- it is an all day drive. Then at least 3 days to explore a bit of Cornwall. If you want a couple of days in Devon PLUS Salisbury -- I'd want about 8 days minimum.