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The Eden Project.
An unforgettable
experience in an
epic location.
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Download one of our Newsletters to find out what the Classic team think of their favourite areas.
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View your personal itinerary of things to do, places to visit and where to eat on your holiday.
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Clovelly
A beautiful, unspoilt fishing village enveloped in green countryside. From Clovelly it is easy to take a boat trip across to Lundy Island, a pristine little wilderness just off the coast.
50.998
-4.399
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Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge stands at the head of the estuary, and is full of interesting lanes and passageways with specialist, often family run, shops.
50.287
-3.779
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Sennen
Sennen is the most westerly village in England, and the Blue Flag Whitesand Bay is a mile long stretch of golden sand, with plenty of rock pools at low tide. There is still crab and lobster potting from the cove.
50.079
-5.700
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Helston
Georgian town houses line the streets of Helston, giving it a stately air. Every May, the town hosts ‘Flora Day’, a May Day celebration which involves the famous ‘furry dance’ procession through the streets.
50.101
-5.275
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Porthleven
The shops and cafes of Porthleven cluster around its historic harbour in classic Cornish style and the village has a blissfully laid-back atmosphere.
50.086
-5.316
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Cadgwith
Tucked away on the tip of the wild Lizard peninsula, Cadgwith is a gorgeous harbour village with ‘chocolate box’ charm by the bucketful. Thatched cottages line the narrow streets with evocative names like ‘Kiddleywink’ and ‘Dolphin Cottage’. The friendly village pub, the Cadgwith Cove Inn, is steeped in history and makes a great place for an evening meal – much of the seafood on the menu is landed at the cove itself. Pop in on a Friday night and you might just find yourself joining in with the weekly gig by the Cadgwith Singers.
49.984
-5.182
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Dartmouth
Historically, Dartmouth was of strategic importance as a port used in the crusades of 1147 and 1190. Dominated by Britannia Royal Naval College, it has two fortified castles protecting the mouth of the River Dart. There are many historical buildings, a cobbled market place, shops, galleries, gourmet restaurants and delicatessens. National Trust Gardens, the South West Coast Path and clean beaches are nearby.
50.352
-3.582
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Plymouth
Plymouth is fast becoming a sleek, cosmopolitan destination with much to offer the visitor. The architectural eyesores of the 60s and 70s are steadily being torn down to be replaced by chic, contemporary buildings and the city is changing to accommodate great shopping, swanky bars, cafes and gourmet restaurants. The historic ‘Hoe’, the vast public space next to the water is a wonderful place to soak up the view across Plymouth Sound to Drake’s Island.
50.371
-4.134
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St Agnes
St Agnes lies in the heart of Cornwall’s mining heritage; all along the coast here you’ll see old mining engine houses rising from the cliffs. The steep and narrow streets here are lined with almost unbearably quaint, higgledy-piggledy cottages.
50.312
-5.203
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St Ives
Fringed with beaches, teeming with artists and packed with good places to eat.
50.211
-5.477
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Tavistock
Big by Dartmoor standards, Tavistock is a town that seems to have everything - fancy restaurants, a historic market, a cinema, lots of shops and some good attractions, too. Plenty to do here on a rainy day.
50.550
-4.145
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Totnes
An old market town with archetypal crooked, narrow lanes and quaint cottages. Totnes now has a slightly bohemian air, with lots of tempting delicatessens, eco-friendly shops and wholefood cafes.
50.432
-3.688
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Land's End
The beginning (or end) to many a charity walk, cycle or drive, Land’s End is England’s most westerly point. This iconic spot on the map is home to a theme park with all kinds of interactive displays and exhibitions, a farm where visitors can feed the animals and a small shopping village, but many people come simply to gaze out to sea from this dramatic, rocky piece of coastline.
50.064
-5.710
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Lyme Regis
Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as ‘The Cobb’ was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
50.725
-2.937
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Penzance
Not quite as firmly on the tourist trail as St Ives, Penzance has real character and is more down to earth. The Jubilee Pool, on the Promenade, is an enormous open-air, Art Deco-style lido, complete with sun terraces and cafe - it’s a great place to while away a sunny afternoon.
50.121
-5.541
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Newquay
Arguably the liveliest town on the north coast, Newquay caters for young revellers and families alike. Great surfing, lots of busy pubs and cafes and a hub for surf lifestyle shopping.
50.412
-5.081
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Padstow
Padstow is perhaps best known as the home of one of Britain’s best-loved celebrity chefs, Rick Stein. Alongside the many fabulous places to eat that Padstow boasts you’ll find unique shops, friendly pubs and a busy, fun atmosphere.
50.541
-4.944
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Abbotsbury
A perfect village of honey-coloured cottages, and home to the Swannery, where swans have lived for over 600 years.
