Booked or thinking of coming to Plymouth for your UK holiday? Let us worry about the organisation and planning for you, just follow our sample 5-day itinerary which allows you to explore the best of Devon & Cornwall from either Elliot Terrace or Royal William Yard. This itinerary combines coastal walks, national parks, sea swimming, local delicacies and golden beaches, sound good? Keep reading!
Day 1- Plymouth
View along the Hoe
Welcome to Devon! We hope you are enjoying the views of the Hoe from your Elliot Terrace balcony, or the contemporary and trendy courtyard and harbour view at Royal William Yard. In case you have had a long drive to reach South Devon, we have a relaxing day in store for you that allows you to explore the local area and re-energise. Have a read of our 7 Reasons to Visit Plymouth blog to get recommendations for the local area.
Royal William Yard – Aerial View
Spending the day in Plymouth has an abundance of opportunities. If the sun is shining head to the Hoe for coastal views, and continue to walk to the Barbican for some delightful fish and chips. Check out Royal William Yard in the afternoon for eclectic and boutique shops, as well as al fresco dining and drinking options. If the weather requires more indoor activities, don’t fret, as Plymouth has a wide array of rainy day options. The Box is a new hub of culture with art, music and exhibitions on offer which can keep a whole family entertained, or perhaps you want to check out Plymouth Gin school to make your own gin to kickstart your holiday?
Day 2 – Whitsand bay
Cawsand passenger ferry drop off!
You can see Cornwall from our Plymouth apartments, meaning you can explore not just one county but two! You can either drive or hop on the passenger ferry over to Cawsand very easily. Kingsand and Cawsand are quaint, adjacent villages on the Rame peninsula which make a memorable day trip choice from your Plymouth apartment.
Rame Head
Meander through the cobbled villages, spend the day on Whitsand Bay, a gorgeous and seemingly endless white-sand beach, and follow the coastal path to Rame Head which offers panoramic views (especially at sunset!). The options are varied in North Cornwall, you can choose to surf, swim, sleep, snack…whatever you feel like!
Day 3 – dartmoor
You don’t know wilderness, until you have been to the National Park of Dartmoor! Just half an hour away from Plymouth you hit the vast, green, rugged moors. As your car winds through the open, meandering roads, enjoy 360 degree views of grasslands, streams, granite tors, wild ponies, reservoirs and gorse. Whether you’re an intrepid hiker or after an easy amble up a tor, there are hundreds of Dartmoor walks to suit all abilities and preferences. Read our blog ‘A Day on Dartmoor’ for some hiking ideas. However, hiking is not all there is to do on the moors! You can swim or kayak in the gushing rivers, take your road bike for a spin, or just tuck into a wholesome Sunday roast in a quintessentially British pub.
Day 4 – tintagel / padstow
Tintagel – 1 hour drive from Plymouth!
If you’re ok to drive a fair distance, exploring North Cornwall for a day is so worthwhile, and may be your favourite day of the trip! If you wake up and have an early breakfast, get on the road at 9am and you can be in Tintagel at 10.15am for the first stop on your Kernow road trip. As an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, you can visit the castle ruins, stroll down to the secluded beach, admire the new engineering masterpiece (the bridge), and navigate along the coast path while enjoy the dramatic settings.
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Take the photo, have a coffee, explore for an hour and back in the car to the next stop of Polzeath…
Padstow Estuary
If you like surfing, Polzeath is a fantastic surf beach. We also really recommend the Polzeath to Rock coastal walk – it is flat and extremely scenic. Follow the headland round to the estuary and lap up the huge stretches of Caribbean style beaches between Rock and Padstow, with a backdrop of impressive summer houses. Once you have completed the circular walk, drive over to Padstow (30 minutes away) which is your third and final stop of the trip. Head to Rick Stein’s and get a fish and chips like no other from the renowned chef, potter around the sleepy fishing town and head to one of the beautiful beaches (Hawker’s bay is a personal favourite).
Polzeath – Rock walk views
Drive back to Plymouth – 1 hour 20 minutes from Padstow.
Day 5 -mothecombe beach
Credit: @simskeir
As yesterday was quite a long day that required driving, today we have chosen somewhere closer to your flat to give the designated driver a break! Mothecombe is a sheltered and quiet beach which never attracts the crowds despite being idyllic and one of the top Devonian beaches. Head to Jacka Bakery in Plymouth, get a packed lunch with their homemade bakes and take it to the beach to relax. This sandy beach is nestled in the luscious green countryside, and is great for getting stuck into a good book while sunbathing, or trying out windsurfing if you have some energy. There is a café nearby if you need extra refreshments or hydration.
Your stay in Plymouth has come to an end! We hope you enjoyed the itinerary, and this is by no means an all encompassing week, there are a multitude of other day trips on offer from Plymouth. Follow our social channels for more destination inspiration and the latest accommodation offers.
If this itinerary takes your fancy, let us handle your accommodation for you! Check out our Plymouth apartments on offer, and get in touch if you have any questions.
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