We're arriving in Southampton by ship in mid-May and will be departing on another ship 5 days later. Can anyone suggest an itinerary that will provide a good exposure to Cornwall in 5 days? I will have a car. Thanks.
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1869 posts
Here's a suggestion - round trip is 460 miles.
Arrival day - drive to Port Isaac, stopping at Tintagel enroute.
Days 2-3-4 drive to Zennor. We stayed at the Gurnard;s Head which is right on the coast with easy parking and excellent food. From there, you can easily explore western Cornwall. Mousehole is charming, many people like Saint Michel's Mount, the whole area has lots of ruins, both prehistoric and more recent. It's Poldark and "Rebecca" country.
Day 5 - Drive back to Southhampton, stops or an overnight could include Exeter or Salisbury.
Many people will tell you to overnight in St. Ives or Penzance. Both are just large enough to be annoying as far as traffic goes.
Posted by
3124 posts
First of all, applause for limiting your territory to Cornwall since you only have 5 days. Many people underestimate distances and the time it takes to get from one point to the next, leaving little or no time to actually experience the places you came to visit.
I think Cynthia's itinerary sounds excellent. I haven't been to some of the places she lists, but IMO St. Michael's Mount is magical -- don't miss it!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14818 posts
I stayed in Penzance recently on a RS tour and it just didn't click with me. I much preferred Falmouth where I stayed last Fall on a Road Scholar tour. We visited St Ives and again, not terribly impressed. Our guide had us take the train from near Penzance to St Ives so the bus could avoid the parking traffic!
I really enjoyed the smaller harbor towns we visited on the Road Scholar tour including Boscastle, Mevagissy, Charlestown, Fowey (did not get across to Polruan as the wind was up and the river was very choppy), St Mawes (across the mouth of the River Fal from Falmouth).
I would try to see one of the gardens as well since you'll be there in May. I did Lanhydrock with Rick's tour and Lost Gardens of Heligan with the Road Scholar tour. I preferred Heligan but choose whichever suits your route better. Lanhydrock had a Bluebell Wood which would have been jaw-droppingly beautiful if we'd been a week earlier (visited about May 29) - as it was it was very, very nice!
As indicated there are numerous megalithic sites in the area if that is of interest to you. I enjoyed Chysauster Village altho to be perfectly honest I'm not sure I'd want to drive up that lane to get to it!
Posted by
4 posts
Pam, thank you so much for your reply. I've been strongly considering the Falmouth area and your post was very encouraging. I had a connection with a family in the Plymouth, and Millbrook, areas but they have passed on so I was wondering where I could find a new home base. I am looking for a non-hotel type accommodation, and have found many options. If anyone has any thoughts, please feel free to share. Ta everso!
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you for the suggestions (and warnings). I have some planning to do.
Posted by
Monroe, NC
26 posts
Putting in a plug for Lyme Regis--it is midway from Portsmouth to Cornwall, the setting for Jane Austen's Persuasion, has a fossil museum, links to Mary Anning, and fossil walks along the Jurassic coast. And it is seems to be on your probable route.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
We based ourselves in Boscastle for 5 days. Having stayed in Penzance on a previous trip. Liked the quaint fishing village ambience of Boscastle.
Posted by
11 posts
Southwest England offers some of the most scenic towns in the UK.
If you can, try and fit these into your itinerary:
- St Ives, Cornwall - not just for the glorious views but the famous Tate Art Gallery is also there: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives
- The pretty fishing villages of Looe and Polperro https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/looe , https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/polperro
- The historic harbour towns of Salcombe and Dartmouth in South Devon: https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/places/salcombe-p238773 https://www.discoverdartmouth.com/ (Make sure you make time for some traditional cream teas!)
- Lastly, the city of Winchester (the former capital of England) is just a 30 min drive away from Southampton) Surrounded by beautiful countryside and steeped in history ( the legend of King Arthur and the round table) this city is definitely worth a look: https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk