SW660 Road Trip: Devon, Dartmouth & Cornwall

Day 1: Exeter

Your South West 660 journey begins in Exeter, an ancient city situated on the River Exe and the perfect place to begin your time on one of the best road trips in the UK. The beauty of a self-drive trip is that you control the pace, simply take our insightful local recommendations and make this a trip you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Natural World Heritage Site

A few miles south of Exeter you will find pristine beaches and dramatic redstone cliffs. Why not head to this section of the coast to experience the sheer beauty of the Jurassic Coast, the UK’s only Natural World Heritage site. Take a stroll along the beach stopping for a highly recommended bacon and scallop roll.

Go back in time

You could pay a visit to Otterton Mill, a working mill in an idyllic setting. Experience the ancient traditions of flour milling, bread baking and enjoy lunch in the visitor centre cafe. 

Stop for a tipple

Before heading to Exeter to spend the night, choose to experience a tour & tasting at an award-winning vineyard. A visit to this small family-run vineyard, producing world-class wine, is the perfect introduction to the finest of south England offerings. 

Savour your experience

Set beside the Blackaller Weir in Exeter your home for your first night is a characterful property. With lovingly restored historic rooms, you’ll have no problem unwinding with unmatched views across the River Exe.

Day 2: Exeter to Plymouth (SW660 Sections 4&5)

The open road awaits

The first leg of today’s journey takes you along the coast from Exeter to Dartmouth. Sheltered by the heights of Dartmoor, this east-facing coast between the Rivers Exe and Dart creates a special microclimate. The scenery and warmth led to the creation of a series of elegant resorts known as the English Riviera.

Taste of Teignmouth

If you would like an early stop today the coastal town of Teignmouth has a worthy offering. On the surface, Teignmouth has a classic seaside feel with a promenade, sandy beach and pier, but by exploring a narrow maze of old streets the more intrepid traveller can find themselves in one of Devon’s most bohemian spots. At Back Beach fishing boats are drawn up on sheltered sands and nautical pubs face the busy estuary. It’s an area full of artists’ studios, quirky shops and cafes.

Clifftop roads

From Teignmouth your road trip route takes you on a scenic clifftop drive, with optional detours to the wooded sandy coves at Maidencombe, Watcombe and Babbacombe. Have your camera ready as you’ll want to capture these views! 

Culinary delights 

Choose to stop in Salcombe and experience a tour & tasting session at the award-winning Salcombe Gin Distillery. Gin not your thing? Why not try your hand at surfing or sea kayaking – Salcombe has both!

Rest up

After all the excitement of your day on the road, you can now rest easy. Your accommodation is a lovely boutique property set in Hope Cove, a picturesque seaside village with restaurants serving up local produce.

Day 3: Hope Cove to St Austell (SW660 Sections 5&6)

West is best

Leaving Hope Cove behind, follow the shore west towards Plymouth, you could stop to visit Burgh Island, a small tidal island with a pub and footpaths to take a walk with incredible sea views. Continuing on to arrive in Plymouth, you could enjoy some city culture and visit the Plymouth Gin Visitor Centre or explore the National Marine Aquarium or the new Cultural Museum, The Box. 

Torpoint ferry

Board the Torpoint ferry from Plymouth as it chugs you over to Rame Peninsula, from here it is a beautiful drive along the coastal road.

Need to stretch your legs?

Choose to hike the Rame Peninsula circular walk or dive into some water sports, before journeying on to Charlestown. Spend the night in Charlestown, tuck into a tasty dinner and put your feet up.

Day 4

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your Charlestown accommodation. Take time to explore this area, embracing the freedom to do as much or as little as you please.

Don’t mind if I do

From Charlestown you could visit the St Austell Brewery, which has been operating since 1893. Gain a fascinating insight into the production method behind the award-winning beer and take part in some taste testing. 

Visit Eden 

A stone’s throw away from Charlestown is The Eden Project. What was once a barren landscape has been transformed into a beautiful global garden. Explore the extensive gardens, contemporary artworks, performances and storytelling and pick up inspiring ideas to take home on how to care for the planet that cares for you.

Spend a second night at your boutique pub-style accommodation in Charlestown.

Day 5: St Austell to Penzance (SW660 Section 7)

Buckle up

Today’s beautiful drive sees you leave St Austell behind and head towards Penzance for more Cornish coastal delights. Almost all of South Cornwall’s coast from St Austell Bay to Mount’s Bay is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The less-trodden path

Following the smaller roads, the South West 660 route allows you to explore the coves of Portmellon and the unsung gem of Gorran Haven. One of the UK’s most popular horticultural attractions, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, is a short detour inland from here. As is one of Cornwall’s biggest secret beaches (we might let you in on its whereabouts closer to the time!).

Home from home

Arrive in Porthleven, where you will spend the night. Your home-from-home is a scenic pub with plenty of Cornish character. Renowned for its authentic charm, bustling harbour, and fine eateries. Enjoy a bite to eat or admire the scenery with a pint or two of the local ale.

Day 6: St Austell to St Ives (SW660 Sections 7, 8 & 9)

After a delicious breakfast set off to explore the most westerly English peninsula. 

St Michael’s Mount

St Michael’s Mount lies in the waters of Mount’s Bay, off the coast of Marazion. An ancient tidal island connected to the mainland by a cobbled causeway. Stop at Marazion to walk the tidal causeway or take a short boat trip to the island castle and gardens.

Cornish Coves

Why not stop for lunch in the small coastal village of Sennen Cove, choose an eatery with a sea view and if you’re lucky you could catch a view of surfers enjoying the waves. Mousehole and Lizard Point also make great stops. 

Arrive in St Ives, your home for the night is in this famous Cornish town. With a beautiful harbour, sheltered coves for swimming, golden sandy beaches, and great restaurants, you’re in for a real treat!

Day 7

Picking up from yesterday, take a deeper dive into what St Ives has to offer. You could take a wildlife boat trip to go dolphin watching or head out on a kayaking expedition. 

Kayaking in this area is an amazing way to explore the North coast of Cornwall. This coastline was the inspiration for the drama series Poldark. The incredible landscape is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, delight at the colourful cliffs and spacious caverns carved out during the Poldark mining era. Experience the area’s wildlife both on the land and in the sea from the bird colonies on the cliffs to the seals playing in the ocean. There are sometimes sightings of dolphins and basking sharks.

Spoilt for choice

Relax for a second evening at your Inn on the Cornish coast. Famed for its seafood, you’ll be spoilt for choice of where to enjoy your final evening meal.

Day 8: St Ives to Padstow (SW660 Section 9 & 10)

After a final breakfast it’s time to head home, with all your new memories from this section of the South West 660. If you would like to pick up where you left off, why not enquire about completing the next leg of one of the best road trips in the UK.