North Devon & Somerset

Making your way to Barnstaple independently, we meet our Tour Manager at our hotel on the banks of the River Taw. Afterwards, there is time at leisure to explore north Devon's largest town and one of the UK's oldest boroughs.

An important medieval river port, Barnstaple garnered immense wealth during the 14th century as a hub for the exportation of wool. The town is also famed for its historic markets and retains the bustle of a shoppers' haven in its independent stores. Steeped in history but with a cosmopolitan air, this is the perfect starting point to take in the beauty of north Devon and Somerset, with Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks on its doorstep.

This evening, we reconvene at our hotel to enjoy our first dinner together.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we spend the day exploring beautiful west Devon. A coach journey takes us through the countryside to Exeter, from where we travel to Okehampton on the Dartmoor Line - a route that was only reinstated as part of the UK rail network in 2021.

An expert guide joins us in Okehampton for a coach trip to Tavistock - the only Devon town to hold UNESCO World Heritage status. There is free time to explore here, and you can wander its thriving streets lined by buildings made from local Hurdwick stone, discovering independent shops and places to grab a bite for lunch.

Back on the coach, we enter Dartmoor. Surrounded by wide open greenery dotted with craggy boulders and the occasional sheep or wild pony, this isolated and windswept moorland is peppered with Bronze Age settlements and mystical stone circles. Dartmoor has helped inspire famous works by the likes of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, and having absorbed the spellbinding landscapes, it's easy to see how. From the picturesque market town of Moretonhampstead, we return to our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we travel north by coach to Woody Bay, stopping enroute at the Valley of the Rocks. This dramatic section of coastline on the northern edge of Exmoor provides picture-perfect views of the seascape. Reaching Woody Bay, a serene bay surrounded by the scenery of Exmoor National Park, we board the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.

On authentic 1890s carriages, we relax and soak up the backdrop of wild moorland and attractive coastline on a two-mile round trip. Next, we visit the pretty coastal town of Lynton itself, with time at leisure over lunch. One great sightseeing option is to ride the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, a steep funicular that joins the two towns, providing incredible views across the coast and sea.

In the afternoon, we explore the enchanting RHS Garden Rosemoor. After a guided tour, there's time at leisure to stroll through the kaleidoscopic displays, including an elegant rose garden with around 2,000 varieties, warm-hued plants of the 'hot garden', and the cottage garden. This evening, we return to Barnstaple for dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore at your own pace. A market town since Saxon times, Barnstaple is bursting with things to see and do and is easy to get around. Pannier Market was opened in 1855 and has remained mostly unchanged ever since, offers fresh local produce, crafts and flowers. Originally where townsfolk bought their meat, the small, attractive shops of Butchers Row now contain tempting cafés and bakeries, where you can purchase delicious snacks.

Exploring further afield, Bideford is a pretty town filled with great pubs, friendly locals and scenic river views that can be reached by bus - as can Ilfracombe. This attractive harbour town of pastel-hued buildings boasts various museums and attractions for art-lovers, including Damien Hurst's huge statue, Verity, who stands guard at the harbour entrance.

Henry Williamson's much-loved tale, Tarka the Otter, was set near Barnstaple. Take a gentle stroll along a section of the Tarka Trail that passes through to town to admire views of the Taw estuary. You dine independently this evening, and you could visit one of Barnstaple's award-winning restaurants.

• Breakfast

We continue further along the coast after breakfast, travelling by coach to Minehead, huddled at the edge of Exmoor. With time at leisure, you could explore the traditional seaside town in the centre or traditional fishermen's cottages near North Hill.

This afternoon, we board the West Somerset Railway for a heritage journey through beautiful countryside. Passing delightful stations like Blue Anchor and Watchet, showcasing their unique architectural charm, the train makes its way along the edge of the Quantock Hills to the picturesque village of Bishops Lydeard.

From here, a coach transfer takes us to Sheppy's Cider Farm, where the Sheppy family has been making award-winning cider for more than 200 years. After learning about how apples are used to produce this popular beverage, there is a chance to taste classic Somerset cider, made from a traditional recipe passed down through six generations of the family.

Returning to our hotel later this afternoon, there's time to relax before we gather for our final dinner as a group this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our time in north Devon ends after breakfast this morning. Once you've checked out, you are free to say farewell to your Tour Manager and make your way home. Alternatively, you could decide to continue your exploring further on your own.

As we depart, we can look back on the memories that have been created in this picturesque part of England. The landscapes of Devon and Somerset have delighted us, from the rugged coastline to the stirring scenery of Dartmoor and Exmoor. We explored the charms of pretty villages and historic towns such as Barnstaple, Lynton and Tavistock, and enjoyed wonderful heritage rail journeys on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway and West Somerset Railway. The scents and flavours of the region were experienced among the blooms at the floral RHS Garden Rosemoor as well as during a tasting at an authentic cider farm.

• Breakfast