The clocks have finally moved forward and British Summer is finally here! All two weeks of it… Joking aside, one thing I absolutely adore is a staycation adventure. Whilst travelling abroad is incredible, sometimes you can forget how gorgeous the UK is. In this new series, I am going to be highlighting different staycation itineraries, starting with a road trip around Cornwall. We did this last Autumn and had an amazing time.
A few disclaimers before we start. I am going to begin the trip from Reading as it is our nearest big town. If you live a fair bit away, then use this from the first stop. I have also tried to keep it within a budget of £1,200.00 for around 10 nights, with the view that petrol is £1.45 per litre.
Without further ado, let’s begin!
Cornwall Road Trip Overview
From Reading you will drive through Somerset and Dorset, before heading towards Devon. Go through Exeter and the beautiful Dartmoor, and explore the gorgeous Devon coastline. Then, go south into Cornwall and skirt the south coast all the way to Lizard Point. Along the way, see some of the most iconic landmarks of Cornwall, before exploring the Marazion area.
Next, continue along the north coast of Cornwall back towards Somerset. Stop at the stunning sites of Port Isaac, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and Tintagel, where you can see the mythical castle. Then, continue back towards Somerset, where you have your final night in Glastonbury, before heading back home.
If you are visiting from outside the UK you could consider flying into either a London airport, or you could look at flying into Bristol and picking up a hire car and starting your trip in the south.
Day 1: Reading to Sherborne
Approx. 110 miles
Let’s get started on the ultimate road trip around Cornwall. Grab yourselves a cappuccino and some snacks for the road and head on down South. I would start by heading towards Salisbury and of course, Stonehenge. One of the manmade wonders of the world is worth a visit and this is just on your way. This prehistoric monument is on the Wiltshire border and should not take too long to walk about.
From here, I would head on down into Somerset with an optional stop at Wilton House. I really love the little town of Ilminster; my husband’s parents live nearby so we always stay here before heading on into Cornwall. If you are not lucky enough to have relatives nearby, take time walking around this quaint little town. However, you can always do this tomorrow en-route to Totnes.
Hotel: We stayed at The Eastbury Hotel and Spa, £114 per night
Eat: We ate at the Cross Keys
Reading to Salisbury (55 miles), Wilton (62 miles), Stonehenge (70 miles) and Sherborne (108 miles)
Day 2: Sherborne to Totnes
Approx. 85 miles
From Sherborne, head towards Exeter. Your route will take you through Somerset past Ilminster and Chard and into the Blackdown Hills. Admire the scenery as you drive through and, after an hour or so, you’ll arrive in Exeter.
Stretch your legs and explore this charming little city. There isn’t loads to see here, but it is probably the much-needed shopping break that you need after driving. The next part of the trip takes you through Dartmoor. Whilst this might look like a diversion from Totnes, it is a road trip and Dartmoor is one of the prettiest places in the UK. Aim towards Two Bridges before heading south to Totnes.
The drive from Dartmoor is not far at all and you’ll soon be in Totnes. I really like this small town, even though there isn’t that much to see in one evening. Do some window shopping and, if you have time, head over to Totnes castle. Once you have had enough, come back to the Seven Stars and order some delicious pub grub.
Hotel: We stayed at 7 Stars Hotel, £160.00 per night
Eat: We chose to eat at the pub
Sherborne to Exeter (51 miles) to Newton Abbot / Dartmoor (67 miles) to Buckfast Abbey (80 miles) on to Totnes (86 miles)
Day 3: Totnes to Fowey
Approx. 95 miles
After a large cooked breakfast at the Seven Stars, it is time to hit the road. Today you will take the coastal road to explore all of the towns that Devon has to offer. We actually did something similar when we stayed at the Somerville in Torquay.
Your first stop is Dartmouth. However, for the authentic experience, head towards Kingswear. There is a famous car ferry that takes you across the River Dart from Kingswear and into the charming town of Dartmouth. When you get there, park up and explore. One of my favourite things to do in Dartmouth is to look at the various arts and crafts shops that are about.
Once you have bought a few paintings and trinkets, it is time to get back in the car and drive to Salcombe. This town is where Jack Wills first started off and it is easily one of the prettiest towns in Devon, if not England. The issue is that parking is a nightmare, at least it was when we went. I would say investigate and, if you want, get out and have another look around. It could be a great place to stop and enjoy some lunch by the seaside.
After you have seen enough of Salcombe, we’ll head towards Polperro, your first Cornish village. Along the way, make sure that you bank Plymouth as otherwise you will get caught in all the traffic. When you get to Polperro, there is a bit of a walk from the car park to the village. Take your time to walk down and enjoy the charming village. It is very touristy, especially in the Summer. However, I think that an ice cream here after a long day driving is the perfect idea.
