South West England Exmoor England Pretty Cotswold villages, Somerset Cream Teas, old English pubs, this hiking tour in the South West of England has it all!  We spend a few days in the Cotswolds, before moving to the Mendip Hills near Cheddar, and then to Dunster on Exmoor National Park, ending the tour on the Cornwall / Devon border. Tour Highlights - Exmoor National Park - Dartmoor National Park - Fascinating geology of Southwest England - A visit to Dunster Castle - Woodlands, Moorlands, Heathlands - Beautiful Cotswold Villages - A visit to the Abbey Gardens at Malmesbury - Walks on the stunning North Cornwall coast - Lovely cream teas in typical English teashops Walking Tour Meeting: Bristol Airport:   Bristol Transfer: Bristol Trip Brochure (PDF)

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Shortly after setting off from Bristol we will stop to walk at the pretty Cotswold village of Castle Combe. We begin on the edge of the village and then travel through the heart of what is one of England’s prettiest villages with old streets of Cotswold stone cottages and a river flowing though the main street. We then climb steadily along the banks of By Brook to open countryside and a riverside lunch break.
Afterwards we will make a slight detour on our journey to the heart of the Cotswolds to visit the Abbey Gardens in Malmesbury.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 6 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.
Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
Overnight: Amberley, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Cotswold
The Cotswolds in Gloucestershire are our next destination: idyllic English villages nestling in unspoilt English scenery, an unforgettable part of the country. Our expert guide will keep you enchanted with natural history and folklore.
Return to our Cotswold hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 8 miles long, there is an alternative option of just relaxing and strolling from the Hotel in your own time. The hotel is located in a beautiful setting.
Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)
Overnight: Amberley, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Mendip Hills Hike
Our destination today is the Mendip Hills of South Somerset. We travel up through Cheddar village (yes, the cheese really is made here… traditionally it is matured in the Caves) and Cheddar Gorge. We then begin our walk at Burrington Combe where the Reverend Toplady was inspired to write the hymn “Rock of Ages”. We trek up through a valley, then woodlands and fields, and eventually out on to the open moorland of the Mendip Hills.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 7 miles long, there is an alternative option of just visiting Cheddar and the Caves. Cheese-making demonstrations available.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Overnight: Axbridge, Somerset
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Quantock Hills
A typical Quantock walk of open heath, moorland and deep combes (valleys), with views out across Bridgwater Bay to Wales and the coast of Somerset. Beginning at Holford and walking through some beautiful beech and oak woodlands, we then take a couple of long climbs with fine views to reward us at the top. If the timing is right, we will round off this lovely day with a steam railway journey from Williton to Dunster. Our next two nights are spent in a hotel built in the 15th century in the beautiful village of Dunster on the edge of the Exmoor National Park.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 7 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Overnight: Dunster, Exmoor, South Somerset
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Porlock to Bossington
Coast, woodland, streams, chocolate-box villages, moor and heathland. We begin at the ‘Lorna Doone’ village of Porlock and continue out to a pebble beach at Bossington. The roads through this village wind between ancient thatched cottages and lead us on to the next village of Allerford. We pass through the National Trust hamlet of Selworthy and ultimately climb up through the woods to the viewpoint at Selworthy Beacon. We eventually make our way down to the Southwest Coast Path at Hurlstone Point.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 9 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.
Walking Distance 9 miles (14.5 km)
Overnight: Dunster, Exmoor, South Somerset
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Lyne Gorge to Watersmeet
We will set off today for the Devon / Cornwall border. En route we stop at the Exmoor Village of Lynmouth. The walk along the River Lyn is outstanding and unforgettable. We follow the river for the first half of the walk, then we can take a break and perhaps a “Somerset Cream Tea” at the cafe at Watersmeet where the River Hoaroak meets the River Lyn. We climb steadily to reach the high moor with magnificent sea views, then winding our way back down again to Lynmouth. We then travel off to the Devon / Cornwall border where we spend the next three nights at Home Farm in the hamlet of Welcombe.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 8 miles long, there is an alternative option of just 2-3 miles available.
Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)
Overnight: Welcombe, Devon / Cornwall Border
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Welcombe to Morwenstow
Welcombe farm is located in 500 acres of conservation land and there are rare species of flora and fauna to be found. We can enjoy fantastic coastal views and woodland throughout the walk. We then reach Morwenstow, the home of Robert Stephen Hawker: a famous 18th century poet. We can visit the magnificent church dating back to 16th century. It’s a pretty village with tea rooms, and traditional thatched pub reputed to be haunted! The walk back takes us via woodland filled with some of the more unusual varieties of orchids and wild flowers. We may also see rare butterflies and dragonflies.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Overnight: Welcombe, Devon / Cornwall Border
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Clovelly Fishing Village
Clovelly is something a little different: a beautiful little 13th century fishing village, we walk into it via the main estate grounds which are a stunning setting (rather like something from Jane Austen) with views of and stunning coastal vistas. When we arrive at the village it’s a walk down the cobbled stoned streets into the heart of the village which is another chocolate-box setting: fishing cottages and a little community set against the backdrop of the coast and harbour. The walk back is through the estate grounds and woodlands, lots of local wildlife as we go through a pheasant reserve.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Overnight: Welcombe, Devon / Cornwall Border
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Welcombe to Hartland
Today we walk from Welcombe to Hartland taking in the Hartland Quay Shipwreck Museum, Hartland Abbey and St Nectan’s Church.
Alternative Walk Options: the full walk is 7 miles, there is an option of just walking 2-3 miles.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Overnight: Welcombe, Devon / Cornwall Border
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Departure
This morning we will return to Bristol to end our journey of England’s beautiful West Country.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                               Plymouth area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	48	48	51	55	60	64	68	68	64	59	53	50
Average Low Temperature (°F)	39	38	40	42	47	52	56	56	53	49	43	40
Average High Temperature (°C)	9	9	11	13	15	18	20	20	18	15	12	10
Average Low Temperature (°C)	4	4	5	6	9	11	13	13	11	9	6	5
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	15	12	11	9	9	8	8	9	9	12	14	14

