Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Wednesday: Arrival
On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer will take you to the Audleys Wood Hotel in Basingstoke, where we stay overnight. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
Thursday: Jane Austen’s House Museum & Chawton House
For our first visit, we head to Jane Austen’s House Museum, the charming house where she spent the last eight years of her life. It was in this country cottage where Austen completed the majority of her mature writing, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice. The museum tells the story of the author and her family through a host of treasures, including first editions of Austen’s books, jewellery and furniture.
We continue to Chawton House, an Elizabethan manor house that once belonged to Jane Austen’s brother, Edward Austen Knight. It now accommodates a unique library of titles focusing on women’s writing in English from 1600 to 1830. We find out more during our guided tour, preceded by lunch.
Later, we check into our overnight hotel, the Devon Hotel in Exeter.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
Friday: Broadchurch Country, Jurassic Coast (West Bay & Lyme Regis) & A la Ronde
Today we head down to Broadchurch Country to take in some of the highlights of the Jurassic Coast. We start with the scenic marvel of West Bay, filming location for the popular TV series Broadchurch, where the striking sand-hued cliffs are instantly recognizable. Next stop is Branscombe, a quaint village of thatched houses, a renovated water mill, an Old Bakery tea room and a working forge, restored by the National Trust, followed by the charming seaside town and fishing port of Lyme Regis, home to Britain’s most famous paleontologist, Mary Anning, and the site where she made many of her findings. This ‘Pearl of Dorset’ is nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Jurassic Coast and features the Cobb, an iconic jetty which starred in the five-time Oscar-nominated movie, The French Lieutenant’s Woman.
We then step into another world at A la Ronde, a unique 16-sided house built at the request of two spinster cousins in the 18th century. This eccentric house, with quirky diamond-shaped windows and fascinating interior decoration, is crammed full of extraordinary artifacts, curiosities and mementoes from the cousins’ grand European tour.
This evening, we check into the special Bovey Castle Hotel, where we stay for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
Saturday: Knightshayes & Killerton
We begin our day with a visit to Knightshayes, one of England’s finest Victorian Gothic houses by eccentric designer William Burges. Full of quirks and curiosities, the mansion boasts intricate carvings and impressive ceilings plus a medieval Great Hall with minstrels’ gallery. The garden is also a delight to explore with over 1,200 plant species unique to Knightshayes, representing one of the most varied collections of the National Trust.
Home to the Acland family until 1944, our next stop of Killerton is a fine 18th-century house surrounded by a glorious landscape garden and parkland. Here we find out more about the history of the house and its vast 6,400 estate as well as the captivating story of how Sir Richard Acland’s strong political beliefs led him to give up the family home and inheritance to the National Trust. Killerton also boasts the largest fashion collection cared for by the National Trust, with over 20,000 pieces of clothing, accessories and objects.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5
Sunday: Jamaica Inn & Lanhydrock
Leaving Dartmoor National Park, we drive through the breathtaking Bodmin Moor to Jamaica Inn, Cornwall’s most famous smuggling inn, located high up on this wildly rugged moor. Full of legend, this historic coaching house was made famous by Daphne du Maurier’s tale of smugglers, rogues and pirates and has been welcoming travellers for nearly 300 years. A light lunch is included here.
We continue to Lanhydrock, one of the most fascinating and complete late 19th-century houses in England. Bursting with period atmosphere and with extensive servants’ quarters, we discover two sides of Victorian life and admire the extensive gardens, with their beautiful herbaceous borders and a formal parterre.
Later, we check into the Headland Hotel in Newquay, where we stay for the next five nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
Monday: Godolphin & St Michael’s Mount
This morning, we take a guided tour of Godolphin, which played a pivotal role in Cornwall’s mining history and its transformation of life in Britain. While evidence of human existence on this site dates back to the Bronze Age, the land was acquired in the 12th century by the rising powerful Godolgun family, who proceeded to build a moated house here. With the exploding popularity of tin mining in the area, the family’s wealth greatly increased during the Tudor period and beyond. Today, Godolphin is recognised as a Cornwall and West Devon mining landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site and showcases a range of fascinating features, including a medieval garden, Piggery tea room, Grade II listed farm buildings and a Grade I listed house, all surrounded by 500 acres of stunning rural countryside.
