Looking for rugged cliffscapes, long sandy beaches, and amazing food throughout the year? It’s difficult to beat the Southwest of England. Collectively nicknamed the English Riviera, Devon and Cornwall offer all of these fantastic features, and a few more besides.
If you’re planning a road trip to this part of the country, it’s worth having an idea of which attractions are worth the effort.
Exmoor National Park
This stunning stretch of moorland earned its national park designation in the 50s. It’s been a haven for walkers since long before then, with an abundance of rare wildlife and other natural treasures. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to leave no trace, and to park responsibly. Make sure that your car is up to the challenges of the rugged terrain by shopping for replacement tyres before you head out.
Atlantic Highway
This famous road route will take you through some of the most spectacular stretches of countryside in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, including the westernmost point of the UK mainland: Land’s End. It’ll take you eight hours to cover the entire route, which stretches almost 400km along the west coast of Cornwall. Plan a few choice stops along the way, and you’ll have a recipe for the road trip of a lifetime!
Bodmin Moor
If you’re travelling the A30, then there’s a reasonable chance that you’ll have the opportunity to stop off and take a look around Bodmin Moor. This is an opportunity you should grab with both hands. This part of the country, famous for rolling hills and rocky outcroppings, is a paradise for hikers in search of inspiration. Perhaps you’ll even spot the famous Beast of Bodmin Moor (though such a sighting isn’t an everyday occurrence).
Sennen Cove and Land’s End
Sennen Cove is a nicely secluded beach, being the most westerly beach in Cornwall, just a stone’s throw from Land’s End itself. It boasts a promontory, called the Pedn-men-du, which protects the beach from the worst of the wind blowing in from the Atlantic. Consequently, you’ll benefit from spectacular surf without being blown off your feet. As such, this area is a haven for rock climbers and surfers alike.
Bear in mind before you make the trip, however, that dogs are banned from the beach during summer daytime – so, if you’re thinking of walking the dog, you’ll need to do it in the morning. Or, you can take the dog to the nearby Gwynver Beach!
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