Visiting Cornwall from Southampton

[ilovhywd]

We are planning a May trans-Atlantic cruise that ends in Southampton, and we would like to spend a few days in the West Country post-cruise. This area looks very picturesque and interesting.

 

We thought we would take a bus or train to the area and then rent a car for sightseeing.

 

We are looking for CC recommendations of specific towns (or hotels) that could serve as a central base for exploring the area. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[Ray66]

The first bit of this thread might help you

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1245344

[MAXII]

We are planning a May trans-Atlantic cruise that ends in Southampton, and we would like to spend a few days in the West Country post-cruise. This area looks very picturesque and interesting.

 

We thought we would take a bus or train to the area and then rent a car for sightseeing.

 

We are looking for CC recommendations of specific towns (or hotels) that could serve as a central base for exploring the area. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

Hi - hubby and I are sailing Miami into Southampton end of April and have similar plans to you. We have chosen to stay in Plymouth which is South Cornwall as it is a pretty good base to get around from to various places in both Cornwall and Devon. We have chosen the Copthorne hotel which is right by the train station in downtown Plymouth itself. (Copthorne Hotel Plymouth, Armada Way, Plymouth, Devon PL1 1AR).

 

You may like to check out this book: Eyewitness Travel, Top 10 Devon & Cornwall, by Robert Andrews, ISBN 978-0-7566-3955-6. It is a super guide with pullout maps and excellent sight seeing tips.

 

In terms of getting around, unless you are hiring a car, a train from Southampton Central is your best bet as the coach (National Express) will take you around 5/6 hours. Trains and bus service in the UK is very good and here is a link that you may want to use to plan all your journeys while you are in the UK: http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/Home.aspx Trains run quite frequently from Southampton Central to Plymouth though advanced fares are not available until 12 weeks in advance when you can sometimes grab a good deal.

 

I grew up in the UK and I would certainly recommend a visit to St. Ives and Penzance in Cornwall itself, Isle of Wight (though you get the ferry from Southampton to there) and over in South Devon, you may wish to check out Dartmoor, Torquay and Dawlish. All are scenic and for a good dose of history, enjoy Exeter (south Devon too) and Plymouth itself. The mansion Lanhydrock I'm told is a must see for history boffins like me so you may want to visit there too http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk/heritage-trail/heritage-national-trust/lanhydrock/Welcome.asp

 

Enjoy!

[Sauer-kraut]

In Dorset, Lyme Regis or Bridport (for the Jurassic Coast). Lots of National Trust things in this area as well as a lovely Nat. Trust beach, Thomas Hardy house, Cerne Abbas chalk man, etc. The Abbotsbury Swannery is nice if there are hatchlings (we were there in May).

 

Love the Dorset area, but you will need a car to get around especially if going to Cornwall. (A very rainy spot). Some Nat. Trust things there as well, and of course a drive through the moors..... :D

[ilovhywd]

It certainly looks like one could use more than a week in this area. There is so much to see and do!

[John Bull]

We are planning a May trans-Atlantic cruise that ends in Southampton, and we would like to spend a few days in the West Country post-cruise. This area looks very picturesque and interesting.

 

We thought we would take a bus or train to the area and then rent a car for sightseeing.

 

We are looking for CC recommendations of specific towns (or hotels) that could serve as a central base for exploring the area. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

Being pedantic, Plymouth is on the Devonshire bank of the River Tamar, Cornwall is the other side of the river. But Max's suggestion is excellent as a base for exploring both

Devon:

Brixham/Cockington/Torquay/Teignmouth/Dawlish

or Dartmouth by boat from Totnes or steam train from Paignton

or Dartmoor - Princetown/Dartmeet/Widecombe-in-the-Moor/ Buckfast Abbey

Cornwall:

Eden Project or Lost Gardens of Heligan plus Charlestown or Mevagissey.

or Looe/Polperro.

or Bodmin/Tintagel/Clovelley/Crackington.

But also give yourself half a day for Plymouth's own Barbican and Hoe.

 

Bus to Plymouth would be tiresome, train involves at least one change.

Consider renting a car in Southampton. The drive to Plymouth is about 3 1/2 hours direct (I do it frequently), but they would be only small variations to your route there or back to include places such as the New Forest, Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Weymouth/Portland/Abbotsbury/West Bay, Lyme Regis/Seaton, and make one or both ways into much longer but much more scenic days.

 

Google these places, see what you think.

 

Bear in mind with car hire that you need to specify "automatic" if you don't want a gearstick.

 

John Bull