Cornwall has been somewhere I have wanted to go for quite some time. I had heard nothing but great things about it, and I am so glad I finally got to plan a trip when the lockdown restrictions lifted. The southern coast is so beautiful that it didn’t even feel like I was still in England. Since the drive to Land’s End from my house in Thetford is 7+ hours, I decided to break up my trip and stop in Dorset for two days on the way there and Bristol for one night on the way back. I also stopped in Oxford on my last day to break up the drive even more. This was such a fabulous decision since all of this driving can get so tiring. I didn’t realize how spread out the Cornwall region was until planning out the trip. One of the first things I had to figure out is where to make my Cornwall “home base.” A lot of people recommend St. Ives or Newquay, but I decided to go with the Land’s End area since it was closest to my most looked forward to attractions: Minack Theatre and St. Michael’s Mount. I do not regret this decision! I thought it was a great location 🙂 My trip lasted 7 nights/8 days, but if you want more time to relax and see all the sights, you could easily stay longer. You could also do Cornwall in around 4-5 days if you don’t stay anywhere else on the way there or back. Tips Bring lots of coins for parking. I probably spent about £30 or more in change on parking throughout the trip. I was very thankful that I brought my coin cup with me. Some parking lots accept card, but most do not. They do not take bills or return change. Book attractions in advance. Since I went during the Covid-19 pandemic, all attractions were online pre-bookings only. You cannot show up to any of the ticketed sights and expect to get in. You will need to look at their website in advance, select the day and time you wish to visit, and pay in advance. This will force you to plan out your trip in advance since the tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable. I even decided to purchase two tickets to Minack Theatre since the first time I went it was super foggy. They are only accepting a limited amount of people per time slot, so make sure to book as soon as you know your schedule! Bring your dog. Cornwall is extremely dog friendly! My husky, Mila, absolutely loved every minute of our trip…if it isn’t obvious from all of the pictures 😉 Be a confident driver. The roads in the Cornwall region can be quite terrifying! You will experience a lot of narrow roads that are only wide enough for one vehicle. You will need to be comfortable with reversing in order to get to a passing point. I think I did fairly well considering I was by myself, but reversing down a steep incline on a curvy road was not ideal. Pack for all types of weather. The weather in Cornwall, well England in general, can be very bipolar. It can be super rainy in the morning and blue skies can come out by the afternoon. Be sure to bring a rain jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothing for all types of weather. You should also bring a day backpack for hiking the many trails filled with a water bottle, snacks, and portable batteries. Get some Cornish ice cream and fudge. Seriously…I can’t wait to go back and get some more. It’s so good! Plan out your trip in advance. Cornwall is such a big region, which will require lots of driving between sights. Plan out the route in advance so you’re not going back and forth too much. I also suggest finding areas of interest along the way and the way back to stop at for the night or a couple days to break up the trip like I did. Day One: Thetford to Dorset Seven Sisters Cliffs The Seven Sisters are a series of chalk cliffs by the English Channel. The cliffs are known as the “Seven Sisters” due to the seven distinct hilltops. There is a parking lot with a visitor’s center and toilet where you can get great views. From here, you can walk down to the beach or along the trails up to the lighthouse. Brighton Palace Pier The Brighton Palace Pier has been around since 1899 and was built as an entertainment venue. The theater that once stood on the pier was damaged in 1973. It was then that the pier added an amusement park, with various fairground rides and roller coasters. There are several rides and attractions, along with places to eat & drink. I was not able to walk on the pier since I had Mila with me, but it would definitely be somewhere I could spend a lot of time feeling like a kid again! You can visit the website HERE to find out more. Brighton Central Beach This shingle beach isn’t the best if you’re looking for a sandy beach, but it is nice to walk along the seafront. I had lunch here and it was a nice place to sit outside and enjoy the weather. The area can get very crowded, but still a nice location for a day trip. Old Harry Rocks These chalk formations are popularly known as Old Harry Rocks, but the name Old Harry actually refers to the single stack of chalk standing furthest out to sea. Until 1896, there was another stack known as Old Harry’s Wife, but erosion caused her to tumble into sea, leaving just a stump. There are a number of theories about where Old Harry got its name. It is reputedly named after either a famous local pirate (Harry Paye) or the devil. The top of the cliff nearby is known
