Devon & Cornwall
5 day tour
Connect with England’s noble past and spirituality, as well as the legends of King Arthur.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Winchester - An ancient city dominated by the statue of Alfred the Great and an impressive Norman cathedral.
Stonehenge - Witness the iconic Neolithic stone structure of the standing stones and gaze in awe at the capabilities of our ancestors.
Dartmoor - Admire this distinctive craggy landscape and take a glimpse at the Dartmoor ponies grazing in the shadow of the granite outcrops.
Exeter - Stroll through this ancient Roman city, from the magnificence of its gothic cathedral to the city’s medieval underground passages.
Boscastle - One of the last remaining unspoilt harbour villages in the British Isles, the medieval harbour and its charming fishing boats are a joy to see.
Tintagel Castle - This ruined castle full of Arthurian legend is perched on cliffs above an immense cave full of magic.
Land's End - Cruise through this iconic location lined with coastal paths and cliff trails.
St Michael's Mount - Gaze upon this photogenic tidal island that was the perfect retreat for monks in the 11th century.
St Ives - An artists’ haven for over 100 years, with galleries on narrow streets and a beach that’s a surfers’ paradise.
Glastonbury - A significant religious and spiritual site infused with stories of early Christianity, Arthurian legend, and pagan culture.
Your journey
You can understand why this land is full of folklore.
The fossils on the beaches resembled King Arthur’s slayed dragons.The stones of Stonehenge looked like they could have been moved by giants. And who could have known what beasts lurked the in misty, craggy climes of Dartmoor.
On this tour, we enliven your imagination and take you to all of Devon and Cornwall’s mystic landscapes and hidden-away alcoves.
You experience Norman Cathedrals, Roman towns, harbour villages, beautiful beaches, ruined castles, and more.
But watch out; because spend enough time here, and you may start to believe some of the mythical tales yourself.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 09:00 (tour departs at 09:15) - Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH
19:30 - London Victoria Drop Off, Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Tour accommodation
- Attraction entry tickets
Itinerary
Day 1
- Explore the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, the epicentre of England’s most enduring myths and legends
- Gaze in wonder at Stonehenge, the powerful stone circle tribute to our ancestors’ beliefs
Leaving central London, you travel through Wessex, one of England’s ancient kingdoms.
You pass through this millennia-old setting on the way to the historic city of Winchester. The former capital of Anglo-Saxon England is synonymous with Alfred the Great and boasts a magnificent cathedral and the Norman Great Hall.
From this bustling city, you head to a quieter but equally profound place: the standing stone circles of Stonehenge. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stonehenge site has been skilfully preserved.
At the award-winning visitor centre, you can view the exhibition of hundreds of prehistoric items from the Stonehenge collection. By joining the land train shuttle, you make your way to the world-famous stone circles.
You then travel to Exeter, an important fortified settlement in Roman times and your base for two nights.
Day 2
- Explore the beauty of the remote wilderness at Dartmoor, where wild ponies graze in the shadow of hilltop granite outcrops
- Delve into Tavistock, birthplace of Sir Francis Drake, the famed British maritime explorer
- Cross the time-trodden slabs of the medieval miner’s Clapper Bridge
Explore the remote windswept magnificence of Dartmoor, where you can see strings of the native ponies grazing close to the striking rock formations.
Dartmoor is also home to an immense diversity of flora and fauna, so enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the moor’s isolated beauty.
You cross the ancient Clapper Bridge at Postbridge before heading to Tavistock, the historic market town and birthplace of Sir Francis Drake.
Arriving back in Exeter* in the early afternoon gives you a chance to explore the city’s ancient riches at a leisurely pace. The city walls, the Norman cathedral, the Royal Albert Memorial, and the Quayside all await you.
Day 3
- Rove into the heart of Arthurian legend and the Celtic Kingdom of Cornwall.
- Relax in the charming Elizabethan fishing village of Boscastle
- Wander the cliff top ruins of Tintagel Castle, legendary birthplace of King Arthur
Arthurian legend mixes with genuine Celtic history in Cornwall, England’s most western county.
You head west to the North Cornish coast and the Elizabethan fishing village of Boscastle. Indulge in a cream tea, take a stroll out to the dramatic headland, or learn a spell or two in the Museum of Witchcraft.
You travel to the village of Tintagel and the ruins of its headland Castle, whose romantic cliff top setting is purportedly the birthplace of King Arthur. After lunch, you head to Port Isaac where you can get your Doc Martin’s fix and fall in love with this picturesque fishing village. You then head south to the bustling port town of Falmouth for the next two nights.
Day 4
- Learn about the outdoor Minack Theatre, carved from a granite cliff face overlooking the sea
- Stand at the most westerly point of Great Britain at the iconic Land’s End
Today, we explore the most westerly tip of England. We take a brief stop to look at the island community of St Michael’s Mount.
We then travel onwards to the unique setting of the Minack Theatre perched above a thundering ocean and the beautiful National Trust beach at Porthcurno. Due to availability, you may be unable to visit this theatre. Your guide will let you know as you go.
You visit Land’s End before following a landscape dotted with the relics of the Cornish tin mining heritage, and now a filming location for the Poldark series. St Ives is the final stop of the day with its plethora of artists’ galleries in the maze of narrow, harbour-side streets.
You return to Falmouth for the night.
Day 5
- Plunge to the heart of Bodmin Moor, famous for its feared Beast, Arthurian legends, and the smugglers of Jamaica Inn
- Explore the world famous site of Glastonbury, known for its association with King Arthur and the annual music festival
This morning, you say farewell to Cornwall and travel across Bodmin Moor, a wild moorland that’s designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
We’ll take a break before leaving Cornwall and continuing to Glastonbury. Here you can visit the ruins of 7th century Abbey, relax over some lunch or scale Glastonbury Tor for the views across five counties.
From here, you travel back to London, a busy city far removed from the experiences you’ve enjoyed in the magical counties of Devon and Cornwall.
Attractions
Tour Attractions
You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:
- Stonehenge
- Tintagel Castle
Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.
Accommodation
Where does this tour stay overnight?
You stay two nights in the historic Roman city of Exeter and two nights in the Cornish coastal town of Falmouth.
*Please be aware that Falmouth is busy. You may need to be flexible with rooms we're able to reserve for you here. If you'd prefer to find your own accommodation for this location, please choose the 'book your own accommodation' option when you book your tour. Hotels may be more expensive in Falmouth.
How can I book accommodation?
Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.
Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.
Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.
How much will the accommodation cost?
We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.
As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:
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Approximate prices, per person per night |
Overnight Location |
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Sole Occupancy |
Multiple Occupancy |
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(1 person per room) |
(2+ people per room) |
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B&B Standard |
£80 - £120 |
£60 - £80 |
UK & Northern Ireland |
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€80 - €120 |
€60 - €80 |
Ireland |
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B&B En-suite |
£100 - £150 |
£80- £110 |
UK & Northern Ireland |
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€100 - €150 |
€80- €110 |
Ireland |
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Hotel |
£155 - £255 |
£100 - £160 |
UK & Northern Ireland |
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€130 - €235 |
€100 - €150 |
Ireland |
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NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc).
Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.
If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.