Devon and Cornwall: 5-Day Tour from London

England’s southwest rewards slow travel. This five-day trip links Stonehenge, Dartmoor, Tintagel, St Michael’s Mount, Land’s End, and St Ives without making you plan a complicated rail and bus journey. You travel in a small 16-seat Mercedes minicoach, with four nights in local guesthouses and B&Bs.

I especially like the small-group size, which makes narrow coastal roads and village stops practical. I also like the freedom built into the days: your guide gives context and meeting times, then you explore many places on your own. The main caution is the pace. You cover a lot of ground, and accommodation quality can vary from one night to the next.

The price is $1,180 per person. That is not cheap, but it includes transport, four breakfasts, two major admissions, and a guide who handles the driving and route planning. For anyone with only five days and a strong interest in historic sites, coastlines, and rural England, this can be a sensible package.

Key points before you book

• A 16-seat Mercedes minicoach: Smaller transport reaches places large coaches cannot, but five days still means plenty of road time.
• Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle included: These are two of the trip’s biggest paid sights, and both add important historical context.
• Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor: The tour gives you time among open moorland, old bridges, granite country, and tin-mining remains.
• Cornwall’s dramatic western coast: The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Land’s End, and St Ives form the strongest sightseeing day.
• Locally owned accommodation: Breakfast is included, but rooms are split among different B&Bs and may sit 20 to 30 minutes from town facilities.
• A guide-led but independent style: Guides such as Jack, John, David, June, and Neil have been praised for humor, care, local advice, and safe driving.

Why a small minicoach makes this route work

The tour begins at Stance 3 in the Greenline Coach Terminal on Bulleid Way, directly behind Victoria Train Station. This is not Victoria Coach Station, so check the address carefully before setting out.

From there, the group travels in a top-of-the-range 16-seat Mercedes minicoach. The vehicle is a major part of the experience. A large coach would struggle with some of Cornwall’s narrow roads and compact villages, while a minicoach creates a more personal setting.

The group is limited to 16 people, though several departures have been smaller, with one group numbering only five and another eight. That gives you a better chance to speak with the guide and fellow passengers without the formal feel of a large bus tour.

The driver-guide provides commentary while you travel, then usually lets you explore the stops independently. This balance suits me. You get useful stories and practical directions, but you are not marched from one photo stop to another.

The strongest praise has gone to the guides. Jack was described as attentive and upbeat, while John, David, June, Dan, Kate, Helen, Neil, and others were praised for local knowledge, humor, good driving, and thoughtful care. The guide can also suggest places to eat and help adjust plans when weather changes.

One point deserves care if English is not your first language. A recent passenger found one guide’s accent difficult to follow, even though the guide was kind and capable. If you rely heavily on spoken commentary, it is worth considering how comfortable you are with different regional accents.

Day one: Winchester, Stonehenge, and Exeter

The first stop is Winchester, once the capital of Anglo-Saxon England. You have time to see its cathedral and the Norman Great Hall, two places that give the trip an early sense of England’s long political and religious story.

Winchester is a good opening stop because it feels like a real city rather than a quick roadside attraction. The cathedral is the grand centerpiece, while the Great Hall offers a more compact visit. You should keep an eye on the meeting time, since the day continues west.

Stonehenge comes next. Admission is included, which helps with the overall value of the tour. The stone circle is one of those sites where the setting matters as much as the stones themselves. The open plain gives you room to think about the monument rather than simply taking a quick photograph.

You then continue to Exeter, your base for two nights. Exeter began as the Romans’ most southwesterly fortified settlement, and its Roman origins still shape the city’s identity. The first day involves a long transfer from London, Winchester, and Stonehenge, so you may be ready for a quiet evening rather than a late meal out.

Day two: Dartmoor, Postbridge, Tavistock, and Exeter

Day two shifts from ancient monuments to open countryside. Dartmoor gives you a taste of southwestern England at its wildest, with broad moorland and a sense of space that contrasts sharply with London.

At Postbridge, the old clapper bridge is the small but memorable stop. Built from large stone slabs, it shows how people once crossed the river before modern engineering took over. It is also a good place for a short walk and photographs.

The route continues to Tavistock, a historic market town associated with Sir Francis Drake. The stop gives you a change of rhythm: after Dartmoor’s open country, you can browse streets and take a break in a town with a more settled feel.

