We will be travelling from Salisbury to Padstow ( Cornwall) ,in June and would like to break up the trip with a night in a town on the way. ( about half way) At this stage we are looking around Beer, Sidmouth etc. ( but no particular reason, other than about the right distance/time)
Is there something or a particular town along the way that we should aim for/see, so we can book the accommodation now.
we are already booked in at Salisbury and Padstow.
any ideas?
Lyme Regis is my favourite.
I could name several favourites. Lyme Regis is famous partly because of its Cob.
But maybe you aren't a fan of Jane Austen.
It sure would be easier to mention a place if we had a clue of what you'd like to see or do, how many and what age kids, previous experience, how you are getting from place to place - - otherwise it is like throwing darts over your shoulder.
Thanks for the replies, we will be travelling by car, are an middle age couple who do happen to enjoy Jane Austen. ( thinking of calling into her museum on the way to Salisbury)
we are looking for an interesting town to stay in where we can arrive, after spending a few hours driving and looking on the way at 'touristy' things. its nice to stay in a town where you can spend the late afternoon/evening strolling around the shops/streets etc and having a evening meal in an interesting spot. So large towns with traffic are best avoided and small towns with little accommodation/meals options are a bit restrictive.
then the next day move on again for another couple of hours drive ( then in this case arrive in Padstow)
coming from Australia we know what good beaches look like, so more typically 'english' places are of more interest
Lyme Regis has the addition of being the pivot of the Jurassic Coast which runs from Weymouth to Exmouth. It is however in Dorset rather than Devon.
Both Beer & Sidmouth are nice places but make sure that any place that you plan to book has parking.
If you are going W from Salisbury on the A30, stop at Shaftsbury & find Gold Hill = really quaint hill with cottages - everything you thought Ye Olde England would be! The next town - Sherbourne - is also worth a look.
From Sherbourne, you might like to detour south via the A352 and visit Minterne Gardens. Then, continue on this route (towards Dorchester) & stop just north of Cerne Abbas to see the Giant - carved into the hill across the valley. (I have seen many excited women at the lay-bye across the valley)!
http://www.minterne.co.uk/mjs/gardens.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerne_Abbas_Giant
Alternatively, visit Montacute House - just NW of Yeovil.http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house/
thanks James for the information.