To finish off your third night of your Cornwall road trip, we’re heading to Fowey. You are staying at the Ship Inn, a pub that dates back to 1400! Grab a pint and a burger and get yourself to bed. There’s a long drive ahead…
Hotel: We stayed at The Ship Inn, £110.00 per night
Ate: We ate at Bufala
Totnes to Brixham (10 miles), Kingswear/ Dartmouth (15 miles), Salcombe (30 miles) and Looe/ Polperro (74 miles) to Fowey (81 miles)
Day 4: Fowey to Marazion, via Truro, Falmouth and Lizard Point
Approx. 80 miles
Wake up in Fowey and treat yourself to a fantastic breakfast at the Ship Inn. With that, it is time to hit the road again and head towards our first destination; Truro. This city is the only one in Cornwall and it is a must-see when you are here. There are plenty of shops but you can also enjoy the cobblestone streets and the gothic architecture. Spend some time exploring and grab a morning coffee. After that, get back into the car and head to the town of Falmouth.
My husband actually spent a few weeks in Falmouth whilst he was on a course at University. He absolutely loved it and he was excited to come back here when we did this itinerary. I liked the town too and it is definitely worth a visit. I have heard so many times how good the locally brewed beer is here, so I made sure to grab one with my food at lunchtime. After a stroll along the harbour and the main street, you have probably seen everything the town has to offer. The next stop is the famous Lizard Point, the southernmost tip in England. The roads here are much smaller, so be prepared for the famous Cornish lanes to appear!
Lizard Point was extremely windy when we visited, but on sunny days it is meant to be gorgeous. You can even stay in the lighthouse here if you wanted to. Have a look around the area and see if you can spot any birds or seals in the water. If you haven’t eaten in Falmouth, this is a great place to have a picnic!
Lastly, drive over to Marazion and to the beautiful St. Michael’s mount. Now, before you get here, have a look at the tidal times. If they are earlier then you can skip lunch at earlier points. When we went, the tide was lowest at 14:30, meaning we could cross the causeway. I genuinely had a lot of fun crossing and it was a highlight of the trip. It just seems like something out of a fairytale. For the last stop of the day, drive to the hotel the Victoria Inn. Be prepared to be treated to some sensational food and rooms.
Hotel: We stayed at The Victoria Inn, £120.00 per night
Eat: We ate at the Godolphin in Marazion
Fowey to Truro (21 miles) to Falmouth (32 miles) to Lizard Point (50 miles) to Marazion (70 miles)
Day 5: Marazion to Mousehole, Minack Theatre, Land’s End, St. Ives
Approx. 50 miles
Today you will wake up to a Cornish breakfast at the Victoria Inn. It is spectacular and I am envious just writing this post. Your first stop of the day is the charming town of Mousehole (pronounced mows-ull; not mouse-hole!). Like many charming Cornish villages, there isn’t a great deal here aside from boutique shops. However, first thing in the morning it is a perfect place to watch the tide come in and enjoy a coffee.
Your first big stop of the day though is the Minack Theatre. I think that this is up there with the most unique and striking places in the UK. Whilst there will unlikely be any shows early in the morning (you could always book one this evening!), you can still explore this impressive place. Whilst the theatre is obviously amazing, the view is spectacular. You will see seabirds of all sorts flying across the coast and, if you are lucky, dolphins too! There is also a great café here that has the best view, so make sure you make time for a coffee and cake there.
Next is a short drive over to Land’s End, the most westerly point of the UK. There are a few nice walks that you can take here and you can see a whole host of marine life. There are a few shops and restaurants, but nothing more. I recommend taking some time to walk along the cliffs and see whether you can spot anything fun.
The last major stop of the day is St. Ives. This is a famous (and very busy) town in Cornwall that has a lot to offer tourists. In the summer months, this place is heaving. Plus, I found parking difficult enough in October because of the road layout. If you can park, it is definitely worth a walk to see what the fuss is about. We found some really nice boutique shops and, weirdly enough, bought some fun Christmas decorations from there.
Once you have had enough, it is time to head back to the Victoria Inn. If you haven’t already, check out the nearby beach. It is beautiful and completely wild. Finish your time at this terrific bnb with a lovely dinner and good night’s sleep.
Hotel: We stayed at The Victoria Inn, £120.00 per night
Eat: We ate the pub
Marazion to Mousehole (10 miles) to Porthcurno/ Minack Theatre (18 miles) to Lands End (22 miles) to St Ives (43 miles) to Marazion (53 miles)
Day 6: Marazion to Tintagel via The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Padstow, Port Isaac and Tintagel
Approx. 95 miles
Once more, wake up to a delicious breakfast at the Victoria Inn. Once you have unwound, it is time to get ready for arguably the prettiest day of the trip.
Your first stop is the stunning Lost Gardens of Heligan. This is particularly beautiful in the Summer, but I really enjoyed myself even in October. You can explore the different gardens, each with their own unique colours and smells. My favourite garden has to be the Jungle, which features one of the longest Burmese-style bridges in the UK. If it has been raining, make sure you bring your wellies though. The Jungle can get quite muddy! You can read more about our day at the The Lost Gardens here.
After you have explored the Gardens and had a delicious cup of tea, head over to Padstow. This is another quintessential Cornish town which you can walk around. I would say that you could probably spend an hour here, if that, before moving onto Port Isaac. The roads here are again quite windy and small, so be prepared for an interesting journey.
