Last reviewed: · Prices in British Pounds Sterling (£ GBP) and US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Discover England's dramatic Atlantic peninsula and West Country: Georgian Bath, Dorset's Jurassic Coast, Dartmoor and Exeter in Devon, St Ives and St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, and Padstow seafood.
Estimated Trip Budget: £1,220–£2,100 per person · Primary Transport: GWR Cornish Main Line (London Paddington → Bath → Exeter → St Ives) + South West Car
Day-by-day plan
Arrival in Bath: Roman Baths, Abbey & Royal Crescent (London → Bath)
Direct train from London Paddington to Bath Spa. Tour the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and the Georgian Circus.
Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury & Lyme Regis Fossil Coast (Bath → Wells & Jurassic Coast → Exeter)
Stop at medieval Wells Cathedral (with its moated Bishop's Palace), drive down to Lyme Regis on the UNESCO Jurassic Coast, and overnight in Exeter.
Dartmoor Granite Tors, Devon Cream Tea & South Cornwall (Exeter → Dartmoor → Plymouth / Looe)
Cross Dartmoor National Park for wild ponies and a Devon cream tea (clotted cream first!), continuing along the Tamar into Cornwall.
Lost Gardens of Heligan, Charlestown & Fowey Estuary (Cornwall (Fowey & Mevagissey))
Explore the subtropical Lost Gardens of Heligan, historic tall-ship harbour of Charlestown, and scenic Fowey.
St Michael's Mount Causeway, Minack Theatre & St Ives (St Ives & Penzance)
Walk the tidal granite causeway to St Michael's Mount in Marazion, visit the cliff-carved Minack Theatre at Porthcurno, and check into St Ives.
Tate St Ives, Barbara Hepworth Garden & Porthminster Beach (St Ives)
Enjoy St Ives's turquoise bays, Tate St Ives overlooking Porthmeor surfer beach, and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden.
North Cornwall Coast: Bedruthan Steps, Padstow Seafood & Tintagel (St Ives → Padstow & Port Isaac)
Follow the Atlantic coast to Padstow for fresh crab and Rick Stein's fish & chips, then visit fishing village Port Isaac and clifftop Tintagel Castle.
GWR Riviera Line along Dawlish Sea Wall Back to London Paddington (Cornwall → Cotswolds / London)
Return east via the famous Dawlish sea-wall railway line through Devon and Somerset straight into London Paddington.
Transport & National Rail notes
GWR Cornish Main Line (London Paddington → Bath → Exeter → St Ives) + South West Car. Book National Rail Advance tickets 8–12 weeks ahead on LNER, GWR, Avanti West Coast, or ScotRail, or use a £35 Two Together / 16–30 Railcard (33.4% off Off-Peak fares) or BritRail Pass.
What to book ahead
- UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation, £16) via the official UK ETA app at least 72 hours before departure.
- Timed morning tickets for the Tower of London (£34.80), Edinburgh Castle (£19.50), Roman Baths (£25+), and Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour.
- National Rail Advance tickets or Caledonian Sleeper / Jacobite Steam Train seats 8–12 weeks in advance.
Ways to adapt this route
- Add 2 days in the Cotswolds (Bourton-on-the-Water & Bibury) or a day-trip to Windsor Castle (35 min from London).
- Combine Edinburgh with a 2-day ScotRail loop to St Andrews or Inverness & Loch Ness.