The Adventures of Debbie Dimples - The UK - England - South West Peninsula

South West Penninsula

Back in 2020 here in the UK, after months or being under lockdown due to Covid-19, we were all given a few months of freedom. In those few months of freedom, the staycation boomed! I decided to go on an adventure for my own staycation in August 2020 down to the South West Peninsula of England. I liked the trip so much, I did the same again in August 2021! The South West Peninsula is the area of England between the Bristol Channel to the north and the English Channel to the south. It is part of the South West region of England, and includes the counties of Cornwall, Devon, and (depending on its precise definition) all or part of the counties of Somerset and Dorset. My trips mainly consisted of seeing Cornwall, Devon, with brief visits to Somerset, Bath, Bristol, and Dorset. I have compiled a list of where I managed to visit, and want to visit in the future in the South West Peninsula region.

Cornwall

Cornwall is the jewel in the crown of the South West of England, and it's easy to see why. Cornwall is home to the most spectacular beaches and most enchanting coastal villages. It's famous for sunshine, Cornish pasties, cream tea and the surfer vibes. I have visited Cornwall on a number of occasions, most recently in August 2020 and August 2021 as part of my staycation road trips touring the South West of England.

Mousehole

Mousehole is a historic, picturesque fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall, just a few miles from Penzance. I stayed in Mousehole for 2 nights in August 2020.

The Old Pilchard Works, Mousehole

I stayed at the The Old Pilchard Works in Mousehole for 2 nights in August 2020. The Old Pilchard Works is a charming little bed and breakfast, situated right in the heart of the village, near the harbour.

St Ives

The picturesque fishing village of St Ives is one of the most popular seaside holiday destinations in the country. St Ives is an enchanting mix of sunshine, art galleries, museums and fantastic beaches.

Mutton Cove

Mutton Cove, just past Godrevy head, is home to a large colony of Grey seals, which can be seen throughout the year.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is a sanctuary for injured seals, and is owned by The SEA LIFE Trust. I visited the sanctuary to get a closer look at the seals.

Newquay

Newquay is one of the most popular sea side resorts in England, and it's easy to see why. The town is home to an array of expensive beachfront homes, beautiful sandy beaches, chic cafes, and surf wear shops. I spent 2 nights in Newquay during my 2021 road trip.

Fistral Beach

Half a mile west of Newquay, Fistral Beach is considered to be the UK's best beach for surfing. Fistral Beach area is a trendy, upmarket part of Newquay, and is home to many expensive beachfront homes. The Fistral Beach Bar was the perfect spot for pizza, tater tots and a drink whilst overlooking the beach.

Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa

Directly overlooking Fistral Beach, the Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa is a luxury 4 star hotel with the best views in Newquay. I stayed at the Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa for 2 nights in August 2021.

Lusty Glaze Beach

A privately-owned cove tucked away on the north Cornish coast, which is home to a beach side hotel, restaurant, event and wedding venue.

Crantock Beach

Crantock Beach is a fabulous sandy beach with a huge expanse of sand at low tide.

What I missed out on........

If I were to take another trip to Cornwall, I would like to visit the Lusty Glaze again for an event, such as Ibiza Classics on the Beach. I would like to stay at the Scarlet Hotel and Carbis Bay Hotel. I would also visit the villages of Port Isaac and Polperro, and a number of attractions, such as St Michael's Mount, the Minack Theatre, the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and Tintagel Castle. No visit to Cornwall would be complete without a trip to a beach, and I'd like to see Porthcurno Beach on my next trip.

Scarlet Hotel

The Scarlet Hotel is a luxury design hotel in Cornwall. The main feature of the hotel is its unique beachfront spa.

Carbis Bay Hotel

The Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate is a luxury 5-star hotel with privately-owned Blue Flag beach, elegant dining and superb spa facilities.

Lusty Glaze Events

The Lusty Glaze is home to a number of music events throughout the year. I would like to attend one of the Ibiza Classics on the Beach events at some point.

Port Isaac

Port Isaac is a picturesque, traditional fishing village with a vibrant local community in north Cornwall, and is home to the TV series 'Doc Martin'.

Polperro

Polperro is a picture-perfect fishing village on the South Cornwall coast.

Porthcurno Beach

With is perfect white sand, Porthcurno Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Cornwall.

Minack Theatre

The Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre, constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea. The theatre is at Porthcurno, four miles from Land's End in Cornwall, England.

St Michael's Mount

St Michael's Mount is located 3 miles east of Penzance, and is widely known as one of the treasures of Cornwall.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a popular tourist attraction which is located near Mevagissey.

The Eden Project

The Eden Project is an educational visitor attraction, which is home to the largest indoor rainforest in the world.

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle is a historic site which was the birthplace of King Arthur. The castle ruins are situated on the clifftops of North Cornwall.

Devon

Rivalling Cornwall, Devon has some of the most beautiful beaches and coastal villages in England. However, it's not just the coast that Devon is famous for, Devon is also home to both Dartmoor National Park, and part of Exmoor National Park. Both Dartmoor and Exmoor are home to an abundance of wildlife, moorland and woodland. I stayed in Newton Abbott (just on the outskirts of Dartmoor National Park) during my first visit to Devon as a solo traveller in 2020. I visited the trendy village of Salcombe during my trip, along with Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. My second trip to Devon in 2021 was with my family. We stayed in a lodge in Axminster, and visited Exmouth, Torquay and the Jurassic Coast town of Lyme Regis (which is in the nearby neighbouring county of Dorset).

Anran @ Tidwell Farm, Newton Abbott

Located on the border of Dartmoor National Park, the Anran @ Tidwell Farm is a charming guesthouse and wedding venue in rural Devon. I stayed at the Anran for 2 nights as a solo traveller in 2020. The converted barn accomadation was impeccable. My luxury suite included both a four poster bed and roll top bath in the bedroom. After a long day travelling, it was nice to take a relaxing bath and make the most of the luxury Molton Brown toiletries. The farm is home an honesty shop for all your cooking requirements, a small lake, and some resident chickens and alpacas.

Salcombe and East Portlemouth/Mill Bay

Salcombe is an iconic seaside town renowned for its picturesque harbour, turquoise water and sun-soaked beaches. The village is located in the South Hams, an affluent area of Devon, known for its outstanding natural beauty. When visiting Salcombe, you can take a ferry over to East Portlemouth and Mill Bay which is just across the water. The beach and the view of Salcombe are much more picturesque from across the estuary at Mill Bay.

Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor National Park is a vast moorland in the county of Devon, famous for its wild Dartmoor ponies, woodland and rugged landscape. I visited Dartmoor to see the wild ponies on my trip in 2020. I managed to spot some ponies located near to Yelverton.

Cholwell Riding Stables

During my trip to Devon in 2020, I booked a pony trek over Dartmoor with Cholwell Riding Stables. I wasn't very lucky with the weather, but the trek was really well organised and great fun.

Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park is a vast moorland area located in both Somerset and North Devon. Exmoor is famous for its Exmoor ponies, heather, woodland and dramatic coastline. I drove to Winsford Hill on my trip in 2020 to photograph the wild ponies.

Lynton and Lynmouth

The picturesque twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are located in the middle of the rugged Exmoor coastline. Lynmouth sits at sea level, while Lynton sits higher up. Both towns are quaint and full of narrow lanes, independent shops and incredible views. Lynton and Lynmouth are famous for the Cliff Railway - the water powered funicular which joins the two villages. I had a brief visit to Lynmouth during my trip to Devon in 2020.

Exmouth

Exmouth is a colourful, vibrant town, known for its expansive sandy beach and charming cafes. Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant was the best spot in Exmouth for sunset drinks. I visited Exmouth during my trip in 2021.

Torquay

Torquay is a traditional seaside town, which embodies the quintessential charm of the English Riviera. I visited Torquay during my trip to Devon in 2021.

Knightheyes Court

Knightshayes Court is a Victorian country house near Tiverton, Devon, England, designed by William Burges for the Heathcoat-Amory family. I visited Knightheyes Court on a past trip to Devon.

What I missed out on........

As with every trip, there is always something I didn't have time to see. If I were to visit Devon in the future, I would like to stay at the Harbour Hotel & Spa in Salcombe, and at the Beach Cove Coastal Retreat near Ilfracombe. I would also plan a visit to the village of Clovelly.

Harbour Hotel & Spa, Salcombe

With its prime position overlooking the Salcombe Estuary, the Harbour Hotel was named one of the UK's best hotels. I would like to stay at the Harbour Hotel if I take another trip down to Devon.

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat, Hele Bay

The Beach Cove Coastal Retreat is a stylish cluster of beach huts, overlooking Hele Bay, Ilfracombe.

Clovelly

Clovelly is an enchanting, picturesque fishing village, famous for donkeys, sledges and its historic harbour. The village is frequently listed as one of the most instagrammable villages in the UK.

Dorset

I've not experienced much of the county of Dorset. We took a brief visit into the town of Lyme Regis whilst staying in the neighbouring county of Devon, during our family holiday back in 2021. Dorset is famous Dorset is famous for the Jurassic Coast, a long stretch on the English Channel where the cliffs contain many fossils, and rock formations show millions of years of geological history.

Lyme Regis

Known as the 'pearl of Dorset', Lyme Regis is a delightful little town famed for its characterful Victorian houses and a coastline packed with fossils. I visited Lyme Regis with family in 2021 during out trip to the South West. We went to the local fossil museum, the beach, and we had a fish and chip lunch.

What I missed out on........

I only managed to see one village in Dorset during my trip in August 2021. If I get to take a trip down to Dorset in the future, I would like to stay at the Nici Hotel, visit Sandbanks and see Durdle Door.

The Nici Hotel

The Nici Hotel is Bornemouth's coolest addition – giving Miami vibes on the Dorset coast.

Sandbanks

Sandbanks is an affluent neighbourhood in Poole, Dorset. It's home to the iconic Sandbanks Beach.

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is an extremely popular beauty spot.

Somerset

Somerset is famous for being one of the most haunted counties in England. It's also well know for being the home of the Glastonbury Festival and Cheddar cheese. I have visited Somerset (as a teenager) with my sister for a horse riding holiday in Exmoor. I also stopped off in Somerset on my way to Devon and Cornwall in both 2020 and 2021.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a small, picturesque village within the rolling Mendip Hills in Somerset. The village is famous for its gorge, caves and cheese. Being a lover of cheese, it goes without saying that I visited Cheddar for a Cheddar rarebit during my trip in 2020.

Tynings Farm Riding Centre

Whilst I was in Cheddar, I booked a pony trek with Tynings Farm Riding Centre. I rode a wonderful horse called Minty on our trek.

Bath

Bath is a city in Somerset, England, known for and named after its Roman-built baths. Bath is a picturesque city. Most of Bath's buildings are Georgian in style, and made from the local, golden-coloured, Bath Stone. Some of the most photographed architecture in Bath includes Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and the Royal Crescent. I visited Bath for 2 nights in August 2021.

Z Hotel

On my visit to Bath, I stayed at the budget-friendly Z Hotel, which is located in the heart of the city.

The Fashion Museum

The Fashion Museum Bath is one of the world's great museum collections of historic and contemporary dress.

Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein

In 1816, whilst living in Bath, Mary Shelley wrote much of the world's first science fiction novel, Frankenstein. The Mary Shelley's House od Frankenstein is a museum full of intriguing oddities and rare items that document Frankenstein as a cultural sensation.

The Jane Austin Centre

The Jane Austen Centre features a permanent exhibition that tells the story of Bath's most famous resident, the author Jane Austen.

Thermae Bath Spa

The Thermae Bath Spa is an award winning, luxury spa in the heart of the city. The main feature of the Thermae Bath Spa is its spectacular rooftop pool, which provides the best views of Bath.

Roman Baths

The Roman Baths are well-preserved thermae in the city of Bath, Somerset, England. A temple was constructed on the site between 60 and 70 AD in the first few decades of Roman Britain. Its presence led to the development of the small Roman urban settlement known as Aquae Sulis around the site.

Bristol

Bristol is situated on the border of Somerset and Gloucestershire, and it is the largest city in the South West region. Many would refer to Bristol as Bath's younger, cooler sister. The city is famous for its art and music culture. I have visited Bristol on two occasions in the past, to see a good friend.

What I missed out on........

A recurring theme throughout all of my trips is that I did not have time to see everything I wanted to see. England may be a small country, but there is certainly a lot still to see. If I am to take another trip down to Somerset in the future, I would like to visit Dunster Castle, and experience Glastonbury Festival.

Dunster Castle

Dunster Castle is situated overlooking the medieval village of Dunster, just on the border of Exmoor National Park.

Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury Festival located on Worthy Farm, Somerset, and is the largest music and performing arts festival in the world.

Here are just some of the places I have visited and recommend, or would like to visit in the future. As always, there are many more wonderful places to stay at and visit which I will have missed. I welcome any recommendations.

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