Four Day Small Group Tour to Devon and Cornwall - In Search of Arthur

Want to tour the back roads of Devon and Cornwall but don't want to join a large coach group? Looking for flexibility and spontaneity in your itinerary? Do you have a few days to really get deep into the west country?

These are the counties of the great prehistoric ruins such as Stonehenge, England's great maritime tradition, picturesque fishing villages and seaside resorts. It is here you can see the apple orchards of Somerset, patchwork countryside of Devon, awe-inspiring moorlands, rugged cliff-top coastlines and the famed surfing sandy beaches of south-west England.

Tradition and culture have remained true to the English spirit here and you feel spirited back into another, less busy age. It's also a land of Celtic legend and of the romantic King Arthur whose own life you will discover.

With a maximum group size of 11 and a university educated guide/driver, you are sure to have a memorable and personal experience.

Schedule Details Departs: Seasonal
April 12 to November 01, 2008
Saturday Departure Point: See "Departure Time" field Departure Time:

• Royal National Hotel (nearest underground: Russell Square) - 8:15am
• Corus Hotel (nearest underground: Lancaster Gate) - 8:25am
• Grosvenor Thistle (nearest underground: Victoria Station) - 8:30am
• Holiday Inn Kensington Forum (nearest underground: Gloucester Road) - 8:40am
• Chiswick Hotel (nearest underground: Turnham Green) - 9:00am

Return details: Tour returns to your central London hotel (Day 4) at approximately 6:00pm Hotel Pickup: Hotel pick up is available from The Royal National, Corus Hotel, Grosvenor Thistle, Holiday Inn Kensington Forum and Chiswick Hotel. Please advise your preferred pick-up point at the time of booking Itinerary:

Day One:

Departing London, drive through England's oldest county, Wiltshire, across the amazing Salisbury Plain where you'll see the great prehistoric temple of Stonehenge and a landscape simply littered with ancient burial sites. You'll also see the evidence of Iron Age hill forts, possible sites of where the great Celtic king, Arthur and his Round Table knights took on the Saxon invaders.

Continue to Winchester to see the great Round table in the mediaeval hall. Next take time to explore Cadbury Castle, perhaps the site of Camelot, and some lovely surrounding thatched villages before arriving at your accommodation base in Devon or Somerset borders for three nights.

Day Two:

Today you will explore the timeless country of Dorsetshire. This is real back-roads country where you'll believe time has stood still amidst the villages and harbors of the region. Jane Austen's Lyme Regis is one of the highlights of the day, as will be Thomas Hardy's cottage and monument. You will be introduced to a few martyrs (such as the trade unionists of Tolpuddle, and those who died at the "bloody Judge" Jefferies hand). You'll also see the famed Chesil beach and the quaint town of Dorchester. And there'll be time for shopping in the lace and antique town of Honiton.

Dependent on time and group interests there may be time to include Lawrence of Arabia's home, a carved giant and England's smallest pub! This is a day that you can really call getting down the "back-roads".

Day Three:

Cross the beautiful and awesome landscape of the Dartmoor National Park, en route to the north Cornwall coast. Here, you'll visit Tintagel castle, the reputed birthplace of King Arthur. The castle sits on top of the wild cliffs accessible only by walking. Later, visit a selection of the quaint fishing villages of the north Cornwall and Devon coasts. This is a day where photographers need to ensure a plentiful supply of film! Finally, a day in Cornwall would not be complete without a stop for a famed Cornish "pastie" somewhere on route, perhaps in a thatched-roofed country pub?

Day Four:

On today's itinerary is Cheddar Gorge and the mystic town of Glastonbury, site of Arthur's burial and New Age capital of England. Here you'll see the ancient abbey and the mysterious "Tor". Next visit Wells and its famed Norman 12th century cathedral before travelling the short distance to the stunning city of Bath. You'll have time to explore this elegant Georgian city and its Roman remains before the drive back to London partially by the old coaching road.

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