We will not have a car. Spending a week walking the SW Coast Path in Cornwall, and then would like to visit friends near Weymouth. That whole distance looks like a 6-7 hour journey by train. Is there someplace on the way to spend a day or two, to break up the trip?
(We are also open to the idea of walking other sections of the SW Coast Path, closer to Weymouth, but would still want a home base with stuff to do if the weather is really bad.)
thank you so much!
If you're open to a non-coastal location, consider Exeter. It's a very historic city of 130,000. I spent a night there in 2017 and enjoyed walking around the attractive historic center. Wikipedia has an extensive write-up on Exeter and identifies a lot of local sights. The Guildhall is supposed to be a worthwhile stop, but it was closed at the time of my visit for a special event--apparently a fairly common occurrence.
Plymouth is another obvious possibility, but I haven't been there.
I might be inclined to look at some of the Jurassic Coast. Get off the train at Axminster (which is on the 2nd train's route- between Exeter and Yeovil) and get the X51/X53 Jurassic Coast bus to Lyme Regis.
That will take you on afterwards to Weymouth.
I've not stayed there myself but several regular contributors recommend Lyme Regis and will give you hotel suggestions.
You have been given sound advice above. Exeter is well worth a look and could possibly be done when you change trains. Go to Axminster from Exeter by train and then bus for the short journey to Lyme Regis and stay a night or 2. Then continue by bus to Weymouth (unless friends drive out to pick you up).
No direct train goes from Exeter (& points west) to Weymouth. The odds are that you would change at Castle Cary if going all the way by train.
This is all very helpful information, thank you everyone!
