5-Day Devon and Cornwall Small-Group Tour from London

The great appeal here is simple: in five days, you see Stonehenge, Dartmoor, Tintagel, Land’s End, St Ives, and Glastonbury without driving Cornwall’s narrow lanes yourself. The tour packs in a lot, but it breaks the long runs with useful stops in Winchester, Exeter, Port Isaac, and other small towns.

I like the maximum 16-person group and the choice between a B&B and a 3-star hotel. Guides such as Carl, John, June, Kevin, and Dean have been especially strong at mixing local stories with practical help. The main drawback is pace: some stops last only 20 or 30 minutes, and the final drive back to London is long.

Key points to know before booking

• Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle are included, so two of the tour’s major paid sights do not require extra admission.
• Four nights are included, with two nights based in Exeter or Torquay and two nights in Falmouth.
• The 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach can reach narrow Cornish roads that are awkward in a rental car.
• Minack Theatre is subject to availability, and St. Michael’s Mount is a photo stop rather than a full visit.
• You need comfortable shoes and light luggage, since the coach has a 20-kilogram limit and some properties may involve stairs.
• The tour is best for active sightseers who want a broad introduction rather than long, unhurried stays in each town.

Why this five-day route works

This is a wide-ranging tour of southwest England, not a slow country retreat. You cover Hampshire, Devon, and Cornwall, with long drives between major sights, but the route is sensibly arranged.

The first day moves from London toward Exeter. Days two through four focus on Devon and Cornwall, where the scenery becomes more dramatic and the towns more compact. Day five turns back east through Bodmin Moor and Glastonbury.

I like the overnight pattern. Two nights in Exeter and two in Falmouth mean you unpack only twice. That matters after a full day on the road. You get a chance to settle into each base, find dinner, and explore without moving rooms every morning.

The price is about $1,347.48 per person. That is not cheap, but it covers four nights with breakfast, transport, a driver-guide, a small group, and entry to Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle. Compared with arranging hotels, a rental car, fuel, admissions, and navigation on narrow roads, the cost can make sense if you value convenience and a tightly planned route.

Day one: Winchester, Stonehenge, and Exeter

You leave from Green Line Coach Station at Victoria at 9:15 a.m. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, and the coach leaves on time. I would arrive early, especially because the departure point is at Bulleid Way and the meeting instructions can be easy to miss in the busy Victoria area.

The first stop is Winchester, once the capital of Anglo-Saxon England. You have about two hours here, enough to walk through the old center and choose an attraction. The cathedral and Norman Great Hall are the obvious choices, but their admission fees are not included, so reserve ahead if you want to enter.

Winchester works well as a first stop because it gives you a taste of England’s older royal and religious story before the tour turns toward prehistoric Britain. You also get time for a drink, lunch, and a proper stretch after leaving London.

Stonehenge follows, with about 90 minutes at the site. Admission is included. You can visit the exhibition at the visitor center, then use the land train shuttle toward the stone circle.

The time is enough for the main experience, but not for a leisurely study of every display. Stonehenge is exposed, so bring a coat even when London feels mild. The stones sit in open country, and wind can make the visit feel colder than expected.

After Stonehenge, you continue to Exeter, an important former Roman settlement and your base for two nights. Depending on the accommodation arrangement, you stay in Exeter or Torquay. Breakfast is included, but lunches, dinners, and drinks are your responsibility.

Day two: Dartmoor’s ponies and Tavistock

Day two trades grand monuments for open moorland. Dartmoor is known for its rock formations, native ponies, and wide, windswept views. The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes, so think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a proper hike.

The short stop is one of the tour’s compromises. You can see the character of Dartmoor, take photographs, and walk a little, but you will not explore a large section on foot. If you want long walks, this is not the right format.

You cross the ancient Clapper Bridge at Postbridge before continuing to Tavistock. The bridge and the surrounding moor give you a useful sense of the area’s older rural traditions. Tavistock, the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake, is a historic market town where you have about 30 minutes.

That half-hour goes quickly. I would use it for a brief walk and a look at the town center rather than trying to fit in a formal attraction. The point is to sample Tavistock, not master it.

