Devon and Cornwall: 5-Day Tour from London

Stonehenge, a cliff-top castle linked to King Arthur, wild Dartmoor and Cornwall’s fishing villages all fit into five days on this small-group trip from London. The route takes you from old Wessex to England’s far western edge, with nights in Exeter and Falmouth.

I like two things in particular: the 16-seat minicoach can reach places that are awkward for a big coach, and the schedule mixes famous sights with smaller towns and open countryside. You also get time to explore many stops on your own, rather than staying beside a guide all day.

The trade-off is a brisk pace, with plenty of road time, especially on the final return to London. B&B standards and locations can vary, too, and some are a 20 to 30 minute walk from restaurants and pubs.

At a glance

• Small group: A top-of-the-range 16-seat Mercedes minicoach carries no more than 16 participants.
• Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle: Admission to both is included in the tour price.
• Four B&B nights: Locally owned guesthouses and B&Bs provide en suite rooms and breakfast.
• A varied route: Roman Exeter, moorland, fishing villages, coastal scenery and Glastonbury all feature.
• Meals and other admissions cost extra: Plan for lunches, dinners, refreshments and entry fees beyond the two included sites.

A five-day route from London to the far west

The tour starts at Greenline Coach Terminal on Bulleid Way, behind Victoria Train Station and diagonally across from Victoria Coach Station. That distinction matters: the departure is not from Victoria Coach Station, so check the address before setting off.

From there, the route heads through Devon and Cornwall, with two nights in Exeter and two in Falmouth. On the fifth day, you travel back to London by way of Glastonbury. The compact group makes it easier to get to smaller places, but the schedule still covers a lot of ground. Pack for a trip that balances sightseeing with time in the minicoach.

Your driver-guide is a key part of the trip. The guide shares local context while driving, handles the route and helps the group keep to its schedule. Guides on past departures have included John, David, Jack, Dan, Neil and June, but your guide will depend on your travel date.

At the stops, you can expect time to look around independently. This gives you room to choose a walk, a museum or a café, but you’ll need to keep an eye on the agreed return time.

Day 1: Winchester, Stonehenge and Exeter

The first day makes a strong start with two very different stops. Winchester was once the capital of Anglo-Saxon England, and its cathedral and Norman Great Hall give you a clear sense of the city’s long role in English affairs. It is also a useful first chance to stretch your legs after leaving London.

Stonehenge shifts the mood from city history to a famous prehistoric monument. Admission is included, which removes one extra cost from a day that already includes a substantial drive. Give yourself time to take in the stone circle and its setting; this is a place where the scale and open surroundings matter as much as the stones themselves.

After Stonehenge, you continue to Exeter, your base for the next two nights. The Roman city is described as Rome’s most southwesterly fortified settlement, and its Roman walls, underground passages and Norman cathedral give you plenty to explore the following day. Since the tour includes two nights here, you won’t need to pack up again in the morning.

Day 2: Dartmoor, Postbridge and Exeter

Dartmoor brings a change of pace: broad, open moorland rather than streets and monuments. The route includes Postbridge’s old clapper bridge, a striking historic crossing that offers a good reason to get out and walk a little. Bring suitable footwear and a weather-ready layer. You can’t count on the open moor feeling like the city, even on a short outing.

The next stop is Tavistock, a market town associated with Francis Drake. It gives the day a more settled, local feel before you return to Exeter in the early afternoon. The sequence works well: countryside first, then time in a historic city.

In Exeter, you can choose among the underground passages, the old city walls, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the 12th-century Norman cathedral. The tour names these sights as options, but not every admission is included. Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle are the only included entries specified, so check costs for any other attraction you hope to visit.

Day 3: Boscastle, Tintagel and Port Isaac

On the third day, the route turns to the North Cornwall coast. Boscastle is an Elizabethan fishing village, with a dramatic headland for a walk and a Museum of Witchcraft for a more unusual stop. You can also pause for a cream tea, a classic Cornish treat and a welcome sit-down on a busy sightseeing day.

Tintagel Castle is a highlight for many visitors, thanks to its setting on a headland and its long association with the King Arthur stories. The ruins and the surrounding cliffs make this stop as much about the place and the views as the legend. Admission is included, though the tour doesn’t specify how much time you’ll have at the site. If you want a long visit, keep that in mind when weighing the pace.

After lunch, the minicoach heads to Port Isaac, a small fishing village made familiar to many through the television series Doc Martin. It is also simply a pretty place to wander, with a harbour and narrow streets. This stop is one of the tour’s most appealing chances to enjoy a village at walking pace rather than through a coach window.

