Luxury Devon & Cornwall Walking Tour
At a Glance
- 6 days, 5 nights
- 5 Star Hotels
- Guided
- Pickup: Tiverton Parkway
- Carbon: 76kg CO2e
- Difficulty: Moderate
Join us for a luxury walking tour of the South West
Explore England’s very own pocket of the Caribbean, visiting Cornwall’s colourful fishing villages, golden sands and glittering coastlines. Then venture into Devon, where you’ll find wild forests and windswept moorland.
Our luxury tours are tailor-made to provide the best possible experience, fully immersing you in our amazing destinations while completely eliminating any-and-all stress. With handpicked local guides to show you the way, stay in one of the oldest buildings in Cornwall, dine in Rick Stein’s favourite pub and forage for fresh ingredients along the coast.
With gorgeous hotels, awe-inspiring panoramas and the very best local cuisine, Active England promises an authentic Cornish and Devonshire experience you’ll never forget.
- Wine tasting at The Pig luxury hotel
- Explore the historic castle of Tintagel and Port Isaac seaside town
- Foraging walking experience and a visit to the quaint fishing village of St Mawes
- Shucking oysters and local wine tasting
- Hiking the rugged Dartmoor in Devon
- Stay in the grand Bovey Castle
Your Itinerary
Our first day sees us hike from Trevose to Stepper Point, enjoying panoramic views of the ocean and estuary. From here, we walk into the bustling harbour town of Padstow, for a delicious lunch at Paul Ainsworth No.6. We’ll also take the opportunity to taste some excellent local wine at The Pig, a glamorous hotel occupying a stunning 15th century Cornish building.
Transferring to the seaside village of Tintagel, we spend our morning exploring the historic castle and gorgeous grounds, before lunching at Nathan Outlaw’s fish kitchen in Port Isaac. Famously featured in Doc Martin, we’ll take plenty of time to explore this iconic location, before hiking via Pentire Point to the seaside village of Rock, and enjoying dinner at Rick Stein’s favourite pub, The Cornish Arms.
Today we travel to Cornwall’s south coast, where local chef extraordinaire Rupert Cooper takes us for a foraging walking experience and a perfectly prepared lunch in the cosy inland village of Philleigh. In the afternoon, we continue our walk along the headland, before catching the ferry to the attractive fishing village of St Mawes.
Setting out from our hotel, we spend our morning hiking around the headland and exploring the fascinating St Mawes castle, before enjoying a walk along the peaceful Percuil River. In the afternoon, a local expert teaches us to shuck fresh-caught oysters, before we taste some beautiful Camel Valley sparkling wine.
We spend our final day hiking across Dartmoor, exchanging coastal vistas for rugged moorland and wild forests. Along the way, we walk with a local expert who will transport us back in time and help us to envisage medieval Devon. With the day drawing to a close, we end our tour in style with a night at Bovey Castle, where grandeur meets tranquillity.
With a heavy heart, we bid farewell to Devon and Cornwall, with our local guides providing any assistance you might need with your onward travel.
Map
Gallery
Handpicked Accommodation
The Newt, Somerset
This working country estate in Somerset has acres of splendid gardens, woodland, farmland and cyder orchards to explore. The main house was built in the 17th century, then remodelled in Georgian times. Sip tea in the Library, play croquet on the lawn or enjoy a game of badminton in Old Knobbly.
Idle Rocks, St Mawes
Perched perfectly on the rocks, in the heart of St Mawes, the hotel is your home away from home. Each of our bedrooms is individually designed to reflect the ultimate beauty in waterside comfort & luxury. With an award-winning restaurant, relaxing treatment room and unprecedented south-facing views across the water, the environment is relaxed and the hospitality is genuine and engaging.
The Pig at Harlyn Bay
One of Cornwall’s most historic houses dating back to the 15th century, The Pig has far-reaching sea views, oodles of quirks and character and stacks of original features. The unique bedrooms enjoy views out across the headland and Harlyn Bay the gardens or the courtyard. The restaurant has an obsessive commitment to home grown produce and a serious love of all-things local.
