Our 3rd trip to England, my wife and I split our 14 days into 4 major chunks and focused on seeing the countryside sights in SW England. We landed at 7:30AM September 10th at Heathrow. 4 Major Bases: Bath/Wells, Marazion, Chagford, Corfe Castle. I've listed 4 major 7-8 mile hikes here for those who want the windblown wilderness experience. Giving credit where it is due, a few of the hikes were recommended by locals who I chatted with -- like the Ginger-haired guy with a mustache who works at the Three Crowns in Chagford who turned us onto a hike from Belstone. Mid week in September, it was the Dartmoor wilderness experience of a lifetime. Please feel free to recycle any part of the information contained here. Also credit to the weather, which was sunny and 70 degrees all days but 1.
FYI. When you hear the term "Southwest Coastal Path", you might picture a flat beach walk. But if you do the walk from Lullworth Cove to the Obelisk like we did, it's like climbing 4 mini mountains.
Here ya go:
Day 1: BATH. staying at hotel “Eight” for First of 2 nights in Bath. But first, land heathrow 7:30am. Catch national express bus to Bath. Arrive 1pmish. Dropped bags at hotel called “Eight”. Went for a walkabout and prearranged 4:30 tour of one royal crescent.
Day 2: BATH. Staying a second night at hotel “Eight”. Private guided tour of Bath with Ian Neumann. Lunch at Sally Lund when line was short (3:30PM). Evening did river walk. Attended King proclaimation at 2pm at City Hall.
Day 3: WELLS. Staying this night at Swan Hotel in Wells. But before going there, I relaxed morning in Bath. Visited some shops, bought hiking poles, found the Starbucks. At noon took taxi to Bristol airport to pickup rental car. Drove to Wells from the airport. Top floor room with view of cathedral was nice. Went for stroll after arrival about 3pm to see the city.
Day 4: MARAZION. Staying this night for 1st of three nights at the Godolphin in Marazion. But before leaving for Marazion, Day began 1/2 day Wells city tour with Ian Newmann. Afternoon drove to Marazion to check in to the Godolphin hotel for 3 nights. Supply run to Sainsbury’s in Penzance.
Day 5: MARAZION. Relaxed morning in marazion, afternoon drove 3ish miles to hike on sw coast path from perranuthnell beach to praa sands and back. Perfect weather. Don’t miss “back lane” walk for views of city and mount at sunset.
Day 6: MARAZION. Spent morning doing Rick Steve’s recommended walk in Penzance and visiting charity shops. 1:30 walked out at low tide to Saint Michael's mount. Did the tour. Dinner at Marazion Hotel restaurant.
Day 7: CHAGFORD. But before leaving for Chagford, Drove 25 minutes from Marazion to Pendeen Light/Watch to hike from Pendeen Light to Cape Cornwall and back again (8 miles). Parked at Pendeen light. After hike, drove to Chagford. Best non hairraising way into chagford is on the B3206 off of the A382. Don’t follow gps down cowpaths.
Day 8: CHAGFORD. Drove 25 minutes to Belstone, parked in car park ( postal code) EX20 1RB, walked up the road to the footpath into Dartmoor. We did a slightly longer version of the Oke Tor Circular Walk from Belstone UK. Added Steeperton Tor. Bring a map. I used the "Around and About" map of Okehampton, Belstone, Sticklepath, and South Zeal. I loved the Larger print on these maps for us 50+ folks.
DAY 9: CHAGFORD. Used B3206 and A382 again to go north a bit, then south toward Bovey Tracey. Parked at a small carpark past the main parking for Hal Tor and near Saddle Tor. Did loop hike from Saddle Tor, over HayTor, Smallacomb rocks, Hound Tor, and back to Saddle Tor. About 6 miles. Bring a map.