A delightful afternoon tea awaits at St Michael’s Mount, one of the most iconic of Cornwall’s sights and connected to the mainland by a cobbled causeway. The little sister of Brittany’s Mont St Michel, this craggy island features a medieval castle which has been home to the St Aubyn family since the 17th century, a harbor and village with a close-knit island community. Depending on tide times, we either enjoy a boat ride to and from the island or a 15-minute walk along the ancient cobbled walkway.
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
DAY 7
Tuesday: Tresco Abbey Garden
We take a helicopter ride across to Tresco, the second largest of the Isles of Scilly. Here we explore the glorious Tresco Abbey Garden, a horticultural paradise where some 20,000 exotic species from 80 countries thrive in the sub-tropical climate. Originally established as a private garden in the 19th century by island owner Augustus Smith, the diversity of plant life found within the garden is as extraordinary as it is unique.
If the weather isn’t on our side, we enjoy lunch and a wander around at the Eden Project, built into the Cornish countryside and often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. With thousands of species of plants to see both indoors and out and a wealth of activities taking place every day, there is always something new to set our eyes on. The aerial walkway affords lovely views over the Rainforest Biome, the largest rainforest in captivity.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
Wednesday: St Ives, Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden & Roswarne House
Today we see why artists have long been drawn to Cornwall. We begin with the holiday town of St Ives, the perfect place to stroll along one of the sandy beaches, watch the fishermen launch their boats from the harbor, wander through the maze of cobbled streets and admire the pretty cottages. Here take in the artwork on display at the Cornwall branch of the Tate Gallery, which showcases stunning pieces from artists that have attracted international attention.
We then visit the nearby Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden, the former home and studio of the eminent British sculptor. Opened in 1976 by Hepworth’s family, it contains the largest collection of her works and a stunning garden with sculptures placed by the artist herself, decades ago. As we wander around here and feel the sea breeze, it’s easy to see why ‘finding Trewyn Studio was a sort of magic…here was a studio, a yard and garden where I could work in open air and space.’
Our next stop is Roswarne House, once an ancient farmhouse and extended in 1810 by landed gentry. Nestled in six acres of picturesque parkland, the property has now returned to its former glory, after an extensive restoration project, and highlights include a delightful Orangery, Ballroom, Library and Drawing Room. We find out more when we meet the current owner, and also enjoy some refreshments here.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
Thursday: Port Isaac, Pencarrow House & Gardens, Prideux Place & Padstow
Any travelers who have seen the British TV series Doc Martin or the Fisherman’s Friends movies will no doubt recognise charming Port Isaac. We visit various filming locations in the small fishing village, which boasts winding streets lined with whitewashed cottages and a quaint harbor with clear waters (when the tide is in!), sheltered by rolling verdant scenery. Don’t miss the lovely pasty shop here – it’s a must when in Cornwall!
A warm Cornish welcome awaits at Pencarrow House, nestled on the edge of Bodmin Moor and the family home of the Molesworth-St Aubyns for almost 500 years. Our guided tour uncovers the secrets of this magnificent house, along with hidden passageways, glorious portraits, fine porcelain and marble busts sporting a variety of hats upon the wishes of the Lady of the Manor. There is plenty to explore outside too, from a colourful Italian garden and wild woodlands to walking routes, an Iron Age hill fort and a grotto, believed to have once been a secret meeting place.
