Devon And Cornwall

[Cal]

We have recently enjoyed a couple of weeks on the Devon and Cornwall coast with the van. The weather was a bit hit and miss at times but on the whole for the time of year it was a cracking 16 days away.

Day 1

The long drive from Worksop to Watchett. 

We were lucky to get parked in one of the two designated motorhome parking bays. Plenty of other vans turned up after we got parked and had to go and find alternative parking. 

 

[Cal]

Day 2

Our destination for today was to be Watermouth Bay near Ilfracombe. We were on a site for the night with a cracking view from atop the cliffs.

The wind got up in the night and it wasn't the best night's sleep but we were not as disturbed as the people camping in tents further up the hill!!

 

[Cal]

Day 3

Further along the North coast to Appledore. More tight roads and another windy and exposed parking spot. We resorted to winding down the rear corner steadies and had a much better nights sleep.

[Cal]

Day 4

A real wet day today and a bit of a waste of a destination as we didn't really see much it was so wet. Tintagel was the destination. We did make it to the pub at the car park entrance but really that was all we saw of what I am sure is a very nice place. The walk to the castle will have to wait for our next visit.

[Cal]

Day 5

The weather was much better today. The roads no so much. We did actually get stuck on a lane that was not wide enough this day. A long reverse back up a windy hill to find somewhere to turn around and we were soon back on track again and heading for Perranporth.

A Texaco petrol station car park was our overnight stop tonight. We go to all the best places 

We had a good laugh about our predicament over a few beers :)

And found an excellent Indian takeout. Definitely on the list again for the next visit to this neck of the woods.

[Cal]

Day 6

Today we were heading further West to Lands End. We called in at St Ives on the way past.

A campsite tonight. Lands End Camping and Glamping just a short walk from Lands End.

[Cal]

Day 7

Another funny weather day. It started alright for a visit to Marazion but quickly descended into a wild, windy and wet day. We had a very quick visit to Lizard Point before heading to a campsite to seek shelter. We were not booked on until tomorrow but they had space for an extra night.

[Cal]

Day 8

An unexpected day off moving the van today. We jumped on the bus to Falmouth which in itself was a white knuckle ride!!

 

[Cal]

Day 9

On the move again. We were looking forward to this stopover at Mevagissey. We knew that we could not miss the entrance to the car park we were staying in though or we would be in a whole world of trouble with the tight narrow streets around the harbour.

[Cal]

Day 10

A visit to Charlestown, Mutton Cove and then onto the park and ride we were staying overnight at in Plymouth.

This was the only night we had a really bad nights sleep with boy racers in the car park pretty much all night. Which was a shame as it was a really handy location.

[Cal]

Day 11

A visit to Kingsbridge before heading to our site for the next couple of nights at Start Bay, Torcross.

We had a walk into the adjacent village for a few drinks.

[Cal]

Day 12

No van movement today. But we had a walk to Torcross which was the scene of terrible loss of life during the war. Exercise Tiger went horribly wrong for the US armed forces with the loss of nearly 1000 lives. 

 

[Cal]

Day 13

On the move again. A small ferry at Dartmouth today on the way to Paignton and then onto the outskirts of Exeter for a pubstop over.

[Cal]

Day 14

Our last night on the south coast. Started with a visit to Chisel Beach and then onto Potland Bill for an over night stop at the Puplit Inn.

Another windy night but we managed to seek shelter behind a large hedge and had a peaceful night despite the wind howling outside.

[Cal]

Day 15

The long drive back to Nottinghamshire. 5.5 hours drive today due to traffic so we were ready to park up at Denton Wharf, a favourite local stop and were glad of the walk to the pub to stretch our legs.

 

 

Day 16

Just a 50 minute drive home today down the A1. A nice easy end to a fab holiday.

Then time to unload the van and get it back in the drive ready for the next outing.

[YnysMon]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. That third photo of Mevagissey looks like a picture postcard shot. Beautiful!

Thanks for posting.

[LizG]

Those Cornish lanes with high sides are bad enough in a car let alone a camper van but I suppose you are higher up and can see a bit better?

[Cal]

22 minutes ago, LizG said:

Those Cornish lanes with high sides are bad enough in a car let alone a camper van but I suppose you are higher up and can see a bit better?

Visibility is a lot better than in a car but still not great.

We were glad to get back on "proper" roads again :)

[BrundallNavy]

I see the house that featured on Grand Design sold the day after it aired, a cool 10 million and the kitchen and Bathrooms are extra. 

[ranworthbreeze]

4 hours ago, Cal said:

Day 12

No van movement today. But we had a walk to Torcross which was the scene of terrible loss of life during the war. Exercise Tiger went horribly wrong for the US armed forces with the loss of nearly 1000 lives. 

 

I hope you sampled the fish at the Start Bay Inn

[Cal]

33 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

I hope you sampled the fish at the Start Bay Inn

We didn't unfortunately but we did have a good long chat to the chef the day before in the pub in the village at Stokenham.

Then got chatting to his mum when we called into the Sole Bay Inn for a few dinnertime drinks. 

The food looked amazing but we had a big breakfast so not hungry when we got there!

[snunn]

14 hours ago, ranworthbreeze said:

I hope you sampled the fish at the Start Bay Inn

We are off to Dartmouth today for a few days then visiting friends who have moved from Hope Cove to Stokenham 

we have lunch booked in a local pub one day and the Start Bay Inn another 

now looking forward to it even more

 

[floydraser]

19 hours ago, LizG said:

Those Cornish lanes with high sides are bad enough in a car let alone a camper van but I suppose you are higher up and can see a bit better?

It's those roads which put me off going down there. Not a relaxing drive especially with an impatient local on your tail.

[Cal]

53 minutes ago, floydraser said:

It's those roads which put me off going down there. Not a relaxing drive especially with an impatient local on your tail.

Aside from them being narrow we didn't really have any issues with the roads or the locals. 

If we found we were holding people up we just pulled over when possible and let them past.

We had a few tight moments with larger vehicles coming the other way where we had to inch past each other but I think the drivers there are used to that. Even the A roads and lorry routes down there are tight!

It is what it is. We will certainly be going back again at some point.