Today we have another great travel report for you. Dear Janine and her boyfriend Julian took an exciting round trip through Cornwall and Devon and are reporting on their personal highlights of the tour today. England might not necessarily be on your radar when it comes to road trips. But the extreme southwest of England has a lot to offer and awaits you with untouched nature, a mild climate, picturesque villages, golden sandy beaches, a rolling hilly landscape, and beautiful hiking trails. Have fun browsing and following along!

• Why Cornwall?
• Arrival by ferry
• Local transport
• Our route
• Devon round trip | Highlights
• Cornwall Tour | Highlights
• Accommodations
• Duration of our tour
• 3 things to pack

Why Cornwall?

“Why are you going to cold, wet England?” Yes – we heard that a lot. And the answer is quite simple: We didn’t want to head to a typical destination and wanted to travel by car. So we grabbed a map and looked at what was doable in 3 weeks. We actually had Ireland in mind, but the journey by car is simply too far in that time. While searching, I came across a picture of Cornwall and immediately fell in love. And we don’t regret it for a second!

Arrival by Ferry

The journey was something completely different for us – just without flying. We took the ferry from Calais to Dover. Alternatively, you can drive from Dunkirk to Folkestone; it doesn’t take much time. The crossing takes 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on the route, and costs around €70 for two people with a car. You can also take the Eurotunnel, which is much faster at 35 minutes – but also twice as expensive at around €150. We decided on the ferry, however – partly for cost reasons, of course, but also because we love the sea and could therefore start our vacation right with a beautiful boat trip.

Shortly before arriving in Dover, you have an incredible view of the White Cliffs of England. Once there, we first had to get used to driving on the left. But that was much easier than we thought, because the English are really considerate drivers and the roads were completely quiet. After about a six-hour drive, we arrived at our first apartment in Torquay (Devon). Ferry connection here with Direct Ferries*.

Local Transport

Since we arrived by car*, we naturally drove a lot. But you can also easily get from A to B by bus and train. It takes a little longer, but you don’t have to stress and can let the car drive you and enjoy the incredible scenery. We also often went hiking somewhere and then took the bus back to our car. That really wasn’t a problem here in southern England, as long as you weren’t out in the wilderness.

Our Route

We didn’t have a specific route. Before every trip, I always mark everything we want to see on a map and then try to find accommodation in the middle of all the markers. Because we had 8 days in Devon and Cornwall, we could basically live in the moment and do what we wanted, or sometimes what the weather said we could. So each time it was like a day trip to a different city or country, because each place has something completely different to offer.

Devon Round Trip | Highlights

Here in the southwest of England lies the county of Devon, with its largest cities, Plymouth, and Exeter. This region is known primarily for its coastal towns but also for its national parks, such as Dartmoor and Exmoor. Incidentally, the geological period “Devon” was also named after this county.

Salcombe Holiday Resort

Salcombe is a popular holiday resort in the southwest of England, in the South Hams district of Devon. Caramel-colored beaches, deep blue water, and a multitude of pastel-colored cottages around the harbor. Salcombe offers you the all-round package with a Caribbean feel. It’s not for nothing that England’s south coast is also called the English Riviera! Here, you’ll feel more like you’re in Spain on a Mediterranean coast than in England.

Trip to Kingswear

Kingswear is a small, sweet town in the South Hams in the southern English part of Devon. It lies on the east bank of the Dart Estuary and has around 1,400 inhabitants. Here you can take beautiful walks and discover fascinating views of castles, colorful houses, or simply the lush greenery.

Woolacombe Dune Landscape

On the north coast of Devon lies the beautiful town of Woolacombe. This town boasts a beautiful dune landscape reminiscent of Sylt and a 6 km long sandy beach. This beach has something for everyone: surfing in the rough waves, sunbathing among the dunes, a dip in the sea, or simply a lovely stroll along the beach. If you get a little hungry, you should definitely visit “The Jube.” A cozy pub, typically English in a way.

Cornwall Tour | Highlights

Even further south lies the county of Cornwall on the rugged southwestern tip of England. Here, you’ll find wild moorlands, countless beaches, the Cornish Riviera, stunningly beautiful bays, charming harbor villages, high cliffs, and seaside resorts with great surfing conditions (e.g., Newquay).

Porthcurno Beach

Wow! You have to see it. The view of Porthcurno Beach from the Minack Theatre is simply a dream. The granite cliffs are reminiscent of the Seychelles, and the water is crystal-clear and perfect for swimming (if it weren’t for the temperatures). A truly beautiful, natural beach without any food stalls or beach bars.

Watergate Bay

In the north of Cornwall lies the famous Watergate Bay and the beautiful town of Newquay. You can take a lovely walk along the cliffs with a magnificent view of the sea and then walk back down a small staircase along the beach. However, the wind can be quite strong here. noticeable – so don’t forget your windproof jacket!

South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is England’s longest waymarked long-distance trail and a National Trail. It runs over 1,014 km along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. The path was originally built for the Coast Guard in the fight against smugglers. Therefore, the path mostly runs directly along the coast, which doesn’t necessarily make it easier, but makes it all the more beautiful when you can look out to sea the whole time. The trail also leads through the small village of Sennen Cove, which is located in the south. The beaches, the bays, and the atmosphere here are particularly beautiful.

Accommodations

We love booking our accommodations through AirBnB. This way, you can meet locals right away, get insider information, and immerse yourself in everyday English life. In England, there are beautiful cottages as well as many apartments and holiday homes. There’s something for everyone. Prices start at around €50 per night. We chose one accommodation each in Devon (Torquay) and one in Cornwall (Falmouth). Alternatively, I can also recommend the towns of St. Ives, Newquay, or Salcombe. These places are ideally located for exploring both parts of the island. Starting points.

Duration of our tour

If you’re planning on doing this tour, you should allow yourself at least 2 weeks (3 weeks is better). The journey there and back by car alone takes about 3 to 4 days. We planned 16 days on site, which was just right. We had enough time to take a leisurely look at everything. So, even on a rainy day, we weren’t sad and didn’t have to worry about missing anything.

3 Things to Pack

For this trip, you should definitely bring comfortable, lightweight hiking shoes, an adapter for the power outlets, and a wind and rain jacket. Because we’re still in England, where a few drops of rain fall from the sky and the wind blows around your ears.