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IN SEARCH OF KING ARTHUR
Devon & Cornwall
Mini-Tour - Four days / Three nights
An ideal short-break in England's traditional holiday region!
This wonderful 4-day tour takes you into an area of Britain noted for its timelessness and variety. These are the counties of the great prehistoric ruins such as Stonehenge, of England's great maritime tradition, of picturesque fishing villages and elegant seaside resorts. It's here you see the great apple orchards of Somerset, the patchwork countryside of Devon, the awe-inspiring moorlands and the rugged cliff-top coastlines and famed surfing sandy beaches. Tradition and culture have remained true to the English spirit here and you feel spirited back into another, less busy age. It's also a land of Celtic legend and of the romantic King Arthur whose own life we'll discover.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
DAY ONE - SATURDAY
Departing London, we drive through England's oldest county, Wiltshire, across the amazing Salisbury Plain where you'll see the great prehistoric temple of Stonehenge and a landscape simply littered with ancient burial sites. You'll also see the evidence of Iron Age hill forts, possible sites of where the great Celtic king, Arthur and his Round Table knights took on the Saxon invaders. Then to Winchester to see the great Round table in the mediaeval hall. Then, we'll take time to explore Cadbury Castle, perhaps the site of Camelot, and some lovely surrounding thatched villages before arriving at our accommodation base.
NIGHTSTOP: Devon or Somerset borders
DAY TWO - SUNDAY
Today, we explore the lovely, timeless country of Dorsetshire.This is real back-roads country where you'll believe time has stood still amidst the villages and harbours of the region. Jane Austen's Lyme Regis is one of the highlights of our day, as will be Thomas Hardy's cottage and monument. We'll introduce you to a few martyrs (such as the trade unionists of Tolpuddle, and those who died at the 'bloody Judge' Jefferies hand). You'll also see the famed Chesil beach and the quaint town of Dorchester. And there'll be time for shopping in the lace and antique town of Honiton.
Dependent on time and group interests, we might find time to include Lawrence of Arabia's home, a carved giant and England's smallest pub!
This is a day that we can really call getting down the 'back-roads'.
NIGHTSTOP: Devon or Somerset borders, as above
DAY THREE - MONDAY
Today is a day packed with a range of memorable sights and experiences. You'll cross the beautiful and awesome landscape of the Dartmoor National Park, en route to the north Cornwall coast. Here, you'll visit Tintagel castle, the reputed birthplace of King Arthur. The castle sits on top of the wild cliffs accessible only by walking. Later, we'll visit a selection of the quaint fishing villages of the north Cornwall and Devon coasts. This is a day where photographers need to ensure a plentiful supply of film! Finally, our day in Cornwall would not be complete if we didn't stop for a famed Cornish 'pastie' somewhere on route, perhaps in a thatched-roofed country pub?
NIGHTSTOP: Devon or Somerset borders, as above
DAY FOUR - TUESDAY
On today's itinerary is Cheddar Gorge and the mystic town of Glastonbury, site of Arthur's burial and 'New Age' capital of England. Here you'll see the ancient abbey and the mysterious 'Tor'. We drive back toward London partially by the old coaching road, stopping at Merlin's burial town of Marlborough en route and also enjoying a brief look at the mysterious, Celtic built Silbury Hill and the World Heritage site at prehistoric Avebury.
London accommodation is not included in your tour rate but is available for a supplemental fee.
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