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15th - 22nd september 2023

The Wessex Grand Tour

Uffington White Horse, Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Blandford Brewery, Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis, Powderham Castle, Brixham Harbour, Dartmouth, Start Bay, Torpoint Ferry, Bodmin Moor, Tintagel, Porlock Hill, Dunster Castle, Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral, Bath, Avebury, Marlborough

Overview

Packages available from £2,450 per person
Distance: 516 Miles
Duration: 7 days, 6 Nights

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Day 1. Wallingford to Salisbury: 80 miles, approx. 4 hours driving.

We assemble at the George Hotel in Wallingford for Breakfast, our first drive is from Wallingford via the roman road from Streatley to Wantage and the White Horse at Uffington. Stopping to view the White Horse and Uffington Castle. From Uffington we proceed towards Newbury and Kintbury via the Lambourne Valley to our Lunch Stop at the Dundas Arms at Kintbury. From Kintbury we follow the lanes towards Hurstbourne Tarrant we then turn west towards Upavon and Devizes through the Lavingtons to Stonehenge. After taking the tour of the stones we then head into Salisbury to find our overnight accommodation at the Old Mill Hotel, with views of the cathedral, and easy access to the City and its sights.

Day 2. Salisbury to Exeter: 100 miles, approx 3.5 hours driving.

From our overnight stop we unapologetically take the A354, with its stunning views and fast straights, directly to Blandford, where a short tour of the brewery is very informative. From Blandford we continue west on the A354 taking a cross country route from Dorchester to see the Thomas Hardy Memorial to the Jurrasic Coast Road for a late lunch at the Hive Beach Café at Burton Bradstock. After lunch we make a quick stop at Lyme Regis for a walk around the Cobb and Harbour area or down the High Street to browse in the eccentric array of shops and take in the fantastic views of the Jurassic coast. From Lyme we proceed westwards on the Sidmouth Road towards our overnight accommodation at the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter.

Day 3. Exeter to Burgh Island: 70 miles, approx 3 hours driving.

Departing Exeter towards Dartmoor we take the road towards Moretenhampstead and Two Bridges, from Two Bridges we follow the road off the moor towards Ashburton for our break stop at Buckfast Abbey before heading off towards Totnes and Brixham for lunch at the Montpelier. After a quick tour of the fishing harbour and market we head to Dartmouth. Crossing the Dart on the Ferry we arrive in Dartmouth and then take the coast road along Start Bay and make our way through Kingsbridge towards a ride across the causeway to Burgh Island to have some afternoon tea, dinner and overnight stay at the Burgh Island Hotel to take in the art-deco splendour (famous from many TV adaptations of Agatha Christie Novels).

Day 4. Burgh Island to Croyde: 100 miles, approx 4 hours driving.

Leaving Burgh Island we find our way out of the South Hams towards Plymouth Hoe to stop and look out over Plymouth Sound. Leaving Plymouth on the Torpoint ferry we take the coastal route to Looe, and then across country to Bodmin, where we get the first chance to sample an authentic Cornish Pasty. Once we have gorged on pasties we leave Bodmin and head to the North Coast via Camelford to look at the castle at Tintagel, seat of King Arthur and his Knights. Heading out of Tintagel we get on the A39 north towards Bideford and Barnstaple and round to Croyde to find our overnight hotel at the Imposing Saunton Sands Hotel.

Day 5: Rest Day..

The day is yours, take up some of the spa facilities at the hotel (cost not included), walk across the sands or have an excursion into Barnstaple or Ilfracombe.

Day 6. Croyde to Bath: 110 miles, approx. 4.5 hours driving

On this, the last official day of the tour we depart the hotel and we make our way towards Exmoor and take in Lynmouth, Porlock Hill, Dunster Castle as we head towards Bridgewater, Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral and the Georgian Splendour of Bath. Once in Bath, our hotel, The Francis is situated in the middle of the city, which gives an excellent opportunity to walk the streets at a time when they are quiet so you can take in the beauty of the architecture without the bustle.

Day 7 Bath to Wallingford

Travelling along the A4 towards the stone circle at Avebury and lunch in one of the fine coaching inns in Marlborough. In the afternoon returning to Wallingford via the Hungerford to Wantage road savouring the spectacular views of the Vale of Oxford.

What's Included

Hotels on the route
Channel Crossings
entry Into attractions mentioned
males When mentioned
detailed guidebook
Rally plates

Cancellation Policy

You or any member of your party may cancel your trip at any time providing that the cancellation is made by the person who signed the booking form and is communicated in writing. As this incurs administration costs we will retain the deposit and in addition will apply cancellation charges as shown below:

The periods before departure within which written cancellation is received and the cancellation charges, shown as a percentage of the total holiday price, which will be applied are:

More than 70 days full deposit retained

More than 42 days 50% of booking total charged

More than 21 days 75% of booking total charged 20 days or less 100% of booking total charged

If you are obliged to cancel, you may, with reasonable notice, transfer your booking to a third party who satisfies the conditions required to take the tour. However, we will retain your deposit to cover the administration costs and pass on any additional fees levied as a result of the transfer. Certain tours may attract different cancellation fees. You will be advised accordingly during the booking process.