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor
Nestled in the rolling valleys of Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle Hotel and Spa stands within 275 acres of beautiful countryside. You can enjoy fabulous food, including afternoon teas, relaxed dinners in Smith’s Brasserie, or private dining, as well as fine dining in the Great Western Grill.
What our guides say...
See the finest of South West with exceptional culinary experiences and luxurious hotels in beautiful locations.
What’s Included
- All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
- All breakfasts
- GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
- All special events, iconic points of interests, expert guests and entrance fees
- All transportation from rendezvous to farewell locations
- All baggage transportation
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
- Services of a professional local guide
Accommodation Types
Luxury 5* hotels – the best in the South West, such as:
- Hadspen – The Newt in Somerset
- Padstow – The Pig
- St Mawes – The Idle Rocks
- Dartmoor – Bovey Castle
Difficulty Level
This tour is rated moderate, meaning it’s appropriate for guests who enjoy a good walk and can handle an incline or two. We cover varied terrain, enjoying some rolling hills and a few steeper walks which are slightly more demanding. Your holiday, however, will be tailored by your guide to suit your individual preferences. Daily distances range from 4-10 miles. Rewarding views are guaranteed!
Equipment Provided
Walking poles can be provided if required
Pre & Post Tour Travel
Many guests choose to arrive the day before the start of the tour, to settle in and explore the local area. Staying at The Newt, a wonderful country estate in Somerset, with acres of splendid gardens, woodland, farmland and cyder orchards, you’ll have the evening to settle in at your leisure.
We’ll discuss the best travel options for your trip and can also help you add on extra nights before or after if you’d like to explore further or perhaps spend some time in London or the Cotswolds.
FAQ's
Where is Devon & Cornwall?
Cornwall is in the far South West of England, bordered by the famous English Channel and Celtic Sea. Known for its natural beauty, rugged coastline, idyllic coastal villages, beaches and walking and cycling trails, Cornwall is an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal playground!
Devon is Cornwall’s wild neighbour, with craggy coasts to the North and South and ancient hills on Dartmoor! It has inspired authors and painters from afar and is a beautiful area in all weathers.
What is the best way to get to Devon and Cornwall?
The best way out of London and into Devon and Cornwall is by train. From Paddington direct to Exeter St David’s or Tiverton Parkway in around 2 hours, or continue to Bodmin Parkway in 4 hours. The South West is also easily accessible from Bristol and the Midlands by train. If you prefer to drive, there is station parking available at all train stations.
To get a bit deeper into both counties it is easy to get a taxi from the train station.
Can I join a tour as a solo traveller?
All our trips are open for single travellers to join, these trips are a great way to meet social, like-minded people, active and looking for a great holiday. Over 30% of our guests travel alone. Solo guests have the option to have a room on their own or share with another guest.
How hilly is Devon & Cornwall?
There are hills, but with hills come great views and it means you feel like you’ve earned your fish & chips, cream tea or Cornish pasty!
What’s the weather like in Devon & Cornwall?
Changeable! Devon & Cornwall has a much more tropical climate than the rest of England so it is often warmer and wetter – it’s not uncommon to have sunshine and showers in the same day, or even the same hour! It’s generally very pleasant and settled during the summer.
How fit and active do I need to be to come on a walking tour?
Most of our trips are appropriate for guests who enjoy a good walk and can handle an incline or two. We cover varied terrain, enjoying some rolling hills and a few steeper walks which are slightly more demanding. Daily distances range from 4-10 miles. Rewarding views are guaranteed!
Why go on a guided holiday?
Our guides are the beating heart of our tours and can make all the difference to the enjoyment of your walking holiday – so we make sure to choose them VERY carefully! They are driven, knowledgeable, know how to have A LOT of fun and importantly will take you on the ‘road less travelled’ across Devon and Cornwall. They are local to the South West and know the best spots for making your walking tour truly different and truly magical!
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Carbon Footprint
What’s the Number?
Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, we’ve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. We’ve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliers…
What does the number mean?
We’re going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?
- Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
- Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
- Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
- Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.
We’ve got a long way to go but we’re on our way to net-zero
We’re committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. We’ve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.
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