Country Roads of Wales, Devon & Cornwall - Classic Group
Country Roads of Wales, Devon & Cornwall - Classic Group
Country Roads of Wales, Devon & Cornwall - Classic Group
13 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: London, Oxford, England, Bath, Brecon Beacons National Park, Cardiff, Plymouth, Penzance, Cornwall, Exmoor National Park, England, Dorset, Jurassic Coast, England, Salisbury
Tour operator:
Tour code:
B996N26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes and historic landmarks of England and Wales with the "Country Roads of Wales, Devon & Cornwall - Classic Group" tour. Starting in London, this tour takes you through the charming university town of Oxford, the quintessentially British Cotswolds, and the historic city of Bath. Explore the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park, the vibrant city of Cardiff, and the legendary ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Discover the coastal beauty of Looe, St. Ives, and Penzance, and delve into the myths of Tintagel. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, including a stay at the five-star Bovey Castle in Dartmoor National Park, and savor local culinary delights such as a traditional roast dinner and Devonshire tea. Conclude your adventure with visits to the iconic Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral before returning to London. This tour offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation Name: The Clermont Victoria, London
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.
Day 2: Oxford, The Cotswolds And Bath
Location: Oxford, England
Accommodation Name: Apex, Bath
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
From lush green rolling hills to old-world villages, this pretty country surprises and delights at every corner. Make your your way along the scenic Great West Way to Oxford. A city built to be discovered, Oxford is a wholesome image of leather-bound books, libraries, storybook buildings and picnics. Continue your journey to the Cotswolds. Just as charming as Oxford, this breathtaking area is about as quintessentially British as it gets. Honey-colored stone houses line the winding streets of the area’s most beautiful towns and villages, while rapeseed fields decorate this colorful part of the UK in splashes of gold. See the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, before heading to the historic city of Bath, with its Roman and Georgian architecture. Head on an orientation of the city before checking in to your accommodation for the night, the luxury Apex Hotel. End your day in the most British of manners with a Sunday roast dinner.
Day 3: Bath Through The Years Relaxed Start
Location: Bath
Accommodation Name: Apex, Bath
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a relaxed start to enjoy the amenities at your hotel, begin your exploration of Bath. Having attained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987, this unique city is famous for its Georgian and Victorian architecture and of course its Roman-built baths. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths, also an important hub of culture and education for the area. During free time perhaps learn more about the life of the esteemed author Jane Austen, who made Bath her home?
Day 4: Brecon Beacons National Park
Location: Brecon Beacons National Park
Accommodation Name: Clayton, Cardiff
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After a relaxed start you’ll move cities, and countries, as you make your way to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Along the way you’ll visit the Brecon Beacons. A mountain range in South Wales, it is little surprise this striking location is a chosen destination for so many hikers and nature enthusiasts. Its old red sandstone cliffs hold a variety of plant life, including roseroot, green spleenwort and rue-leaved saxifrages, while its range of fauna includes otters, herons, kingfishers and the soaring red kite, which is the national bird of Wales. Visit the Brecon Beacons with Insight Choice. Choose to join your Local Expert for a foraging walk in the stunning surroundings of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Under her tuition she will show you how to reconnect with nature, and forage for edible and medicinal plants. Alternatively, visit a local kitchen garden for a peak into the freshest seasonal aromatics from the Brecon Beacons. After a morning in the great outdoors, rectify your lethargic bliss with a hearty Farm-to-Table pub lunch, where a delicious seasonal menu with local ingredients will be available. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Cardiff, Wales’ cultural hub.
Day 5: Cardiff Relaxed Start
Location: Cardiff
Accommodation Name: Clayton, Cardiff
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning. Join your Travel Director for an orientation of this vibrant city. See Principality Stadium, home of Welsh Rugby, and Cardiff Castle. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 6: Glastonbury Abbey And Plymouth
Location: Plymouth
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza, Plymouth
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin your day at the historic ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, an 8th-century monastery steeped in legend and now registered as a Grade I listed building. Continue to the port city of Plymouth in Devon, famous for its cobbled streets, gin distilleries and the Mayflower that transported the first English Puritans to the New World.
Day 7: Exploring The Southwest
Location: Penzance
Accommodation Name: The Royal and Fortescue, Barnstaple
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey to the quaint coastal town of Looe, a holiday hotspot of the Victorian era. Admire Looe’s turquoise waters and sandy beach before continuing to St. Ives, where art galleries, surf shops and fashion boutiques line the quaint streets. Continue to Penzance, made famous by the comic opera "The Pirates of Penzance," which recounts the adventures of pirates who arrived at the city's shores in the late 18th century.
Day 8: Legends Of Cornwall
Location: Cornwall
Accommodation Name: The Royal and Fortescue, Barnstaple
Meals Included: Breakfast
Admire the unspoiled maritime scenery of Cornwall as you begin your day in Tintagel, featured in the legendary tale of King Arthur and where, according to local lore, Arthur was born. Travel to Port Isaac, a pretty fishing village and popular filming location for British television programmes. Have your camera ready to capture stonework façades and coastline views during an orientation around the village. For lunch, visit Padstow and perhaps try traditional fish and chips before returning to Barnstaple.
