Now I'm looking at putting another trip together. We have never been to the southwest. Does anyone have experience with Exeter and Plymouth? I was thinking of taking the train to Exetor and using it as a base - get a rental car there and doing days trips around the area. If anyone has been to this part of England, do you recommend it? We love anything historical and just being in England is great. Thanks.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
Yes! This is a beautiful part of England. Exeter is a good place to take public transport to and then rent a car, like you are planning to do. I did almost exactly the same thing last time I was there...took a bus from London though.
Exeter is well worth spending some time in...it was heavily bombed during WW2 but the central part of the city is still beautiful. The cathedral alone is worth the trip there. From Exeter you can drive through so many of the quaint seaside villages and towns all the way out to Lands End. Plymouth is nice but some of the smaller villages past that are even more beautiful. If you ever watch Doc Martin there are lots of villages like the one used in the TV series...it's a great place to wander.
The area around Exmoor is particularly nice with small villages and wild ponies - it's like something out of a painting.
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thank you, Anita!
Posted by
Kingston, Surrey
239 posts
Anita might mean Dartmoor, which is close to Exeter--Exmoor is mostly in Somerset, so a bit further away. Having said that, I echo what she says. Devon is a lovely county, with beautiful countryside, a great coastline (both sides) and some fascinating sights. The standard of pubs (one of my favourite subjects) is pretty high too. If you go to Lower Zeal on the edge of Dartmoor, the Oxenham Arms boasts guests such as Charles Dickens, David Bowie and the Prince of Wales. It also has its own neolithic standing stone incorported into the lounge wall.
Posted by
2403 posts
I am not so keen on the Torquay area but Salcombe and Dartmouth are well worth a visit and I would also stop at Totnes and walk the main street.https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/explore-south-devon/south-hams
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Plymouth is not a pretty city and is a bit rough. Lands End is a tacky tourist trap, but most other places in this part of England are worth a visit. Lands End is also too far, as it's nearly 3 hours away.
I like Exeter - it isn't too big and has a certain charm. There are nearby villages with good walks such as Topsham, Starcross and Dartmoor National Park.
Check out the National Trust for short term overseas membership if you want to visit historical houses and gardens.
The traffic can be hideous if you are planning a visit during school holidays.