The day ends in Falmouth, where you stay for two nights. As in Exeter, that second night means you can explore the area without packing up again the next morning.

Day 4: St Michael’s Mount, the Minack and Land’s End

The fourth day is devoted to Cornwall’s western end. You visit St Michael’s Mount, then the Minack Theatre, an outdoor theatre built into cliffs above the Atlantic. The Minack’s setting is the point: it combines a working performance venue with a striking coastal outlook. Past groups have especially valued the theatre and Port Isaac, so allow yourself time to take in the place rather than rushing through for a quick photo.

Porthcurno, a National Trust beach, adds a stretch of coast before the route reaches Land’s End, England’s most westerly tip. The day then follows a part of Cornwall marked by old tin-mining remains, an industry that shaped the region and gives the scenery another layer beyond beaches and sea views. The area has also served as a filming location for Poldark.

The final stop is St Ives, known for its art galleries and harbour-side lanes. You can browse, walk by the water or simply enjoy the town’s different feel after a day of headlands and open coast. Then it’s back to Falmouth for the night.

Several sites on this day may have their own entry fees, and the tour price only specifies included admission to Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle. Leave room in your budget if you want to go inside attractions beyond those two.

Day 5: Bodmin Moor and Glastonbury on the way home

The last morning takes you across Bodmin Moor, an open stretch of moorland designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s a final taste of Cornwall’s quieter interior before the route turns east.

Glastonbury offers a choice between the ruins of its 7th-century abbey, lunch in town or the climb up Glastonbury Tor for views across five counties. This is a flexible stop, but it also comes late in a trip with a long drive back to London. One practical criticism of the schedule is that the return day can feel drawn out, and a longer pause in Glastonbury may leave less time for the journey itself. Think of it as a last stop on the way home, not a full day in town.

What the small group and B&B stays mean

With a maximum of 16 people, the minicoach keeps the group small enough for conversation and easier boarding than a large coach. The vehicle is a top-of-the-range 16-seat Mercedes, and transport has received very high marks from past participants. The format can also suit solo visitors: there’s a chance to meet people over several days, without being tied to a large tour group.

The driver-guide provides context and practical recommendations, but the trip leaves room for independent exploring. That balance is a strength if you like hearing the stories behind a place but prefer to choose your own route once you arrive. It’s less suited to anyone who wants a guide to lead every visit or a long, unhurried stay at each attraction.

Accommodation is in small, locally owned guesthouses and B&Bs, with en suite rooms and breakfast included. The quality can vary from one property to another, and the group may be split between different places. Some past stays have been praised, while others have drawn complaints about tired rooms or being separated from the rest of the group. Treat the B&B element as practical lodging, not a guaranteed boutique-hotel standard.

Many of the properties are on town outskirts, so allow for a 20 to 30 minute walk to pubs and restaurants. If stairs are difficult for you, tell the operator in advance: these properties do not have lifts. Breakfast is covered, but lunches, dinners and refreshments are on you, so plan for those costs each day.

Is $1,180 a fair price?

At $1,180 per person, you’re paying for five days of minicoach transport, an English-speaking driver-guide, four nights’ accommodation, breakfasts and admission to Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle. You also avoid planning a multi-stop route across Devon and Cornwall yourself, which can be valuable if you have limited time or don’t want to drive.

The price doesn’t cover most meals or every attraction. You’ll want extra money for lunch and dinner each day, drinks and any entry fees beyond the two included sites. The cost makes the most sense if you value having transport and the main overnight arrangements handled for you, and if you’re happy with simple, locally run B&Bs rather than a fixed hotel standard.

Who should book this trip?

I’d consider this tour if you have five days to spare, want to see both Devon and Cornwall, and like a mix of guided context and independent time. It’s especially useful for solo visitors, people who don’t want to rent a car and anyone keen to combine major sights with villages and countryside.

It may not suit you if you prefer a slow pace, need consistent hotel facilities or want to choose every stop and overnight stay yourself. The schedule is full, the final drive is long, and the accommodation can be spread across different properties. Children under five are not accepted, and anyone under 18 must travel with an adult.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Stance 3 at Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH. This is behind Victoria Train Station and diagonally across from Victoria Coach Station, not inside Victoria Coach Station.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts five days, starting and ending in London.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 16 participants and travels in a 16-seat Mercedes minicoach.

What accommodation is included?

Four nights in small, locally owned guesthouses and B&Bs are included. Rooms are en suite, and breakfast is included.

Are meals included?

Breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners and refreshments are not.

Which attraction admissions are included?

Admission to Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle is included. Other entry fees are not included unless specified.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under five are not accepted. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 14 days in advance for a full refund.