We thought we would share with you our Staycation to South West England in September 2020. We will share our adventure and see how different an experience it is. Please read in conjunction with our Staycation guide after the covid lock down. This is more the places we visited and our experiences, the other will give you tips and planning and food for thought.
So this trip takes us from the Garden of England so the South East to the South West. To give a little overview to make this trip in one go would be around 6.5 hours driving, so we thought we would break it up by adding places to visit on the way. We set off around 5pm driving for roughly 2.5 hours with good traffic (our fingers were crossed). We had already booked a travelodge near to our visit place, Stonehenge.
Stonehenge
When Stonehenge is mentioned its normally in conjunction with the summer solstice. However, not the reason for our visit especially as its September not June. This is a whole experience rather than a just wander to see the some stones in a field. There is a visitors centre, a replica stone, an exhibit with over 250 archaeological treasures. There is a shuttle bus which takes you to the stones or you can walk which is a 4km round trip. We walked, taking in the views of the contrasting lush greenery to the yellow of the sun baked crops on the farmed land. As you walk along you have to go in and out of gated fields please remember to shut the gates. There were different place of interest as you walked along with info boards. While you walk, always looking out for the stones. Yes we are there – you can walk around them, get photos from all angles. The area is all roped off you cannot go into the circle of the stones. But you can stroll all the way round. There are signs around for you to get educated about the history.
Adult tickets £19.50. (correct at time of writing)
Top tips
We were looking into this about 2weeks before we went and opted to join English Heritage for a joint membership it’s about £9.09 a month.
There are lots of different places this membership covers this is the link
You need to book a slot before you go to Stonehenge with or without the membership ( due to covid restrictions they amount of people on site is limited) you have a ½ hour time slot to arrive in.
Tintagel Castle
We drove from Stonehenge to Tintagel castle which was about a 2 ½ hour drive. There is a few car parks in Tintagel village. The castle itself is half on the mainland and half on a island accessible by a bridge. The 12th century castle ruins then home to the legendary King Arthur. Some great views of the rugged Cornish coastline can be seen over the walls of the castle.
There is a little exhibiton centre and cafe and shop along with table and benches.
There are two bridges to get to and from both sides of the castle. Due to he restrictions in place one is used to go into and the other out of. The higher one is newly built which is slate laid side by side and give a weird feeling of sinking when you walk across. On the way down there is quite a steep set of steps to the lower wooden beisge. There are staff around if you need any advice or help.
As with stonehenge- the English heritage membership you would get in for free. However , we would suggest booking as this sold out after we booked, when you either use membership or general admissions . The general admission charge for an adult was £16.
Newquay
A town on the North Coast of Cornwall, known for its sandy beaches and surf community, the strong surf from the Atlantic Ocean tempting beginners and experts alike to the beautiful Fistral beach. The town, also has an aquarium and zoo. Newquay is very popular staycation destination and is very busy in July / August. We walked past Fistral bay and found ourselves walking on Pentire Headland with some cracking views on all sides. We walked back along Fistral Beach along the coast path past Huers Hut and into the town. A quaint fishing village which then turned into very touristy shopping centre. We walked down the side road and found the below to take a photo of.
Lands End
Above is the obligatory photo to show we have been to the most westerly point in England, Here no entrance fee- but you do have to pay for car parking. Great views along this rugged Cornish coast. This is the place for walkers with coastal paths and wildlife. There is lots of things to do like a little shopping village, take a break and try a cream tea. There is a farm and other attractions that take a few to get in.
St Ives
Along with Newquay, St Ives has sandy beaches and waves to surf, for all levels of competence. If you are looking for more cultural activities try the Tate St Ives. You can get a trip out to seal island. If all these weren’t enough you could just sit on the quay and enjoy the coming and goings in the harbour and enjoy some fish and chips to aswell . Only downside was the parking, the carparks were full and you often found yourself in narrow roads in the town. After trying 3 or 4 car parks which we full and cars still trying to park .We came back out of the town and ended up a side street with a 20 minute walk back down to the actual town.
