Cornwall/Cotswolds

This last July, we stayed at the Mill End in Chagford for several days and hiked, among other places, to the stone circle out on the moors near there. Absolutely lovely. We drove to Tintagel Castle and saw Merlin’s Cave and drove thru the Dartmoor Park to see the ponies and hike up to one of the larger Tors. There’s a lot to do in that area and we missed a lot with only three days. We also stayed in Stow-on-the Wold for several days and hiked around that area. I like the Sheep on Sheep to stay there.

We did a two week trip to these areas in 2019, but also spent time in London. With a car, you can stay in any of the Cotswold villages. (we stayed in Snowshill).! We then went all the way to Penzance for four nights. I would say 4 nights is the minimum you need to go that far. We also stopped at Dartmoor National Park as we drove back to Heathrow area to go home. Eight days will be tight.

Can I throw in anorhte suggestion - rather than Cotswolds, spend all your time in Cornwall with a stop over in Devon for Dartmoor. There's loads to see and do and plenty of superb walking. There are pretty villages with thatched houses - just like the Cotswolds.

Depending on where you are coming from in England, you are likely to need a day to trasvel to Cornwall and anothrert to come back. That is reducing your time to six days.

I would suggest Dorset. Beautiful countryside and stunning coast line. Plenty of long walks to chose from. You could spend the whole of the 8 days in Dorset without seeing it all. It is a good mix of what Cornwall and the Cotswolds have to offer and in the case of Cornwall not as far from London - although you don't say where your starting point is

Agree there’s not really any need to see the Cotswolds. Devon and Dorset are more convenient for Cornwall and have lots to offer, or you could just spend a week in Cornwall. It’s pretty varied and plenty to do for a week. The Cotswolds really ain’t all that. We’d always head to Devon, Dorset, Cornwall or Wales. Just far more beautiful.

If you’re near Morton in Marsh, stop
by Grouch Coffee House. Delightful!!

May I add that the Cotswolds were extremely crowded while Dartmoor and the Cornwall area weren’t.

thank you so much for your responses. .they give me alot to think about.

I agree with the above, you can also avoid hiring a car if you were just to come out to Devon and Cornwall.

I missed when you will be making the trip. If you are talking about November through April I would suggest that with the flowers finished up until barely started, the Cotswolds are lots less impressive - and I grew up there so am biased.....

You will likely have warmer weather in Cornwall during the winter - but you also have a better chance of a storm too. There is a reason Cornwall had so many "wreckers".