Fall in love with the south of England - 8 days

Southern England inspires with postcard motifs at every turn. Between blooming gardens, ancient stone walls along winding roads, proud manor houses and picturesque little fishing villages, this is a region with beautiful facets. Dramatic cliffs with dreamy bays along the coast and inland rural idylls with green hills and vast moors. Visit the beautiful medieval towns and the beauty to the left and right along the way to the far south-west of the British Isles.
Discover England from a picture book and join us on this enchanting journey.

Day 1: Ferry across the English Channel to Dover - A
On a route of your choice, the first leg of your journey takes you to Calais or Dunkirk, where you check in on a ferry across the English Channel. The striking snow-white cliffs of the English coast, which are a landmark of the harbour town of Dover, can be seen from afar.
Depending on your arrival time, you can pay a visit to Dover and Dover Castle (optional). The majestic chalk cliffs rising proudly on the shore create a breathtaking backdrop and the historical significance of the small town can be felt in the ancient walls and cobbled streets. The largest castle in England has survived the centuries well and is a fascinating testament to a rich history. It has been of great strategic importance since it was built in 1180. Exhibitions and multimedia presentations provide information about its eventful history. With its impressive great hall, magnificent royal apartments, imposing towers and thick walls, it has served as a defence facility, strategic base, royal residence and, during the Second World War, as a command centre. The interactive exhibition ‘Dover under Siege’ in the years 1216-1217, which opened in July 2024, is new. You can explore the medieval tunnels and learn more about the lives of the soldiers during this time. A door with graffiti from the Napoleonic era was discovered in St John's Tower, offering insights into the minds of the soldiers of the time. After careful restoration, this door is now also on display in the exhibition.
On the onward journey to your overnight destination, you will travel along the Kent Downs, a region of exceptional beauty through the easternmost county in southern England, which is also officially known as the ‘Garden of England’.

Day 2: To Bristol via Windsor and Bath – 290 km - F/A
On your way west, you will reach Windsor. A leisurely boat trip offers the opportunity to explore the region from the water. The tour takes you along the River Thames and offers impressive views of sights such as the iconic Windsor Castle and the picturesque surroundings. During the cruise, informative explanations provide interesting insights into the history of the region and its links to the British monarchy. On your onward journey, you can plan a photo stop in Avebury. The Avebury stone circles are among the largest prehistoric stone circles in the world and date back to the Neolithic period, around 2500 B.C. Surrounded by an impressive landscape, they are part of a larger ritual complex and still puzzle over their exact meaning and use. They can be visited at any time as they are freely accessible. You can walk directly between the mighty monoliths, explore the extensive complex and enjoy the special atmosphere of this historic site. The charming town of Bath enchants visitors with its ornate facades and rich history dating back to ancient times. A city tour offers you the opportunity to discover the city's impressive Georgian architecture and historic sights. Among other things, you will visit the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and the Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, while an experienced guide tells interesting anecdotes. The Roman Baths of Bath are a superbly preserved ancient bathing complex and one of the most important Roman sites in Britain. Visitors can explore the impressive architecture, steaming thermal waters and fascinating exhibitions that give an insight into Roman life and bathing culture (optional).

Day 3: Through the picturesque south-west to Exeter and Plymouth – 200 km - F/A
Bristol has a rich maritime past that is closely linked to trade and shipping. Here, modern architecture meets historic landmarks. The Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering and offers spectacular views of the city.
The onward journey to Plymouth promises a delightful journey through picturesque south-west England, through the green hills and pretty villages of Somerset and the idyllic landscapes of Devon and Cornwall. You visit the cosy town of Exeter, surrounded by Roman city walls and with a medieval town centre. Exeter Cathedral, an impressive Gothic building, dominates the city's skyline and is not only home to impressive works of art, but also the longest uninterrupted Gothic vaulted ceiling in the world (optional). Enjoy the wild Dartmoor, where unspoilt picture-book landscapes with deep valleys, clear rivers, ancient stone bridges and charming villages pass you by. With a bit of luck, you may spot some of the approximately 2500 wild ponies that live here. Countless sheep also graze on the open meadows of the moor all year round. The landscape, which is lined with granite rocks, heather and gorse, has been the setting for many of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's (The Hound of the Baskervilles) and Agatha Christie's detective stories. The most famous photo stop, however, is at Postbridge. The old 18th century stone bridge is probably one of the most photographed bridges in Dartmoor National Park. Visit the Dartmoor Prison Museum (optional). His Majesty's Prison Dartmoor is one of the oldest and most famous prisons in the UK and the museum offers a fascinating insight into the history and daily life of this historic prison, which plays a significant role in British criminal justice history. It was built in 1805 as a prisoner of war camp and is often mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes detective stories.

Day 4: Round trip Cornwall to the end of the country – 300 km - F/A
Today, your expert tour guide will organise the day according to your wishes. For example, visit the pretty fishermen's cottages, art galleries, boutiques and a cosy promenade in St. Ives, from where visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the harbour and the azure blue sea. Golden sandy beaches invite you to take a stroll and the unique light has inspired many artists. The charming little alleyways, lined with bright green cottages with exotic gardens, are typical of the cityscape. While fishermen and smugglers once plied their trade at the harbour, today the town thrives on art and tourism.

