Scenery changes noticeably as this itinerary traverses England southwest from Bath through Somerset and along its unspoiled coast, outlining Cornwall, into the heart of Devon. Wild ponies gallop across the expanses of Exmoor. Along the northern coastline the scenery changes dramatically from wooded inlets dropping to the sea of wild rollers crashing on granite cliffs, giving credence to old tales of wreckers luring ships onto rocky shorelines. Picturesque villages surround sheltered harbors, their quays strewn with nets and lobster pots. Southern ports present a gentler scene: bobbing yachts dot wooded estuaries and gentle waves lap the shoreline. Hedgerow-lined lanes meander inland across Dartmoor's heather-clad moorlands to picturesque towns nestling at her edge. Relax and enjoy your explorations of this westernmost spur of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Recommended Pacing:
Spend two full days in Bath to give you time to appreciate the flavor of this lovely city. We suggest that you use Rock as a base for exploring the northern coast of the peninsula, and Penzance, St. Mawes, Fowey or Talland-by-Looe as a base for exploring the south of Cornwall. Complete the itinerary with a couple of nights in south Devon to enable you to enjoy the wild beauties of Dartmoor.
The elegant city of Bath with its graceful, honey-colored buildings, interesting museums, and delightful shopping area is best when explored on foot over a period of several days. Bath, founded by the Romans in the late 1st century around the gushing mineral hot springs, reached its peak of popularity in the early 1700s with the arrival of Beau Nash, who opened the first Pump room where people could take the water and socialize. Architects John Wood, father and son, used the local honey-colored stone to build elegant monuments, and many interesting artifacts from the town can be seen in the adjacent museum.
Karen Brown also offers suggestions for car rental driving itineraries through Cambridge, The Lake District, Derbyshire Dales, The Dales & Moors of North Yorkshire and Scotland. London is a convenient starting point for all of these adventures! For a detailed description of the above-mentioned itineraries Auto Europe highly recommends Karen Brown's Guide to England, Wales & Scotland, Charming Hotels & Itineraries.
