Devon/Cornwall Weekend Getaway

[The Marching Onion]

Wife and I have a rare weekend off together next week so after checking the weather forecast, we've decided to descend on the south west. Never been before on 2 wheels so should be interesting.

Will be travelling down Friday evening and back Sunday night. Happy to stay in 2 different places to see more. Doing my usual trick of throwing the wife on the train to somewhere like tiverton then collecting her (She gets bored easily on motorways).

Would love to hear routes, places or anything can could enhance the 2 days. We do like the surrounding area and views rather than chasing twisties.

Thanks

 

[Jeremy]

This is my default coast and moors run. Scenic, relaxing with plenty of places to stop.


The Warren House Inn at Postbridge and The Larder at Yelverton make for good stops.

 

[Snaf]

In no particular order, Hartland Quay, Cape Cornwall, Start Point, King Harry Ferry, Porlock toll road, Portland, Tamar ferry, River Dart lower ferry, Jurassic Coast are all places we head towards living in Devon. The list is endless.
The honey pots will most likely be busy with school back and pensioners out in force in St Ives, Marazion, Mevagissey and St Agnes, if they are busy the villages either side won't be. Devon and the centre of Cornwall will be a lot less busy.
Bridgwater for the train, cross the Quantocks and on to Exmoor, Tiverton leaves you with the North Devon link road, more M5 or heading back on yourself for East Devon/Dorset.

 

[Devon]

First day pick the wife up from Tiverton Parkway and take a leisurely ride to Minehead, then take the Coast Road to Porlock and on to Lynton and Lynmouth. Spend some time at Valley of the Rocks and Mother Meldrums Tea Room. The scenery and roads warrant some time stopping along the route like walking the short steep foot path to Watersmeet near Lynmouth.
Second day head towards Saunton, Croyde though Barnstaple to Westward Ho and then on to Hartland Quay and then Bude and Widemouth. Lots of amazing places to call in and see on top of the ones I have mentioned.

 

[Wapping]

Me?

I’d pop the question into Google: 10 best things to see and do in Devon and Cornwall.

I’d then pick the ones that, time and distance permitting, interested me most. I’d then join them up using a basic request to Google Maps. As to where to stay? I’d look at the route that Google Maps had proffered up. I’d find a spot that suited me, then ask Google and / or Booking.com to suggest some locations around there. I’d then pick the one I liked best.

Come on, give it a go. You can do it, I promise!

 

[oblertone]

The North Devon link Road (A361) is not the only route from Tiverton Parkway. Head into Tiverton and pick up the B3137 to South Molton; alternatively the A396 towards Exmoor, both are preferable to the Link Road which will be heaving with shed-draggers.

 

[Fireflyer]

Ok, you have not been on bike before but have been before in the car?

So, to save going over old ground, which usual suspects have you seen and are not looking to revisit.
Are you and Mrs TMO wanting to do a little walking off the bike to see things, or keeping it to riding to scenic stops along the way for breaks and eateries.

You’d have to check the rail routes that suit you best in terms of times/cost but unless you are thinking of taking a route similar to @Devon’s suggestion I’d maybe suggest Okehampton station as your pick up point. (Easy connection via Exeter)
It’s a little further towards Cornwall, right on the edge of Dartmoor so you are straight into great countryside with a lot more options to starburst from there.

With the limited time you have available the place you determine as your start point will dictate suggestions from that point

P.S whichever start station you choose don’t forget the return station doesn’t have to be the same as that will also restrict your route working your way back up.

 

[grantmac]

If you want a nice out of the way place to stay I can recommend “The Who’d have Thought It”. Nice pub with three rooms in the tiny hamlet of Milton Combe. Border with Cornwall on the south coast. Getting there is not for the faint hearted on 2 or 4 wheels as it is in a tight valley. Stayed there a couple of times. Great place if you want peace and quiet. As to the routes leave that up to you based on what you would like to see but below link to the route we did a few years back round trip from said pub might help. Less sightseeing more enjoying the roads

Motorbike Tours

The site for Motorcycle Touring in Europe uing Garmin Basecamp

www.roadtracks.co.uk

 

[Jeremy]

If you want a nice out of the way place to stay I can recommend “The Who’d have Thought It”. Nice pub with three rooms in the tiny hamlet of Milton Combe. Border with Cornwall on the south coast. Getting there is not for the faint hearted on 2 or 4 wheels as it is in a tight valley. Stayed there a couple of times. Great place if you want peace and quiet. As to the routes leave that up to you based on what you would like to see but below link to the route we did a few years back round trip from said pub might help. Less sightseeing more enjoying the roads

Completely agree, great recommendation.

 

[grantmac]

Thanks. You been as well?
Love the place

 

[Flintlock]

Slapton Sands & the Operation Tiger memorial
Blackpool Sands
Dartmouth
All close to each other - holidays down there a couple of times in recent years



Beautiful part of England

 

[CJ.]

Escape to Lynton & Lynmouth — North Devon’s Coastal Heart of Exmoor

Breathe the sea air, ride the cliff railway, wander cobbled streets and hidden trails — discover North Devon’s twin coastal villages at the heart of Exmoor.

visitlyntonandlynmouth.com

Mrs Cj and I spent a great weekend here recently

 

[tjmouse]

Might be a bit far for the Saturday but I did this on my South West Bank holiday a few years ago - great loop:

 

[DevonAl]

First day pick the wife up from Tiverton Parkway and take a leisurely ride to Minehead, then take the Coast Road to Porlock and on to Lynton and Lynmouth. Spend some time at Valley of the Rocks and Mother Meldrums Tea Room. The scenery and roads warrant some time stopping along the route like walking the short steep foot path to Watersmeet near Lynmouth.
Second day head towards Saunton, Croyde though Barnstaple to Westward Ho and then on to Hartland Quay and then Bude and Widemouth. Lots of amazing places to call in and see on top of the ones I have mentioned.

All of the above, also some nice roads across Dartmoor, Two bridges Hotel nr Princetown for a lunch stop, North Cornwall, Padstow, St Ives, St Agnes are nice, South coast, Fowey, Falmouth, Mousehole, mevagissey, St Michael’s mount, and many more, 3 days isn’t enough!!

 

[mike wright]

If you are heading out across the moors towards Princetown in the 40mph limit the last 3 times ive been across there's been a speed camera van set up.
Normally from Princetown to Yelverton along the long straight across the moor. Never used to see much traffic let alone a camera van

 

[oblertone]

They introduced a blanket 40mph limit on Dartmoor a few years ago to try and reduce the number of animals killed or injured.

 

[Santa-2512]

They introduced a blanket 40mph limit on Dartmoor a few years ago to try and reduce the number of animals killed or injured.

They'll do still walk in front of cars. They aren't that bright unfortunately x