Port Isaac is famous for featuring in Doc Martin, a classic British show (would recommend!). The picturesque village is at the foot of some large cliffs and you need to park quite far out of the main part. Plus, in the Summer, this place is heaving. If you aren’t able to walk a long distance or struggle with steep hills, you can probably see it all from the top of the cliffs. However, if you are able to get down and explore the old village it is well worth it. In my opinion, it is easily one of the prettiest places in Cornwall. You could also enjoy some fish and chips here to make the most of the experience.
Last stop is Tintagel, the legendary home of King Arthur. The main attraction here is of course Tintagel castle. This historic site is breathtakingly beautiful, so make sure you spend a good amount of time exploring. I even found the walk down quite magical and mystical. Once you have finished looking around, drive down to the Port William hotel. Make sure you book a sea-view room to get the most out of it. Then, enjoy some pub grub and go to sleep with the sound of crashing waves.
Hotel: We stayed at The Port William, from £125.00 per night
Eat: We ate at the pub
Marazion to Lost Gardens (41 miles) to Padstow (67 miles) to Port Isaac (83 miles) to Tintagel (93 miles)
Day 7: Tintagel to Boscastle, Bude, Clovelly and Glastonbury
Approx. 125 miles
Wake up early for the penultimate day of the trip. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, but then I would recommend going to the beach. In the morning, I was able to walk over the rocks and get a glimpse of the sun hitting Gull Rock. A great way to start the day and to wave goodbye to Cornwall.
Your first stop is Boscastle. This is an extremely pretty little village that is definitely worth a walk about. Follow the river down into the valley, cross the bridge and then walk back. You can probably do the loop in 45 minutes, but it is certainly worth your time to explore.
The next destination is the nearby town of Bude. This coastal town in Cornwall has a fair amount to do, although most of it is by the sea. The beaches here are notoriously beautiful and could be a great place to relax for a bit over the Summer months. Even if it isn’t the best weather, I would recommend walking down to the coast and along the sand.
Your main stop today is Clovelly, a privately-owned village which is a massive tourist attraction. Before I get started, please note that there is a massive hill to climb down and up, so be prepared. There are also no cars here – the locals have to bring their shopping down with a sledge! I love this village though and think that it is well-worth a look around. It is also the perfect place to have lunch as the coast here is some of the best around. Make sure that you also walk along the stony beach to the East of the village to investigate the waterfall. Check out my blog post for more tips and ideas for visiting Clovelly.
Next is the long drive to Glastonbury in Somerset. If it is around the time of the festival, I would strongly recommend staying back in Ilminster instead. However, Glastonbury is great to look around and is a pretty town to take some photos.
Hotel: We stayed at The Crossways, from £105.00 per night
Eat: We ate at Queen of Cups
Tintagel to Boscastle (4 miles) to Bude (18 miles) to Hartland Point (39 miles) to Clovelly (47 miles) to Barnstaple via N Devon (67 miles) to Glastonbury (142 miles)
Day 8: Glastonbury to Wells, Bath and Lacock
Approx. 100 miles
Wake up in Glastonbury and drive a short distance to Wells, a small nearby City. I get a real Winchester-esque vibe in Wells and there are plenty of cute shops to look around. The main attraction is of course Wells cathedral. From April 2024, there will be a cost of £14.00 per adult to enter, whereas under 18s go in for free. I do think it is worth looking around it as it is easily one of the prettiest churches in the UK.
After Wells, head north to the city of Bath. This is where you will spend most of your time today. Park up and explore the main sites of the city. There is so much to see and do here. You could go shopping, visit the Roman Baths, or admire the Royal Crescent. There are plenty of places for lunch too!
Sadly, we are now approaching the end of your road trip around Cornwall. The last stop is Lacock, or, as you might know it, Godrick’s Hollow from Harry Potter. This charming village is the perfect place to end your trip. Meander down the cobblestone streets and investigate the boutiques. Then, walk over to the main house and look around. I would argue that this is one of the most picturesque villages in Britain that I have seen, so spend time here and enjoy your last moments of the holiday.
Finally, get back in the car and drive back home. The mileage above is assuming that you live near me (Henley-on-Thames area), but hopefully you don’t have much further to go! Your last stop is of course your home where you can relax, grab a cup of tea and talk about your Cornish adventure.
Hotel: Home
Glastonbury to Wells (7 miles) to Bath (27 miles) to Lacock (40 miles) to Reading (107 miles)
Final Thoughts
I hope that you have enjoyed this post on your road trip around Cornwall. Like I said, this is almost the exact itinerary that my husband and I did and we loved it. Let me know how you get on and whether you would change anything. I can’t wait to hear how you get on.
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My Travel Tips and Recommendations
Flights
My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skycanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.
Accommodation
Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.
Things I can’t travel without
As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my
- Canon EOS M3
- GoPro Hero5 Black
- DJI Mavic Mini
Travel Insurance
It is so important to be prepared for all possibilities when travelling and you simply shouldn’t travel without insurance. I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.
Other posts that may help you:
Thank you for reading and I hope that my Cornwall road trip itinerary has been useful! Let me know if you have any questions about any of the destinations or our route in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