Day 9: Breathtaking National Parks Relaxed Start
Location: Exmoor National Park, England
Accommodation Name: Bovey Castle, Dartmoor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stop in the town of Lynmouth before journeying to Somerset's Exmoor National Park, a unique landscape of moorland, woodland and dramatic coastline. A protected Area of Outstanding Beauty, this stunning park is a mass of verdant open land, livestock and flora. Stop in Exmoor for lunch at your leisure. Your day ends at Bovey Castle. Nestled in the rolling valleys of Dartmoor National Park, this five-star accommodation stands amid 275 acres of picturesque countryside and offers an award-winning 18-hole golf course, two refurbished restaurants and individually-designed rooms. Unwind in this natural sanctuary as you enjoy the comforts of Bovey Castle. Tonight, catch up with your fellow travelers over dinner at the hotel.
Day 10: Country Houses Of Dorset Relaxed Start
Location: Dorset
Accommodation Name: Summer Lodge Country House, Dorset
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stop at Athelhampton, a 500-year-old Tudor Manor House in the heart of Dorset. Join Estate Manager Owen for a walk through one of the world’s greatest estates, and enjoy time at leisure to explore the tranquil Elizabethan gardens. Delight in a quintessential Devonshire high tea with freshly baked scones and sandwiches.
Day 11: Jurassic Coast And Weymouth
Location: Jurassic Coast, England
Accommodation Name: Summer Lodge Country House, Dorset
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Admire England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast, during a visit to Lulworth Cove. Stroll with an ice cream on the pebbled beach or learn about the unique geology at the Visitor Center. Travel to seaside Weymouth and enjoy time at leisure to explore the town while snacking on traditional 'seaside rock'. Perhaps join an optional visit to historic Nothe Fort with its ghost tunnel and rampart views. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a dinner of delicious local cuisine and wine.
Day 12: Salisbury And Stonehenge
Location: Salisbury
Accommodation Name: The Clermont Victoria, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, journey to iconic Stonehenge to appreciate the history, and mystery, of this prehistoric monument. The ring of standing stones is believed to have been constructed between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. It was made a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1882 and, as one of Britain’s most celebrated sites, draws visitors from around the world. Continue to Salisbury and visit the 13th-century cathedral. Witness Britain's tallest spire and see the world's best-preserved original copy of the Magna Carta. End your day in London at the hotel.
Day 13: Homeward Bound
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to England and Wales as your journey ends this morning.
What's Included
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Meals
12 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners, and 1 Lunch are included.
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Activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Brecon Beacons: visiting a local kitchen garden or foraging for edible and medicinal plants with a Local Expert.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, along with all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
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Luggage Handling
Your bags are carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
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Wi-Fi
Stay connected with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Luxury Coach
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
What's Not Included
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Optional Transfers
If your flights are outside the scheduled times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation, you may need to purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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Optional Activities
Optional visits and activities, such as the visit to historic Nothe Fort, are not included and may require additional payment.
Mode of Transport
Travel comfortably in Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. The customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to very high standards.
Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations including The Clermont Victoria in London, Apex in Bath, Clayton in Cardiff, Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, The Royal and Fortescue in Barnstaple, Bovey Castle in Dartmoor, and Summer Lodge Country House in Dorset.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities can I choose from in the Brecon Beacons?
In the Brecon Beacons, you can choose between joining a Local Expert for a foraging walk to learn about edible and medicinal plants or visiting a local kitchen garden to see the freshest seasonal aromatics.
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What unique experience does the tour offer in Bath?
In Bath, you will visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths, which is also an important hub of culture and education for the area. This visit is part of a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
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What kind of meal experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a variety of meal experiences such as a traditional roast dinner in Bath, a Farm-to-Table pub lunch in the Brecon Beacons, and a Devonshire high tea with freshly baked scones and sandwiches at Athelhampton House and Gardens.
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What can I expect during the visit to Glastonbury Abbey?
During the visit to Glastonbury Abbey, you will explore the historic ruins of this 8th-century monastery, which is steeped in legend and now registered as a Grade I listed building.
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What are some of the highlights of the visit to Cardiff?
In Cardiff, you will have an orientation tour with your Travel Director, where you will see the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the city.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect at Dartmoor National Park?
At Dartmoor National Park, you will stay at Bovey Castle, a five-star accommodation nestled in 275 acres of picturesque countryside. The castle offers an award-winning 18-hole golf course, two refurbished restaurants, and individually-designed rooms.
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What is special about the visit to Stonehenge?
The visit to Stonehenge allows you to appreciate the history and mystery of this prehistoric monument, believed to have been constructed between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. It is one of Britain’s most celebrated sites and draws visitors from around the world.
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What can I do during the free time in St. Ives?
During your free time in St. Ives, you can explore art galleries, surf shops, and fashion boutiques that line the quaint streets of this charming coastal town.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. The coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to very high standards, with physical distancing measures implemented.
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What kind of support is available for luggage during the tour?
The tour includes porterage services, meaning your bags will be carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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