Source: NOAA


Seasons
With temperatures starting to rise, lambs and foals appear across the landscape, the fields full of bursts of yellow daffodils and gorse, Spring is when this corner of England really shines! The air is fresh, the days are longer and being outdoors is glorious.
Early Summer brings those early morning mists which burn off to give a really lovely clear day, perfect for being outdoors.
In the Autumn, the moor becomes a riot of colour, with the heather a carpet of purple and the gorse blooming bright yellow.
There is something incredibly special about crisp and clear Winter days. It is such a great time to explore the dramatic coast or head out onto the vast sweeping open moorland. The glorious woodlands in the river valleys take on a different character once the leaves have fallen from the trees, and there can be few more satisfying sounds as they crunch underfoot after a frost.

We travel from one location to the next on a comfortable LDV mini-coach with 14 high-backed seats (rarely filled to full capacity so there is plenty of room to spread out). The height of the vehicle allows for excellent views over hedgerows, stone walls, etc. Your luggage is stored inside, not on a roof rack, so there is no risk of it getting wet. We spend from one to three nights in each area and walk the best parts before moving on to our next stop. When we travel between locations we make plenty of allowances for "comfort" stops and coffee / tea breaks. Our vehicles are fitted with stereo systems so you may like to bring along a music tape or two for the driving journeys.

The following items are essential:
- Good strong waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Comfortable hiking trousers (jeans are not recommended at all as they are too hot in fine weather and too heavy if they get wet)
- Small day rucksack for lunch, drinks, coat etc.
- Water Bottle
- Gloves (even in summer it can get really cool in some hilly and coastal areas)
- Warm Hat
- Personal toiletries and medication
- General warm clothing such as sweaters, track suit bottoms (sweat pants), fleece jacket, etc.
- Sun cream / sun block / after sun cream
- Spending money in Euros (due to the remote nature of our accommodations, it is sometimes difficult to get to banks and cash machines).
- Credit cards are accepted everywhere.

The following items are suggestions:
- Shorts
- Waterproof trousers
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Flask (Thermos)
- Walking pole / stick
- Torch (flashlight)
- Book
- Alarm clock
- Drawing / painting equipment
- Swimsuit
- Insect repellent
- Your favourite remedy for blisters. (I highly recommend a product called “Compeed” which is available in most pharmacists. In the USA and Canada it may be sold under a different brand name. It is manufactured by Johnson and Johnson) 

(Note: Only one suitcase per person please) 

 
Cell phone rental is available and can be pre-booked through www.rentaphone-ireland.com 

If you are travelling from the USA you may wish to check out unlocking your cell phone to use and Irish SIM card. Check out www.unlockitfree.com or  www.bilemo.com/unlock  

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Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
All our accommodations have been carefully selected. We have chosen locations of outstanding natural beauty, so that you can enjoy the best of Irish rural life and scenery. You will enjoy top quality accommodation in small, family run guesthouses and hotels whilst being charmed by the hospitable and friendly hosts.
We stay in small hotels, guest houses, farmhouses, B & B's and occasionally castles.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Amberley
Night 3: Accommodation in Axbridge
Night 4 & 5: Accommodation in Dunster
Night 6 to 9: Accommodation in Welcombe

Room Occupancy
All rooms are en suite twin, double or single. Singles are available on request for a small supplement.


Meals:
All meals are included in your package except for dinners on day 4 and 5.

We take packed lunches for our lunch breaks during our walks. These are provided from our accommodation or from local delis.

Our evenings are a time for reviewing the day's activities and shared experiences on the hills. Evening meals are taken either in the places where we are staying or in local restaurants. You will be pleasantly surprised at the fine quality meals you will enjoy on your tour.

Tack:
Horses:
Pace:
Level:		(0 out of 5)
Riders:		Min 5	Max 12

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Note

(a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.



Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to six months.

Visa Note

(a) Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements