Cornwall & Cotswolds: Small Group 5-Day Tour from London

Summary

Stone circles, wild ponies, Cornish harbors and cream tea memories

You’ll travel from London through Stonehenge’s mystery, Dartmoor’s misty moors with wild ponies, Cornwall’s rugged harbors (and proper cream tea), then end among Bath’s ancient stones and Cotswold villages. Expect real local stories, salty air, plenty of laughs — and moments you’ll want to tuck away for later.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small standing at Stonehenge — it was freezing and windy, and someone’s scarf blew off into the grass. Our guide, Ben (who actually grew up near Salisbury), told us about the stones’ mysteries while I tried to warm my hands on a takeaway coffee. You could hear sheep in the distance. We wandered Salisbury after that; I ducked into a bakery for a pasty that was honestly too hot to eat right away. The cathedral’s spire just sort of loomed over everything — it’s hard not to stare.

The drive through Dartmoor felt like drifting into another century. Mist clung to the moors and we spotted those wild ponies — they really do just wander around. Tavistock was all crumbly stone buildings and friendly hellos; I finally tried Devonshire Cream Tea (the jam goes on first here, apparently). Li from our group laughed when I nearly dropped my scone in my tea. By afternoon we were winding along Cornwall’s coastline, with gulls screeching overhead in Polperro and that salty tang in the air.

St Michael’s Mount looked like something out of a storybook but smelled like seaweed and old stone inside. Later at Land’s End, I stood facing this wild Atlantic wind — you can’t help but think about how far it stretches west. Falmouth had this easygoing vibe; some of us wandered down to the harbor for fish & chips wrapped in paper, watching kids jump off the pier even though it was way too cold for swimming (at least for me).

The last day brought us to Bath — Roman Baths steaming quietly while rain tapped on ancient stone. In Castle Combe I got lost trying to find a shop that supposedly sold “the best fudge,” but honestly just walking those crooked lanes was enough. Five days felt both long and not nearly enough; there are still little flashes of light or laughter from that trip that pop into my head now and then.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Stonehenge, Salisbury & Jurassic Coast

• Depart London for Stonehenge
• Visit Stonehenge stone circle
• Travel to Salisbury
• Visit Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta
• Lunch in Salisbury city centre
• Travel to Durdle Door limestone arch

Day 2 — Dartmoor, Polperro & Charlestown

• Explore Dartmoor National Park scenery
• Stop in Tavistock for Devonshire Cream Tea
• Visit Polperro fishing village
• Visit Charlestown historic port

Day 3 — St Michael's Mount, Minack & Lands End

• Visit St Michael's Mount island
• Visit Minack Theatre
• Visit Lands End viewpoint
• Return to Falmouth for beach or museum

Day 4 — St Ives, Port Isaac & Tintagel

• Visit St Ives seaside town
• Visit Port Isaac 'Doc Martin' village
• Explore Tintagel and King Arthur castle

Day 5 — Bath & the Cotswolds

• Visit Roman Baths and Jane Austen Centre
• See Bath Georgian architecture
• Travel to Castle Combe village

Top questions

How many people are on this Cornwall & Cotswolds tour?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 16 passengers per group.

Does the tour include accommodation?

Yes, four nights’ en-suite accommodation are included in the price.

Where does the 5-day tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends in London.

Are meals included on this small-group tour?

No meals are included, but you’ll have time to try local foods during stops.

Is transportation provided throughout the trip?

Yes, transportation is by air-conditioned minibus for all five days.

What main attractions will we see?

You’ll visit Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Durdle Door, Dartmoor National Park, St Michael's Mount, Land's End, St Ives, Tintagel Castle, Bath (including Roman Baths), and villages in Cornwall & the Cotswolds.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children aged 10+ can join if accompanied by an adult.

Should I bring anything special for this trip?

Bring clothing for various weather conditions; each passenger may bring one suitcase (max 15kg) plus a carry-on item.

What’s included

Your journey includes transportation by air-conditioned minibus from London with a knowledgeable guide throughout five days; four nights’ en-suite accommodation are provided so you don’t have to worry about booking hotels yourself. Meals aren’t included but there are plenty of stops where you can grab local favorites like Cornish pasties or cream tea along the way before returning back to London at the end.