We also head to the most westerly point in England: Land's End. Walk along the abandoned smugglers' paths and enjoy a great view of the Isles of Scilly on a clear day. On the way back, head via Penzance, the capital of the Cornish Riviera, for a photo stop at St Michael's Mount. This historic landmark rises majestically from the sea and is accessible via a causeway at low tide, while it becomes an island at high tide. The former Benedictine monastery was converted into a mighty fortress in the 18th century. Its impressive location and architecture make it one of the most famous sights in Cornwall. Alternatively, stop off in one of the charming fishing villages of Polperro or Looe, two picturesque towns on the wild and stunning Cornish coast. Stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets that wind along the small harbour. The houses are typical of the region with their whitewashed walls and colourful doors. Watch the seagulls circling over the small harbour, where the fishing boats make a pretty photo opportunity.

Day 5: The magical English Riviera – 130 km - F/A
The picturesque English Riviera is a true paradise, captivating with its breathtaking beauty, mild climate and rich history. Along the picturesque Devon coast, the region enchants with charming towns such as Torquay, Paignton and Dartmouth, which exude a unique atmosphere with their colourful houses, Victorian buildings and pretty harbours. The rolling hills that rise above the deep blue sea are dotted with lush gardens that are in full bloom every season. The journey on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway is particularly delightful, taking you through breathtaking scenery and bringing the charm of times gone by to life. Passing dramatic cliffs, secret coves and golden sandy beaches, the journey offers magnificent views of the vast sea and unspoilt countryside. Agatha Christie, the ‘Queen of Crime’, spent much of her life here and was greatly inspired by this environment. She was born in Torquay in 1890 and her summer country home, Greenway, where she wrote many of her best-known novels, is located along the railway line. Enjoy the journey back to Victorian times to Kingswear, where you then take the ferry to Dartmouth, a charming town with narrow streets, historic buildings and the imposing Dartmouth Castle. Explore the town on a leisurely stroll and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many pubs. Your coach will pick you up again in Dartmouth. Spend the rest of the afternoon in Torquay or Plymouth. The Mayflower Steps on the shores of Plymouth Sound are an important historical site, marking the departure point of 102 passengers who set sail on the Mayflower in 1620. There is a plaque and a replica of the ship nearby to commemorate this historic emigration. Our tip: Visit the Plymouth Gin Distillery, one of the oldest gin distilleries in the world, and sample the famous gin.

Day 6: Through picturesque Devon and Dorset to Abbotsbury – 280 km - F/A
You leave the south-west along Dartmoor. About halfway along the route you reach Abbotsbury, which has hardly changed for centuries. The village is famous for its swan colony, which was founded by Benedictine monks around 1040 and is still home to over 600 birds today. This beautiful nature reserve is a paradise for bird and nature lovers and one of the few places where you can experience such a fascinating, overwhelming population of swans in their natural environment. In spring and summer, the Swanery is particularly enchanting when the swan couples raise their young and the area seems even more alive with small, fluffy chicks. The gentle movements of the swans, the breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and the view of Chesil Beach stretching majestically in the background offer numerous wonderful photo opportunities.
If you like, you can also visit the award-winning botanical gardens with exotic flora and a mild microclimate that allows plants from all over the world to thrive (optional).
If the weather is fine, it's worth taking a trip to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stretches over 150 kilometres and offers breathtaking cliff landscapes, hidden bays and fossil finds dating back to the time of the dinosaurs.

Day 7: Impressive cathedral and a mystical stone circle – 220 km - F/A
On your way to your last overnight stop, you will visit the enchanting town of Salisbury. The imposing cathedral, a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture, is particularly impressive. It houses the oldest surviving original scroll of the Magna Carta, a symbol of freedom and the rule of law. With its 170 metre high tower - the tallest of the British churches - it dominates the cityscape. The charming alleyways and market squares are lined with historic buildings that convey a sense of the city's long history.
From Salisbury, it is not far to the world-famous Stonehenge, the mystical stone circle and greatest archaeological enigma in the world. Its impressive layout, enormous size and precise alignment with astronomical phenomena have made Stonehenge a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exact meaning, age and purpose of the huge erected stones, some of which are over 4,000 years old, have not yet been clarified, which emphasises the mysterious aura of the site (optional).

Day 8: Farewell to Kent - F
The rural idyll of Kent is characterised by lush fields, orchards and vineyards. The county is proud of its agricultural heritage and produces a variety of local produce, including apples and cherries. Enjoy one last view of the chalk cliffs before you reach the mainland again in France and make your way home with many wonderful memories.

Leonardo Hotel Plymouth
The upper SRG middle-class hotel is centrally located in the heart of the charming seaside town and offers the perfect base for your holiday. The 247 modern rooms are tastefully decorated and feature amenities such as cosy beds, flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, a desk, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi. The hotel itself offers a variety of facilities, including a stylish restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as an inviting bar for relaxed evenings. A large coach park is available.