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Boon’s Calibre Travel 2025 The Cream of Devon & Cornwall Monday 28th July 2025 for 5 days, half-board
This lovely tour for 2025 is based in maritime Plymouth, “Britain’s Ocean City, located at the mouth of the River Tamar, on the border of Devon & Cornwall, and boasting one of the world’s finest natural harbours. Our three included excursions take us to “King Arthurs” Tintagel, the wonderful Mount Edgcumbe House & Gardens, the harbour village of Boscastle, beautiful Tavistock and the tranquil Buckfast Abbey. In addition, we travel through the heart of the rugged Dartmoor National Park, have time at leisure in naval Plymouth, and visit the charming Wiltshire town of Bradford-upon-Avon and the historic Dorset town of Sherborne, en-route.
Our hotel is the 19th century Duke of Cornwall, with its splendid Victorian, gothic architecture, ideally situated on the fringe of Plymouth’s vibrant city centre, and just a stroll from the famous Hoe, with its breathtaking views across the Sound, one of the most perfect natural harbours in the world. The uniquely decorated en-suite bedrooms are well equipped for today’s traveller and are arranged over five floors; each floor being serviced by a lift. With its beautiful restaurant and wealth of historic features, including a stunning Grade II listed staircase, it’s easy to see how Poet Sir John Betjeman could describe this hotel as “one of the nation’s finest examples of Victorian architecture”. The Duke of Cornwall has played host to many famous faces over the years, including celebrated explorer Ernest Shackleton, legendary stars of the silver screen, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy, and TV personalities Michael Portillo, Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell, to name just a few.
Day 1: We depart from our local boarding points and head for the Southwest, stopping en-route in the charming, vibrant Wilshire town of Bradford-on-Avon, which boasts a wealth of architectural treasures and delightful, narrow streets, lined with attractive shops and cafes. After lunch, we continue our journey to Plymouth, arriving at our hotel in good time for dinner.
Day 2: After breakfast today, we cross the Devon/Cornwall border to visit the Mount Edgcumbe Estate. Former home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe, the majestic 16th century house is set in magnificent Grade I listed Cornish Gardens, within 865 acres Country Park on the Rame Peninsula, with spectacular views of the Tamar Estuary & the Plymouth Sound. We enjoy a guided tour of the house and the Earls Garden, and have time to explore the grounds, before returning to Plymouth for the remainder of the day. The city of Plymouth boasts a wealth of interest, and a great naval history, dating back to the days of Sir Frances Drake. Attractions include Sutton Harbour, the Barbican and the Mayflower Steps, from which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to settle in America in 1620. The centuries-old waterfront area features a fantastic array of independent shops, restaurants, along with the National Marine Aquarium and Black Friars distillery, England’s oldest working gin distillery, home to Plymouth Gin
Day 3: Today we depart for a circular tour, commencing with a visit to beautiful Tavistock, an ancient market town with a unique heritage. The only town in Devon to hold World Heritage status, placing it on a par with international treasures like the Taj Mahal, Tavistock is the home of the cream tea and boasts a wealth of local independent shops, alongside its famous pannier market. Continuing on, we head into the heart of the atmospheric, Dartmoor National Park, with stunning views, awe inspiring granite tors, rugged wide open spaces and freely roaming Dartmoor ponies, our journey taking us via the moorland villages of Two Bridges, Postbridge and Mortonhampstead. We complete our day with a visit to Buckfastleigh and the peace and serenity of Buckfast Abbey, situated in a wooded valley in the edge of the Dartmoor. Time to enjoy the magnificent Abbey Church, herb gardens, shops and café before we return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 4: Today’s excursion takes us to the coastal village of Tintagel, with its links to the legend of King Arthur, breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline and the ruins of Tintagel Castle (English Heritage), perched precariously on the cliffs. Steeped in magic and mystery, the village has been popular with tourists, artists, and writers for centuries. Continuing on, we head northward to one of the most scenic villages on Cornwall's north coast, Boscastle, beautifully restored to its former glory following a freak storm in 2004, with its small, attractive harbour. The village is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the medieval harbour is maintained by the National Trust. Ample time to explore before we rerun to our hotel for dinner.
Day 5: After breakfast this morning, we commence our journey home with comfort stops, and a visit to Sherborne, without doubt, one of the most beautiful towns in England, boasting an abundance of medieval buildings, a superb abbey, two castles and a delightful shopping area. We arrive back in Essex mid-evening. Includes: 4 nights half-board (bed, breakfast & evening meal) in en-suite bedrooms, porterage, lift, walk-in showers (twin & double rooms only), three excursions, visits on outward & return journeys. Admission & tour of Mount Edgcumbe
Price per person: £629 Single Supplement: £NIL (6 rooms only) Double room for sole-occupancy supplement: £88 (6 rooms only)
Deposit: £65 per person, balance due 8 weeks prior to travel |