SW660 Road Trip: North Cornwall, North Devon & Exmoor

Day 1: Padstow

Your journey begins in Padstow, a charming fishing town with glorious sandy beaches. Take the first day of your UK south coast road trip at your own pace, explore the stunning beaches and treat yourself to the area’s culinary delights.

Surf’s up

Cornwall is the place to be for a deep dive into surf culture, so why not get involved and try a surf lesson on Fistral Beach, one of the UK’s best beginner surf spots. Preferring to stay dry you could visit Rick Stein’s cookery school for a seafood cooking workshop. 

Victorian style at the water’s edge

Your home from home for the night is a Victorian hotel with beautiful views over the Camel Estuary. Named one of the best hotels in the UK by the times, you can be sure you’ll be well looked after.

Day 2: Padstow to Instow (SW660 Section 10)

Start as you mean to go on

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel it’s time to hit the road for another wonderful day on your UK south coast road trip. Today your journey takes you out of Cornwall and along the North Devon Coast. Enjoy travelling at your own pace, take in stunning surroundings, and choose things to see, eat and do from our expert recommendations. 

Castles and Kings

Your first stop today could be Tintagel Castle. Inextricably linked to King Arthur, this dramatic castle has been the inspiration for artists and writers for a long time and it’s not hard to see why. Set in a breathtaking position on Tintagel island, there are a number of viewpoints to take in the castle’s magic.

Best of Bude

Crackington Haven is a lovely shingle beach near Bude, with fascinating geological formations to explore. When you’re ready for a bite to eat, why not experience lunch on the Bude canal.  

A place of literary inspiration

Explore the rugged cliffs of Bideford Bay. With multiple walking routes available you could head up to Kipling Tors, a lookout point over Westward Ho named after the famous author Rudyard Kipling. Kipling spent his school years in the South West of England and Bideford Bay is thought to have inspired one of his most successful novels, Stalky & Co. 

Arrive in Instow and settle into your hotel on the edge of the estuary, where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet. Your hotel is the perfect blend of modern meets traditional comfort, with carefully styled rooms and spacious bathrooms.  

Day 3: Instow to Bossington ( SW660 Sections 11 & 12)

After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to continue with your UK south coast road trip. Today’s journey takes you on a glorious drive along the Atlantic Highway as you pass between Kentisbury in North Devon and Bossington in Exmoor. The road climbs and drops into steep valleys, crosses wild open moorland, and passes through spectacular National Trust estates with wonderful views.

The rolling waves of North Devon’s surf beaches at Woolacombe and Croyde have made them world famous – but if surfing’s not your thing there’s still plenty to keep you occupied along this 50-mile stretch of coastline.

Feel the air in your lungs

Choose to tackle the walk up the Great Hangman, beginning in Combe Martin. Those who reach the top will be rewarded with far-reaching views across the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding hills. In the Spring walkers can enjoy the blooming primrose and violets. Listen out for warblers, as well as nesting seabirds on the cliffs and ravens can be spotted on the hillside.

Ride the world’s highest and steepest water-powered railway

The multi-award-winning and famous Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and holds a Green Tourism ‘Gold’ award for sustainable tourism. Choose to hop aboard this historic railway as it takes you to the cliff-top. Why not pop into the grade II listed clifftop cafe for one of the most scenic cream teas in the west of England!

After crossing the North Devon border your base for the night is a luxury B&B in Bossington, Exmoor.

Day 4 Bossington to Watchet (SW660 Section 12)

For your final day on the road, enjoy another fantastic stretch of the South West 660 as you head eastward toward Watchet. 

Pretty Porlock

Choose to visit the traditional village of Porlock, well-loved by visitors; it offers a great insight into English village life. Pop into a cafe for an English Cream Tea and settle the jam before cream debate, once and for all! Or maybe you get drawn in by one of the village pubs, for a homely lunch. 

English history

Along the way are a number of worthy stops. Pay a visit to Dunster Castle, with 1,000 years of history the castle and watermill have plenty of great stories to tell.

What’s happening in Watchet

On arrival in Watchet, you could head to the East Quay gallery & studios. Experience the different artist studios and explore walkways with incredible views of the Somerset coast. 

Home time

From Watchet you are a short drive from the M5, where you can easily continue with your journey home. If you would like to explore more of this beautiful area of the UK, why not enquire about completing another leg of this fantastic UK south coast road trip route.