50.665
-2.598
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Altarnun
Located on the edge of Bodmin Moor, Altarnun lies in one of Cornwall’s prettiest valleys and is perfectly located for exploration of the north Cornish coast and Dartmoor. The wild beauty of Bodmin Moor is right on the doorstep, with plenty of excellent walking and panoramic views from the many rocky tors that fill the skyline. Classic granite architecture dominates the village itself, including the rectory which is featured in Daphne du Maurier’s novel ‘Jamaica Inn’, and a 15th century packhorse bridge spans the river that runs through the village.
50.604
-4.512
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Axbridge
Nestled at the foot of the Mendip Hills, Axbridge is a lovely example of an ancient English market town, complete with a medieval square featuring well-preserved half-timbered period buildings. Pottering around the streets of Axbridge you’ll find plenty of friendly little cafes, galleries and unique shops to browse. Hop in the car and within a short drive you’ll be in the heart of the Mendips, a walker’s wonderland, whilst the stunning Cheddar Gorge, with its eerie caves and fascinating geology, is just a couple of miles down the road.
51.287
-2.811
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Bampton
Just outside Exmoor National Park, Bampton is everything you could hope for in a Devon town. Located entirely within a conservation area, Bampton’s streets are lined with historic listed buildings, giving the distinct feeling that you’ve stepped back in time. The town is famous for its flowers - having won the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition no less than 6 times, Bampton is a magnet for the green-fingered, who make a pilgrimage here during the summer months to marvel at the floral displays.
50.991
-3.487
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Barnstaple
One of north Devon’s largest towns, Barnstaple is a hive of activity all year round. The popular Pannier Market is good for a browse, while the Green Lanes shopping centre has many big high street retailers if you feel the urge to shop.
51.081
-4.057
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Bath
A World Heritage Site due to the splendour of its architecture, including the spectacular Roman baths, Bath draws visitors from around the globe. Although steeped in history, Bath is a thoroughly modern city, too, with fantastic shopping, excellent dining and great entertainment courtesy of a lively music scene and the legendary Theatre Royal. Compact yet with plenty of green spaces, this is a city that begs you to get out of the car and explore by foot to discover the hidden Georgian gems such as the Royal Crescent and Circus.
51.374
-2.366
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Beaminster
Beaminster sits at the head of the Britt Valley, through which flows the river of the same name. The countryside here is glorious and a stay in Beaminster would be incomplete without a stroll through the rolling hills that surround the town. For the history buff, playing ‘spot the listed building’ is great fun – even though Beaminster has been devastated by fire no less than three times, the town still lays claim to some 200 listed buildings. The highlight of Beaminster’s calendar is the Festival of Music and Visual Arts, a jamboree of musical, literary and artistic talent including many big names.
50.809
-2.740
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Bere Regis
If peace and tranquility are on the agenda, head for Bere Regis. Tucked away amidst woodland, ancient heaths and traditional watercress beds, Bere Regis was made famous by Thomas Hardy in his classic story ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ (he called it Kingsbere in the novel). Wander through the grounds of the imposing 15th century church and you might be tempted to say that little has changed since Hardy wrote about the village – the noise and rush of the 21st century seems conspicuous in its absence in Bere Regis.
50.755
-2.219
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Bideford
Just what you want in a seaside village - whitewashed cottages, higgledy-piggledy narrow lanes, a quaint harbour and plenty of cosy pubs and cafes to linger in.
51.016
-4.206
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Bigbury-on Sea
Huge expansive yellow sands, an enchanting island reached by foot at low tide and fat, juicy Bigbury Bay oysters – Bigbury-on-Sea has much to offer the visitor. Take a trip by sea tractor to Burgh Island, where Noel Coward and Agatha Christie attended elegant parties in the 1920s, hire a surfboard and catch some waves, walk the coast path or simply sit back and enjoy the stunning views - Bigbury is at the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
50.284
-3.894
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Blandford Forum
One of Dorset’s larger market towns, Blandford Forum beautifully demonstrates the Georgian approach to architecture with wide, elegant streets and a large, square market place. Four museums, all kinds of shops and plenty of cafes and restaurants – you could happily lose days mooching about the town. There are some great opportunities for days out, too; the Dorset coast is a short drive away, enabling easy exploration of local gems like Durdle Door, Studland Bay and Chesil Beach.
50.856
-2.163
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Bodmin
A busy old market town, Bodmin has some very interesting architecture, including the notorious Bodmin Jail.
50.472
-4.717
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Boscastle
One of the few sheltered harbours on the north coast, Boscastle became famous in 2004 due to the devastating floods that swept through the village. The community has recovered remarkably well, and Boscastle is once more a thriving resort and a lovely village to visit.
50.692
-4.697
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