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Somerset Vs Dorest Where to Pretend to Be A Hobbit

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Hello all,

I have made a few posts and received some really great help from so many people. I have an itinerary planned for my first trip abroad in May. I get asked a lot and yes we are skipping London on purpose, yes I have mapped this out using Google maps at different time stamps (such as 9:00 am local time), and we are interested in funky art, music, good food, small towns, rambling down trails and countryside, and just being in British nature.
Here is the plan people have helped me figure out:

  • Thursday, Airport London, York, Travel Day, Nat's Family, Sleep in: Number 34 B&B, York
  • Friday, York, Shambles, Night Watchman tour, Sleep in: Number 34 B&B, York
  • Saturday, York to Conwy, Tour Conwy Castle, Sleep in: Number 18, Conwy
  • Sunday, Anglesy Island, Snowdonia, Beddgelert (not everything), Hiking, red squirls, boat rides, Sleep in: Number 18, Conwy
  • Monday, Bodnant Garden, Mid Wales, road trip, quaint towns, star
    gazing, Sleep in: Tiger Inn, Merthyr Tydfil
  • Tuesday, Breacon Beacons, hiking, Dinner Cardiff, Sleep in: Tiger Inn, Merthyr Tydfil
  • Wednesday, Bristol, Road trip, Club/night life, Sleep in: Brooks Guesthouse, Bristol
  • Thursday, Bristol, Shopping, Art, food, Sleep in: Brooks Guesthouse, Bristol
  • Friday, Tavistock, Dartmoor, Long drive, wander the moors, Sleep in: The Three Cocks Coaching INN, Fowey area
  • Saturday, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, explore seaside, Sleep in: The Three Cocks Coaching INN, Fowey area
  • Sunday, The Eden Project, drive to Lyme Regis, Sleep in: Westley B&B, Uplyme Lyme Regis
  • Monday, Devon, pretend I am a hobbit, Sleep in: Westley B&B, Uplyme Lyme Regis
  • Tuesday, Jurassic Coast, Abbotsbury Subtropical, Sleep in: Westley B&B, Uplyme Lyme Regis
  • Wednesday, Dorset, Corfe Castle, Drive through New Forest, Sleep in: Windsor Hotel Castle*, Windsor 20th Anniversary splurge
  • Thursday, Heathrow, walk around, breakfast, return car, customs Noon, fly out at 3:30 PM, Sleep at Home!!!!!!

I am pretty set on the plan up until after Bristol, although I might change where I stay the night. I think that Somerset area Wells, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury, Exmoor is very cool. I know I can't do everything in 15 days.
I have six days. I must go to The Lost Gardens of Heligan, and I must get to pretend in my head I am a hobbit walking the Shire to go from pub to pub, then traveling across the moors. This is the reason I am going to England.

Questions:
Which moors are more Weathertopesk for fleeing hobbits? Where are the best foot paths through country side, leading to a pint and a bite? I had the Cotswolds on my list but took them off because it seemed too busy.

I could take a day to drive from Bristol to Tavistock stopping in ells, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury and such along the way. Stay one in Tavistock or similar place, and cut a night from Lyme Regis. I am open to advice.

Posted by
2422 posts

When in York, I suggest you visit the National Railways Museum - which is located just west of York station.

The Tiger Inn in Merthyr looks lovely but I would not stay here. Merthyr is a down at heel former industrial town and I am not sure that car would be safe at night parked in the main street. It does not look like the Tiger Inn has its own parking. Any parking on the street outside is likely to be time limited to say an hour or so.

For Brecon Beacons area, consider instead Peterstone Court or Nant Ddu lodge which are located in country areas with own parking.
https://www.peterstone-court.com
https://nant-ddu-lodge.co.uk

You should check the parking situation for anywhere else that you wish to stay. Always look at these places on Google Streetview to avoid mistakes and ensure a happy trip.

Posted by
15057 posts

FYI--leaving Heathrow, there is no customs or immigration. However, you will go through security like any other airport.

Posted by
501 posts

Driving across Dartmoor, Chagford is a lovely little town/large village, although you don’t have much time to stop en route from Bristol to Fowey.

Posted by
5819 posts

Bad mouthing the people of Merthyr Tydfil is just not on. That is without evidence.

The hotel would not have 4.5* on Trip Advisor, and no mention of such parking problems in the reviews if there was a real issue. The hotel website says that there is a paid public car park (as opposed to street parking)- I suggest you check that situation with the hotel.

Posted by
291 posts

Kittycate1, you look like you are starting to nail this down, but speaking as a person who tends to over plan, try to give yourself time to just let things happen, too. Folks on here made me keep that idea in the back of my mind, and it really helped when a curveball was thrown into my itinerary.

Also, your desire to be all things hobbit makes me think of one of my favorite tv shows, The Big Bang Theory. Leonard and Penny’s First Kiss episode. You must watch it if you haven’t already! “You’re right, you saw what you saw. That’s how we roll in the Shire!”

Have fun on your trip and roll on! 😊

Posted by
5819 posts

On the more positive side I am trying to square adding in Wells, Cheddar, Glastonbury and Exmoor. Exmoor especially as that seems to be tracking well north of where you want to be. Wells, Cheddar and Glastonbury are going to be most of the day.

One question is, if Heligan is sacrosant, are you willing to lose the Eden Project? My thought process is saying, from Bristol to visit Somerset and stay somewhere Exmoor ish (maybe Dunster, Lynton/Lynmouth, that sort of area) on Friday night as opposed to Fowey.

Then Saturday wind your way down across Dartmoor, ending at Fowey. Sunday go to Heligan and thence on to Lyme Regis and pick the plan back up. I know this introduces 2x one night stays, but it seems to fit the 'extras'.

One question might be would either wherever you find on Exmoor and Fowey accept one night bookings? In season a lot of places in that part of the country want 2 night minimum stays.

With this brief I think Exmoor as well as Dartmoor would be good- it is trying to get it into the itinerary which is a bit of a challenge,

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