You return to Exeter in the early afternoon, leaving time to explore the city. The Roman walls and underground passages are the most unusual features. The passages once carried water beneath the city, and their cramped setting gives the visit a more physical sense of the past than a standard museum display.

You can also choose the Royal Albert Memorial Museum or Exeter Cathedral. The cathedral dates from the 12th century and is one of the city’s major sights. Since entry fees are not generally included unless specified, check current prices before entering optional attractions.

This day is especially good for people who like variety. You get moorland, a stone bridge, a market town, Roman remains, a museum, and a cathedral in one compact day. The trade-off is that no single stop receives a very long visit.

Day three: Boscastle, Tintagel, and Port Isaac

The third day reaches the North Cornish coast. Boscastle is a beautiful Elizabethan fishing village with a strong sense of place, steep paths, and dramatic coastal views.

You can stop for a cream tea, walk toward the headland, or visit the Museum of Witchcraft. The choice matters because this is one of the tour’s more flexible stops. If you prefer fresh air, use the time for the coast. If weather is poor, the museum offers a more sheltered alternative.

Tintagel is the day’s historical centerpiece. The ruins sit on a headland linked with the King Arthur story, and the cliff-top setting is the real star. Admission is included, which is useful because Tintagel is one of the tour’s main headline attractions.

Be prepared for uneven ground and exposed walking. Suitable footwear is recommended throughout the trip, and Tintagel is not a place for flimsy shoes. The visit also involves a climb toward the headland, so you should be comfortable with moderate walking and stairs.

After lunch, you visit Port Isaac, a picturesque fishing village familiar from the television series Doc Martin. The village is compact and photogenic, with narrow streets and a harbor setting. It is also one of the places where the minicoach format pays off, since large vehicles are less suited to small Cornish villages.

You then continue to Falmouth, where you spend two nights. Falmouth is a larger port town than the villages visited earlier, giving you more choice for an evening meal. Dinner is not included, so use your guide’s recommendations or ask about the easiest options from your accommodation.

Day four: St Michael’s Mount, Porthcurno, and Land’s End

The western Cornwall day is the tour’s visual high point. St Michael’s Mount is the first major stop, with its island setting and historic buildings. Access conditions can vary, so you should follow the guide’s instructions and allow for the fact that coastal visits are affected by tides and weather.

Next comes Porthcurno, a beautiful National Trust beach. The beach is framed by high cliffs and open Atlantic views, making it one of the best places to appreciate Cornwall’s coastline without a dense schedule of buildings and museums.

Above the coast is the Minack Theatre, an extraordinary open-air theater built into the cliffs. It is not simply another historic building. The design uses the natural slope above the sea, and the setting makes this one of the most memorable stops of the trip.

Land’s End follows. It is England’s most westerly point and an obvious place for a symbolic photograph. The surrounding coast matters more than the sign itself, so take time to look beyond the famous marker.

The route then passes through former tin-mining country. Engine houses and other industrial remains mark Cornwall’s old mining economy, while the area has also served as a filming location for Poldark. This is a good reminder that Cornwall is not only about beaches and legends. Its identity was shaped by hard industrial work, too.

St Ives closes the day. The town is known for its artists’ galleries, harbor-side streets, and maze-like lanes. You can browse art, walk near the water, or simply enjoy the town’s atmosphere before returning to Falmouth.

This is a full day, and it can feel intense. Still, the sequence is well chosen: island, beach, cliff theater, western tip, mining country, and art town. Several passengers have singled out the Minack Theatre as a favorite, and I can understand why.

Day five: Bodmin Moor, Glastonbury, and London

You leave Cornwall by crossing Bodmin Moor, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The moor provides a final stretch of open country before the journey turns east.

The last major stop is Glastonbury. You can visit the ruins of the 7th-century abbey, have lunch, or climb Glastonbury Tor for views across five counties. These are three different ways to use the stop, so decide in advance what matters most to you.

Glastonbury is also where the trip’s pace becomes most obvious. After four active days, you may prefer a relaxed meal instead of another climb. The return to London is long, and one passenger felt that reducing the time in Glastonbury might have made the final day easier.

