In my epic running list of UK trips you should take, this road trip is at the top of my list.

I’ve curated this specific guide to take you from London to the heart of Cornwall, stopping at charming villages, historic sites, and stunning coastal landscapes along the way. In just a few days you can get a taster of the best that UK has to offer.

Let’s explore!

The highlights:

• 🚗 Total drive time: ~6 hours (London to St. Ives)

• ⏳ Recommended duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

• 🏡 Stays: A mix of countryside inns, boutique hotels, and a final coastal retreat

• 🍻 Pubs: Historic countryside pubs with cozy charm and local seafood spots

Day 1: London to The Cotswolds – Storybook Villages & Pub Lunches

🚗 Drive Time: ~2 hours (London to Burford)

📍 Morning Stop: Burford, The Gateway to the Cotswolds

• Stroll the high street lined with antique shops & tearooms

• Visit The Burford Garden Company for countryside home inspiration

• Stop by St. John the Baptist Church, a historic 12th-century landmark

🍽 Lunch: The Lamb Inn – A classic English countryside pub with roaring fires

📍 Afternoon: Bibury & Bourton-on-the-Water

• Bibury: Snap a photo of Arlington Row, one of England’s prettiest streets

• Bourton-on-the-Water: Walk along the charming riverside, known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds”

🏡 Overnight Stay: The Wild Rabbit, Kingham – A stylish countryside retreat with an award-winning restaurant

Day 2: The Cotswolds to Somerset – Cheddar Gorge & Cathedral Cities

🚗 Drive Time: ~2 hours (Kingham to Wells, via Cheddar Gorge)

📍 Morning Stop: Cheddar Gorge

• Drive through England’s largest gorge, with dramatic limestone cliffs

• Optional stop: Explore the caves where Cheddar cheese was first aged

📍 Afternoon: Wells, England’s Smallest City

• Visit Wells Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture

• Walk through Vicars’ Close, the oldest medieval street in Europe

🍽 Lunch: The Swan Hotel – A cozy spot with views of the cathedral

📍 Evening Drive to Devon

• Arrive in Dartmoor National Park for a peaceful evening

🏡 Overnight Stay: Gidleigh Park, Chagford – A luxury country house hotel in the heart of Dartmoor

Day 3: Dartmoor to Cornwall – Coastal Views & Hidden Beaches

🚗 Drive Time: ~2.5 hours (Dartmoor to Fowey, via Tavistock & Plymouth)

📍 Morning Stop: Tavistock & Plymouth

• Visit Tavistock Market, an ancient market town known for local produce

• Stop at Plymouth Hoe for panoramic sea views & a maritime history lesson

🍽 Lunch: The Ferry Inn, Salcombe – A waterside pub serving fresh seafood

📍 Afternoon: Entering Cornwall – Fowey & The Lost Gardens of Heligan

• Wander through the seaside town of Fowey, known for its independent shops & boat tours

• Visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan, a magical restored Victorian garden

🏡 Overnight Stay: The Old Quay House, Fowey – A stylish boutique hotel overlooking the estuary

Day 4: South Cornwall – Hidden Coves & Scenic Clifftop Walks

🚗 Drive Time: ~1.5 hours (Fowey to St. Ives, via Kynance Cove)

📍 Morning: Lizard Peninsula & Kynance Cove

• Drive to Kynance Cove, a breathtaking beach with turquoise waters & dramatic cliffs

• Walk part of the South West Coast Path for incredible sea views

🍽 Lunch: The Witchball, Lizard Village – The UK’s most southerly pub

📍 Afternoon: Arriving in St. Ives

• Explore the Tate St. Ives for coastal-inspired art

• Stroll along Porthmeor Beach, a golden sand paradise

🏡 Overnight Stay: A luxury Plum Guide cottage in St. Ives.

Here are some we recommend:

Day 5: St. Ives & Surrounding Cornwall – A Perfect Coastal Finale

🚗 No major driving today – Just explore! We’re also working on a curated guide to St. Ives, stay tuned.

📍 Morning: Coffee & Coastal Walks

• Get a pastry and a coffee from Yellow Canary (their croissants are to die for!). They also have a lovely walk up window so you can grab and go along your stroll.

• Walk the St. Ives to Zennor coastal path – stunning views & rugged cliffs. If you want to make it more of a day excursion, you can hike all the way to Zennor and stop at a pub.

📍 Afternoon: Explore & Relax

🍽 Final Dinner: Ardors – Spanish tapas to die for and a great wine selection.

End with a pub evening at Sloop Inn, a St. Ives staple spot!

🏡 Stay Another Night or Begin the Return Journey

Final Road Trip Overview & Key Stops:

• Day 1: London → The Cotswolds (Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water)

• Day 2: The Cotswolds → Somerset (Cheddar Gorge, Wells, Dartmoor)

• Day 3: Dartmoor → Cornwall (Tavistock, Plymouth, Fowey)

• Day 4: South Cornwall → St. Ives (Kynance Cove, Lizard Peninsula)

•  Day 5: Exploring St. Ives, Penzance & Land’s End

Want more dreamy UK itineraries and countryside stays?

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