A Land of Myth and Magic
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Exeter west front, England UK
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Close-up of Tintagel Castle ©Courtesy of VisitCornwall
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Dartmoor, Devon, South West - Cottage © Unique Devon Tours
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Antony & Cleopatra by Shakespeare at Minack Theatre ©Visit Cornwall, The Minack Theatre
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Stonehenge ©English Heritage
Explore a land of Myth, Magic and Legend on this spectacular tour around Britain. Discover the legend of Arthur – King of the Britons and his Queen Guinevere. Delve into local legends and ghostly tales of the mystical Dartmoor and explore the land Joseph of Arimathea settled on with the Holy Grail – a great adventure is waiting for you.
At the western extremity of England, the counties of Devon and Cornwall encompass everything from genteel, cosy villages to vast Atlantic-facing strands of golden sand and wild expanses of granite moorland. Explore the south west of England with us and learn about Arthurian legends, Celtic kingdoms, Roman towns and wild moorlands with legendary beasts.
Tour Highlights Include:
Durdle Door: Probably the most famous stone arch anywhere the world. This spectacular natural doorway was formed over 10,000 years ago on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset from merged bays. Looking out towards the sea you will be able to take in the magical view. Isolated stacks out at sea show where an older coastline once lay.
Exeter: Originally founded more than 2000 years ago. Exeter has been the base for Roman Legions and a religious centre during the Middle Ages and Tudor Britain. Explore the myths and legends of this exciting city while exploring the miles of 14th century hidden passageways and tunnels beneath the city while looking out for some of the cities famous ghostly inhabitants.
Dartmoor: A magical, ancient landscape of stunning views, awe inspiring granite tors, deep wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers and rugged, wide open spaces. Steeped in myths, folk lores and local legends from ghostly Roman legionnaires and headless horsemen to ghoulish hounds and bottomless pools.
Tintagel Castle: Located half on the mainland and half on a jagged headland that projects into the Cornish Sea. Tintagel Caslte is a mystifying site steeped in ancient history and legend. It is widely regarded as the birthplace of the King of Britons – Arthur Pendragon. The cave below the cliffs is rumoured to have once been inhabited by his magician Merlin.
Glastonbury: Steeped in more than two thousand years of myth and legend. Glastonbury is said to be the resting place of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere, the location of his court Camelot and the mystical world of Avalon. A young Jesus Christ is said to have visited as a child and Joseph of Arimathea set up a Church here after the crucifixion having landed here with the Holy Grail.
Stonehenge: This wonder of the ancient world is still a mystery. Questions such as why it was built and how it was constructed still remain unanswered. Wander in the footsteps of our neolithic ancestors as you explore this 5000 year old monument.
Explore more of the mystical landscapes of the British Isles in some of our other tours.
Dates
2023 dates available on request
Itinerary Summary
Day 1
Winchester and Durdle Door
Arrive at Heathrow Airport where your private transfer will collect you.
Leave the bustle of London behind and travel through the old kingdom of Wessex to its ancient capital – the historic city of Winchester. Once ruled by King Alfred and inhabited since prehistoric time, Winchester was a major site in Roman, Medieval and Modern Day Britain. It’s 13th century Great Hall houses an “iconic Round Table of Arthurian Legend.”
After some time exploring this fascinating old town, you will continue to the dramatic south Devon Coast; enjoying panoramic views over white sandy beaches and the natural rock arch of Durdle Door (one of Dorset’s most iconic and photographed sites and a World Heritage Site.)
Spend some free time exploring the magnificent coast before heading arriving in the historic city of Exeter; settled over two thousand years ago this will be your base for 2 nights.
Day 2
Dartmoor, Tavistock and Exeter
After breakfast you will spend the morning exploring the magnificent wilderness of Dartmoor (be on your guard for mystical hounds, ghostly Roman legionaries and the ghost of Francis Drake in a carriage pulled by headless horses.) the ancient ‘Clapper Bridge’ at Postbridge (watch out for the legend of the Hairy Hands – phantom hands said to take control of the cars and bikes of unsuspecting travellers) and the historic market town of Tavistock; home to Sir Francis Drake – world famous explorer and heroic commander during the Spanish Armada.
Return to Exeter in the early afternoon to explore this Roman town; wind through secret underground passages, roam across ancient walls and visit the Royal Albert Memorial museum with its famous 12th century Norman Cathedral.
Day 3
Boscastle, Tintagel Castle and Falmouth
After breakfast you will embark upon a quest into the origins of the legendary King Arthur. Travel into the heart of Arthurian legend country – the Celtic Kingdom of Cornwall.
The day’s highlights include the ancient capital of Cornwall, Launceston, with its 12th century Norman keep perched overlooking Bodmin Moor, medieval fishing village of Boscastle with its distinctive harbour and the romantic cliff top ruins of Tintagel Castle, birthplace of King Arthur nestling above Merlin’s Cave.
In the evening, you will travel south to the seaside, University town of Falmouth where you will spend the next 2 nights. Be sure to keep an eye open for Morgawr -the legendary sea monster of Falmouth Bay.
Overnight in Falmouth.
Day 4
Land’s End, Minack Theatre and St Ives
After a hearty English Breakfast you will explore the most westerly tip of England taking in the stunning cliff top village of Mousehole, the incredible Minack Theatre built into the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the beautiful National Trust beach at Porthcurno.
You will see England’s most westerly point, Land’s End, before following the dramatic coast, with windswept moors and old stone Celtic communities up to the artistic haven of St. Ives.
Overnight in Falmouth.
Day 5
Glastonbury and Stonehenge
After a hearty English breakfast say farewell to the magic or Cornwall. Travel back through the Devon countryside with stops for photos and refreshments before arriving in the famous town of Glastonbury for lunch. Glastonbury is full of myth and magic; Jesus Christ is said to have visited as a child, Joseph of Arimathea set up a church here after the crucifixion of Christ and King Arthur was said be have been buried here with his Queen Guinevere.
Next you will travel back eastwards to follow in the footsteps of our Neolithic Ancestors at Stonehenge. The first monument was built over 5000 years ago and it is unlikely anyone will ever know it’s true purpose (an astronomical observatory, religious site, place of healing or a domain of the dead?) or even HOW the huge, ancient stone structures we constructed using only primitive tools.
You will have free time to explore the monument and museum before before returning to London to spend the final evening at your leisure.
Day 6
Home Time
After breakfast your private transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you to Heathrow Airport for you to commence your journey home.
All accommodation includes a Full English Breakfast each morning
Hotels mentioned are suggestions, but we can tailor the tour to suit your own requirements using a pool of different hotels – just let us know your preferences.
Guideline Price:
All prices shown are per person, and based on a group of 15 people sharing twin or double rooms.
Rooms for single occupancy are available and a supplement will apply – please contact us for details.
Rates are Nett and non commissionable and are available to Travel Trade only – Public rates are available on request