You arrive back at the Greenline Coach Terminal behind Victoria Station. The city feels very far removed from the moors and cliffs, which is exactly the point of this route. In five days, you have moved through several distinct parts of southern England without changing trains or hiring a car.

Accommodation: the part to consider carefully

Four nights of accommodation and breakfast are included. The properties are small, locally owned guesthouses and B&Bs, and all rooms are en suite.

The quality is not uniform. Some people have had excellent stays, including warm rooms, strong breakfasts, and welcoming owners. The Townhouse in Exeter received particular praise for its breakfast, room, and hospitality, while the Westcott Guest House in Falmouth was also described positively.

Other stays have been less satisfying. A property called the Poltar B&B was described as tired, and some people felt that certain Exeter and Falmouth accommodation was below the standard of other nights. You may also be placed in different properties from the rest of the group, which can make evening socializing difficult.

B&Bs are often on the outskirts of town. Expect a 20 to 30 minute walk to pubs and restaurants, and do not assume that everyone in your group will sleep under the same roof. If stairs are difficult for you, mention this before booking, since lifts are not available in these types of properties.

Breakfast is included, but lunches, dinners, drinks, and most optional admissions are not. Budget extra for meals and entry fees at places such as museums or additional attractions.

Who gets the best value from $1,180?

At $1,180 per person, the tour costs more than arranging a self-drive trip with budget accommodation. But that comparison is not quite fair. The price also buys a dedicated driver, route planning, fuel, four nights of lodging, breakfasts, a small group, and admission to Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle.

I see the strongest value for solo visitors and anyone who does not want to drive Cornwall’s narrow roads. One solo passenger particularly appreciated meeting people from several countries and having company without joining a huge bus group.

The tour also suits you if you want a broad first look at Devon and Cornwall. You will not see every cove or museum, but you will cover the region’s major names and several lesser stops in five days.

It is less suitable if you want long, unhurried visits. You will spend significant time in the minicoach, and the schedule leaves limited room to linger. It also may not suit families with very young children, since children under five are not accepted and anyone under 18 must travel with an adult.

Practical advice for a smoother five days

Bring layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy walking shoes. Coastal weather can shift quickly, and several stops involve exposed paths, uneven surfaces, or moorland walking.

Keep your daypack light. You will move between the minicoach, villages, coastal paths, and B&Bs, often on a fixed meeting schedule.

Listen carefully to meeting points and times. The guide usually gives you freedom at each stop, but the minicoach cannot wait indefinitely. A recent passenger became separated from the group after misunderstanding where to meet for dinner, so repeat the details if anything is unclear.

If you care about evening social time, ask where the accommodation is located and whether the group will be split among several properties. This is a practical concern, especially for solo visitors.

You should also accept that weather may change the order of stops. That is a benefit, not a flaw, when handled well. One guide adjusted plans around poor weather, keeping the group safe while still preserving the main sights.

Should you book this Devon and Cornwall tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized first visit to southwestern England, especially if you are traveling alone, dislike driving, or want a small group rather than a large coach. The guide quality, minicoach, range of stops, and included Stonehenge and Tintagel admissions make the package worthwhile for many visitors.

Think twice if your priority is luxury accommodation, long stays in each town, or relaxed evenings with the entire group. The route is demanding, B&B standards vary, and the final ride to London is long.

For most people, the best reason to choose this trip is not one single castle or beach. It is the combination of Dartmoor, Cornish fishing villages, cliff scenery, mining country, Roman Exeter, and the freedom to explore without managing the roads yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Stance 3 at the Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH. This is directly behind Victoria Train Station and diagonally across from Victoria Coach Station.

Does the tour depart from Victoria Coach Station?

No. The meeting point is the Greenline Coach Terminal behind Victoria Train Station, not Victoria Coach Station.

How long is the Devon and Cornwall tour?

The tour lasts five days and includes four nights of accommodation.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 16 participants and travels in a 16-seat Mercedes minicoach. Some departures have operated with fewer than 16 people.

What transport is used?

Transportation is provided in a top-of-the-range Mercedes minicoach designed for a more personal small-group experience.

What accommodation is included?

You stay in small, locally owned guesthouses and B&Bs. All rooms are en suite, but properties may be located on the outskirts of towns.

Are meals included?

Breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners, refreshments, and most other food expenses are not included.

Which admissions are included?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking driver-guide.