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EAST CORNWALL & WEST DEVON ~ 08May 21st & September 22nd ~ 7 nights
We are delighted to return for a fifth year to this lovely part of the country to stay at our two wonderful houses of Hurdon and Withnoe that have proved so understandably popular over previous seasons. Our location at Launceston, just over the border from Devon into Cornwall, is centrally positioned for our touring plans in both counties including fascinating visits to both the north and south coasts and for the splendid varied countryside in between. This season we again combine elements of the two holidays we offered in previous years to form one glorious week of interest and surprise and to take in a lovely mix of private gardens, historic houses and exciting coastline with some delightful pastoral and moorland scenery added to provide the finishing touches! So, our itinerary for 2008 hopes to visit the following 'small' gardens - The 30 splendid acres of Pine Lodge (September tour) featuring over 6,000 plants, the extraordinary Docton Mill situated in a stunning valley near the Devon coast, 'Headland' (May tour) set in one of the most idyllic situations in Britain with spectacular views over open sea to Gribbin Head, Dodman Point and on a clear day the Lizard peninsular, 'Ken-Caro', one of Cornwall's hidden gems with outstanding views into the Lynher Valley, and The 'Garden House' of which the Sunday Express asked "Is this the best garden in Britain?" and Alan Titchmarsh declared "You'd be mad to miss it !" (but you can if you wish as you will have the choice to visit Buckland Abbey instead!) Tucked away above the River Tavy and once a Cistercian Monastery, the house incorporating the abbey church has rich associations with Sir Francis Drake and seafaring rival Sir Richard Grenville. Other grand properties on our itinerary will be - the granite fortress of Castle Drogo, commanding panoramic views over Dartmoor, built by Lutyens in the early 1900's for self-made millionaire Julius Drewe and combining the grandeur of a medieval castle with the comfort of the 20th century, Cothele House built between 1485 and 1627 and remarkably unchanged is, as a great medieval building, a strong contender for the title of 'Cornwall's most beautiful stately home' with lush gardens descending the valley in terraces to the Quay on the River Tamar, and Mount Edgcumbe House with the 18th century Earl's Garden and Country Park enjoying a magnificent setting overlooking Plymouth Sound and also offering extensive coastal access. The house was built from in the 16th century by Sir Richard Edgcumbe of Cothele as his new home. Miraculously the walls survived a direct 1941 bomb hit, and it was restored between 1958 and 1964; We will visit the dramatic coastline and spectacular cliffs at Hartland Quay in North West Devon with its contorted rock layers; the South Cornwall coast through Portwrinkle to Seaton, and the wild and beautiful North Cornish coast from Port Isaac through Boscastle and Crackington Haven to Widemouth Bay; Other 'natural' delights will include the wildlife haven of Lower Tamar Lake, Siblyback (September) & Fernworthy Reservoirs, Fingle Bridge, Kit Hill and lots of meandering in delightful and remote Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor scenery and through the rural roads and 'Byways' of East Cornwall and West Devon! We will also take in St. Nons Church at Altarnun known as the 'Cathedral of The Moors' and pay a visit to the pretty village of Chagford. On the September tour we will visit the world famous Eden Project, with its famous domes (or for those preferring it, a visit to the pretty little fishing village of Mevagissey). On the May tour we will also visit The quite fascinating restored 'Lost Gardens of Heligan'. Based at Launceston on the borders of Cornwall & Devon. Guest House : Hurdon Farm & Withnoe. The group will take evening meals together each night at one of the two houses (3 nights at one, 4 at the other). Train meeting from Exeter St. Davids. All prices are in GB pounds (GBP), per person, per holiday,
and are pretty much all-inclusive - see holiday
information page for full details.
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