I have been to London several times and each time I go, I discover something new. London has so much to offer and is a great place to go for any length of time. When I plan what I am going to do in London, I first decide what tourist attractions I would like to see and do, and then I route my trip based around the tube map. The London Underground is divided into nine zones: central London is covered by zone 1. There are 11 Tube lines. The Tube fare depends on how far you travel, time of day, and how you pay. Oyster or contactless payments are the cheapest ways to pay for single fares. Tube services usually run from 5AM until midnight, with Night Tube services on some lines on Friday and Saturday evenings. After I have decided what I would like to see and do, I look up the nearest underground station of each place on LondonTown.com. Below is a list of major tourist attractions categorized by their closest underground station. Tower Hill Tower of London – This is London’s version of a castle. It is a fortress, royal palace, and infamous prison all in one. Buying your tickets online is the cheapest and most convenient way to visit the Tower. The cost is 22.50GPB. It is open from 9AM to 4:30PM Tuesday-Saturday and 10AM to 16:30 on Sundays and Mondays. Check out the official website for more information. Tower Bridge – This is one of London’s famous bridges and one of many must-see landmarks in London. You can discover the stories behind the engineering, the people, the architecture, and the city that build Tower Bridge. From the high-level walkways, you can take in stunning panoramic views and experience the thrill of seeing London life through the Glass Floor. In the Victorian Engine Rooms, you will learn about how the bridge was engineered and how it functions. The bridge is open daily from 9:30AM to 5PM. You can receive discounted tickets by booking online. The price is 8.70GBP. You can find out more information on the website. Coppa Club Igloo Restaurant – The terrace of this restaurant has been transformed into the copies set up the Thames has to offer. With fluffy blankets and sheepskin rugs, sparkly night’s sky and unrivaled views of London’s Thameside skyline, it’s the dreamiest spot ideal for hiding away from the cold and the city outside. There are a limited amount of spaces so you have to book well in advance. There is no booking fee and the prices are very cheap considering. You can check out the menu here. London Bridge Shard – Formerly known as London Bridge Tower, this 95-story skyscraper is the tallest building in the European Union. The building has a viewing gallery and open-air observation deck on the 72nd floor, at a height of 244 meters (801 feet). It offers visitors a 360-degree view for up to 40 miles. The ticket is quite expensive at 32GBP. You can book it in advance or when you arrive. There are also several restaurants and bars, all of which boast floor to ceiling windows and an excellent view of the city. You can learn more about each and make reservations here. Clink Prison Museum – This museum is built upon the original site of the Clink prison which dates back to 1144, making it probably the oldest prison in England. Visit the website for more information. Westminster Big Ben – Elizabeth Tower’s Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster has been nicknamed Big Ben. When construction completed in 1859, the clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. The tower stands 315 feet (96 meters) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. In August 2017, a four-year schedule of renovation work began on the tower. With a few exceptions, such as New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday, the bells are to be silent until the work is completed in the 2020s. House of Parliament – The palace of Westminster, commonly known as the House of Parliament, is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The UK Parliament is open to visitors year round, Monday to Saturday, to attend debates and committee hearings or to take a tour of the building. Visit the website for more information. Westminster Abbey – This cathedral is across from the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the United Kingdom’s most notable religious buildings and the traditional place of coronation and burial site British monarchs. There have been 16 royal weddings at the abbey since 1100, including Prince William and Catherine. You can attend church services, free of charge or book tickets for visiting at another time. London Eye – This is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. It is Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom with over 3.75 million visitors annually. The structure is 135 meters (443 feet) tall. If you book online, you will save 10% on tickets and guarantee a time slot. The London Dungeon – This is a tourist attraction along London’s South Bank which recreates various gory historical events in a humorous style. It uses a mixture of live actors, special effects, and rides. There are 19 live shows and 2 thrilling rides. Book online for the best price, guarantee entry, and choose your arrival time. You can also combine your ticket with another London Attraction for 40GBP. For opening times and more information visit the website. Sea Life Aquarium – Here you will find Europe’s largest collections of global marine life. The Rainforest Adventure allows you to immerse yourself in a world of creepy crawlies, charming crocs, and curious critters. The Ocean Invaders welcomes you