We continue with a guided tour of Prideaux Place on the north coast, located close to Padstow and the home to fourteen generations of the Prideaux-Brunes. Completed in 1592, this Elizabethan manor house has changed little over the last four centuries and the magnificent rooms offer a captivating slice of history and plenty of unique treasures, including Italian paintings, elegant antiques, an ever-growing collection of teddy bears and you can also find England’s oldest cast iron canon in the armoury. The author of Poldark, Winston Graham, became a great friend of the family and regularly visited the house, and part of the estate was used for dramatic clifftop scenes in the 2015 BBC adaptation of the popular novel. Outside, the grounds are gradually being restored to their former glory with an 80-tree lime avenue and a remodelling of the Victorian formal garden.
For an early dinner we head to the charming port resort of Padstow, famous for its connection to chef Rick Stein and pretty harbor.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
Friday: Charlestown & Plymouth
After checking out of the hotel, we enjoy some time in Charlestown, an unspoiled example of a late Georgian working port, constructed in response to the growth of the local mining industry. Other businesses were established such as pilchard curing and ship building, with many attractive period properties built up in the village. Charlestown is also a popular filming location with credits including the BBC’s hugely successful Poldark TV series, and there are often square rigger ships in the harbor.
We travel to Plymouth, a handsome city with a wonderful waterfront that boasts the historic Sutton Harbor and Barbican, a vibrant place of cobbled streets and narrow lanes. Lunch is served at Rockfish, which specialises in local, fresh fish on the harborfront, before we take a look at the famous Mayflower Steps. Flanked by British and American flags, this spot marks the final departure point of the pilgrims who journeyed to the New World, reaching America after a gruelling 10 weeks at sea.
Later we check into the Lincombe Hall Hotel, where we stay for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
Saturday: Greenway, Burgh Island Hotel & Agatha Christie Walk
After a journey on the foot ferry we arrive at Greenway, the much-loved holiday home of Christie and her family. Nestled on the side of the River Dart and surrounded by a picturesque woodland garden, this atmospheric house is set in the 1950s and contains many of the family’s collections. As you wander through the atmospheric rooms, imagine Christie reading her latest mystery novel to her guests here.
We then take a special trip to the beautiful Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel, accessed by a unique sea tractor from Bigbury on Sea Beach. Built in 1929 and extended in 1932, the hotel has been restored to its 30s glamour and previous guests include Winston Churchill, Josephine Baker, Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. You can just visualize Agatha Christie writing two novels here (Evil Under the Sun and And Then There Were None), with the glitz of the hotel appealing to her as a literary setting.
Later on, we return to Torquay, not only famous for its continental harbor and palm-tree lined promenade, but also as the birthplace of The Queen of Crime. Did you know that this is where Agatha Christie learned about poisons while working as a pharmacist? We take a walking tour of the Agatha Christie Mile and tick off the seafront locations connected to her life and works.
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
DAY 12
Sunday: Hardy’s Cottage, Max Gate & Clouds Hill
Leaving Cornwall, we travel to Thomas Hardy’s birthplace, Hardy’s Cottage. Little altered since the Hardy family left, this delightful cob and thatch cottage is surrounded by a typical cottage garden of honeysuckle, climbing roses and japonica, and is where Hardy wrote some of his early poetry and novels including Under the Greenwood Tree and Far from the Madding Crowd.
We continue to the outskirts of Dorchester and the atmospheric Victorian house Max Gate, designed by Hardy in 1885 and where he lived until his death in 1928. Hardy wrote some of his most famous novels here including Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure.
For our final visit we head to Clouds Hill, the idyllic retreat of writer, army officer, archaeologist and friend of Thomas Hardy, T.E. Lawrence, perhaps better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Designed and furnished to his personal taste, the fascinating rooms have largely been unchanged since Lawrence lived, wrote, read and entertained guests here. Other highlights include his shed where he kept his beloved motorcycles, the lovely views from the hill that overlooks the cottage and the little Greek inscription above the front door: ‘why worry?’
Later, we check into the Castle Hotel in Windsor, where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13
Monday: Departure
A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