The Minack Theatre
This is an open air theatre less than 100 years okd, even though the feel is older. In Cornish Minacj means rocky place so you can see why it is called this. The story behind this is that Rowena Cade dedicated herself to build and shape the theatre we see today. Her true grit and life work to see this amazing place as it is today. Surrounded by the sub tropical planting the theatre has winding pathways and tiered seating, with the Atlantic Ocean backdrop. There are still performances given here. This is a really interesting place to see, get the story of Rowena Cade, the hard work she put in and the inspiration to keep it going. There is an entrance fee, which has to be booked into a time slot of ½ an hour. Something to note if you are getting there for opening time in the morning. The entrance is closed and the road is tiny and there is next to no parking or waiting places or places to turnaround. That said it was incredible to see and well worth a visit.
Porthcurno Beach
The above photo is taken from a view point in The Minack Theatre grounds, so this just called to us to visit. So of you come out if the theatre entrance turn right and follow the road along you will come to a car park, turn in. Yous actually need money for this one. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the sand. There was a one way in and another way out to gain access to the beach, when we went due to the circumstances. They were also walking trails . At this car park, was the historic cable telegraph museum . But hey, for us , it was the beach and it did not disappoint! How many times can we write sandy beach , (well here it is again, ) and the brilliant blue of the Ocean. We tested the water here and it was chilly as you would expect. There are lifeguards in this cove which made you feel safe, surrounded by cliffs and overlooked by the Minack. Quite a romantic setting to sit a ponder.
Google map coordinates 50.044,-5.652
St Michaels Mount
This is a tidal island so you can only gain access by foot when the tide is out.
You need to book tickets to this or you won’t get on the island. We parked at a car park at the beach on the right if facing the island at long rock beach again it was quite a long walk to reach the path that takes you to the island. So as you can guess we didn’t have tickets so all we can say is it looked amazing , the castle high on top over looking its own harbour.
Ticket and times slots needed at £11.50 each or for a family of 2 adults and up to 3 children is £28.50 . Spaces are limited due to covid restrictions.
Truro
We popped to Truro and visited the cathedral while we were there.
Gwithian Beach
What an absolute gem of a place ! it also with a big car park , sand dunes , amazing beach and an off shore island. Lots of surfers, explorers roaming the dunes, lifeguards keeping everyone safe from the strong currents. A little piece of paradise on the Cornish coast. There were toilets to use, a couple of cates nearby. This is what makes an English beach, it’s a big thumbs up from us. ( Warmer waters would be a plus) .
Google map coordinates 50.222.-5.396
Eden Project
So we are making our back home and like most ending of holidays, it’s a sad time , so we thought we would have one last adventure. It encapsulates learning, wonderful environments and strong enviromental messages. Pre-booked visits only with tickets to be bought online.( Will give you a tip later). The bio domes hold a rainforest climate in one with all the beautiful plantation and the other was a Mediterranean climate. These were so good lots of species of plants and bridges you could walk acorss. Particle favourites were the spices and cocoa plants.
Good tiered pathways making it accessible for all. We spent a few hours wandering around we were under time constraints. However you could easily stay all day. There were picnic areas and food purchasing areas – we had burritos which were lovely.
A couple of things to remember , which car park you parked in, a mask as some of this is indoors , comfy shoes as there is alot of walking around.
Tickets £28.50 per adult which does get you a year pass from the date of booking . Or if like us you probably won’t be back that way for a while at least . Order a gardeners world magazine from may 2020 editon and it comes with a 2 for 1 entry it’s £6.99 so it saves you £20 ish on entry and the lead person still gets the years pass. Once you have booked the tickets you do have to email to get the 2for 1 part booked in, but within an hour they had replied and it was sorted . So you need a week for the magazine to get to you.
Hope you enjoyed our south west England adventure. If you have any queries we can help with, let us know and we will do what we can.