You return to Exeter in the early afternoon with around two hours to explore independently. This is one of the better-designed parts of the tour because you are not forced to spend every minute with the group.

You can see the city walls, Exeter Cathedral, the Royal Albert Memorial, and the Quayside. The cathedral and museums may charge admission, and advance booking is sensible for popular attractions. If you prefer a slower afternoon, use the time for a meal and a walk around the center.

Day three: Boscastle, Tintagel, and Port Isaac

Day three brings the strongest concentration of Cornish character. Boscastle Harbour is a medieval fishing village with a compact harbor and dramatic headland. You have 90 minutes, enough for a short walk, a cream tea, or a look at the Museum of Witchcraft, though those extras are not included.

Boscastle is a good place to wear proper walking shoes. The harbor area is manageable, but the headland walk can involve uneven ground and slopes. You may want to choose one activity rather than trying to do everything.

Next comes Tintagel Castle, included in the tour price, with about 90 minutes on site. The ruins occupy a clifftop setting linked with King Arthur. The setting is the star, with sea views and steep approaches adding to the drama.

The time allows you to reach the main viewpoints and see the castle area, but it is not generous for a slow visit. Wear shoes with good grip, and take care on the climbs. This is one stop where the physical effort is part of the experience.

Port Isaac follows for about an hour. The village is strongly associated with Doc Martin, but you do not need to know the television series to enjoy its narrow streets, harbor, and fishing-village character.

An hour gives you a useful taste, not a full day. You can walk by the harbor, find a snack, or look for filming locations. The lanes can be tight, so keep your orientation in mind and return to the meeting point early.

You then continue to Falmouth for two nights. Falmouth is a particularly welcome base because it gives you time to settle in. Accommodation ranges from small B&Bs to 3-star hotels. A Falmouth hotel such as the Greenbank has been especially well regarded for its location, comfortable rooms, restaurant, outdoor seating, and views.

Day four: St. Michael’s Mount, Minack Theatre, and St. Ives

Day four is the visual high point of the trip. The first stop is St. Michael’s Mount, but this is a 10-minute photo stop only. You will not have time to cross to the island or explore its buildings.

That detail matters. If St. Michael’s Mount is a personal priority, you need a separate visit on another trip. Here, you get a view and a quick introduction to the legends surrounding the site.

The Minack Theatre is next, subject to availability. This open-air theater is built above the ocean near Porthcurno, and its position is remarkable even if no performance is taking place. Admission is not included, and the guide will confirm whether the visit can happen.

The theater is a highlight for many people, but do not treat it as guaranteed. If it is open to the tour, reserve the optional ticket using the link on your voucher. Give yourself time for steps and slopes, and bring a jacket because the coastal setting can feel exposed.

Land’s End follows with about 20 minutes. This is a quick viewpoint stop, useful for photographs and a sense of Cornwall’s western edge. You also pass areas marked by old tin-mining activity and scenery associated with Poldark.

The final stop is St. Ives, where you have two hours. This is one of the most rewarding independent stops on the route. You can explore the harbor, browse galleries, walk the narrow streets, or simply sit with a drink and watch the town move around you.

Two hours will not cover every gallery or museum, but it lets you choose your own pace. I like that the stop offers several ways to spend the time. You do not need to follow a fixed group walk, and you can make the afternoon as cultural or relaxed as you wish.

You return to Falmouth for your second night. This is a pleasant rhythm: a full day out, then the same room and town again instead of another hotel change.

Day five: Bodmin Moor and Glastonbury

The final day starts with Bodmin Moor, a wild area designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You have about an hour to see the open moor and take photographs.

This is a scenic farewell to Cornwall, although the weather can change quickly. Keep your coat handy, and do not expect a formal walking excursion. The stop is about atmosphere and views.

The route then turns toward Glastonbury, where you have two hours. The town brings together early Christian tradition, Arthurian stories, and pagan associations. You can visit the ruins of the seventh-century abbey, have lunch, or climb Glastonbury Tor for views across five counties.

Glastonbury divides opinion because it feels different from the coastal villages and moorland stops. I would choose one clear plan before you arrive. The abbey and town suit a relaxed visit; the Tor requires more effort and time. Trying to do all three may leave you rushing.

After Glastonbury, you return to London and finish at Victoria. The final drive is long, and that is the tour’s least exciting stretch. Still, the route gives you a useful last look at southern England, and regular stops help break up the journey.

Small group travel and the driver-guide

The group is capped at 16 people, and the vehicle is a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. That is much more personal than a large sightseeing bus, and it allows the driver-guide to give specific advice at each stop.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Carl has been praised for clear briefings and for adjusting the route when bad weather or road closures cause problems. John, June, Kevin, Dean, David Coatsworth, Christo, Stuart, Hugh, Helen Pointer, Kate Needham, Nick, Russ, and Samuel have also led departures of this route.

You should expect a mix of practical directions, local stories, folklore, and history. Some guides speak quickly, which can be hard for people who are not native English speakers. If that applies to you, ask for slower explanations at the start.

A small group also creates a social element. One departure may have only two or three people, while another may be full. The tour is guaranteed to operate unless safety prevents it, so a small group can mean extra flexibility rather than cancellation.

Accommodation, meals, and what to pack

You receive four nights of en-suite accommodation with breakfast. You can choose a B&B or 3-star hotel, although the exact property depends on availability.

B&Bs may sit on the edge of town, with a 20 to 30-minute walk to pubs and restaurants. Hotels are often more central, but they can also be a similar distance from local facilities. Mention stair or lift needs when booking, since some B&Bs have no lift.

Breakfast is included, but other meals are not. Your guide can suggest places for lunch and dinner, and the stops usually provide chances to buy food. Carry some water and a small snack for the coach.

The luggage limit is 20 kilograms, roughly one medium suitcase or airline-style carry-on bag plus a small personal bag. Pack light. A compact bag is much easier in the mini-coach and at smaller B&Bs.

You should bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
• Layers and waterproof clothing
• A camera or phone for the coast and moors
• Spending money for meals and optional admissions
• Any advance tickets required for Winchester or the Minack Theatre

There is no restroom on the coach, but the schedule includes regular breaks.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you have five days, do not want to drive, and want a broad first look at Devon and Cornwall. It suits solo travelers, couples, and small groups who prefer an organized route but still want free time in Exeter, St. Ives, and Glastonbury.

I would think twice if you want long hikes, extended museum visits, or several slow mornings. The schedule is full, and many stops are introductions rather than complete visits.

At 96 percent recommended and rated 4.8 from 296 ratings, the strongest pattern is clear: the guides, scenery, route planning, and small vehicle receive the most praise. The weaker points are also consistent: short stop times, the long return to London, occasional basic B&B rooms, and the uncertainty around the Minack Theatre.

Book this tour if your aim is to cover the region efficiently and let someone else handle the narrow roads. Choose the B&B option for a more personal stay, the hotel option for a better chance of central access, and reserve at least 21 full days ahead if you want the option of a full refund after cancellation.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Green Line Coach Station, Bulleid Way, London SW1W 9SA, near Victoria.

What time does the tour leave London?

Departure is at 9:15 a.m. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, and the coach leaves on time.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

What vehicle is used?

The tour uses a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with air conditioning. There are three steps into the coach, each about 150 millimeters high, with grab handles and non-slip marked treads.

What accommodation is included?

You receive four nights in an en-suite B&B or 3-star hotel with breakfast. The usual pattern is two nights in Exeter or Torquay and two nights in Falmouth.

Are Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle included?

Yes. Admission to Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle is included in the tour price.

Is the Minack Theatre visit guaranteed?

No. The visit depends on availability. Admission is not included, and your guide will tell you during the tour if the stop can take place.

How much luggage can I bring?

You may bring up to 20 kilograms per person. This includes one medium suitcase or rucksack plus a small onboard personal bag.

Can children and wheelchair users join?

Children must be at least five years old. The coach is not wheelchair accessible, but it can store a folding wheelchair or walking frame. You must be able to board and leave the coach independently or with help from a companion.