Friday 5th June 2026 – Tuesday 16th June 2026
Exeter (Underground Passages)
We set off on Friday evening and drove down to Exeter where we found a free overnight carpark right next to the River Exe. There was just time for a quick walk along the river before bed. We found a big weir and a family of swans.
On Saturday we explored the city. We found some medieval remains, some extremely old wobbly buildings and steep cobbled streets. We walked around the outside of the cathedral and around the some of the castle grounds.
Abi enjoyed playing in a big toy shop that had lots of lego including an area where you could sit and build for as long as you wanted.
Later in the afternoon we did a tour of the Exeter Underground Passages. They were built hundreds of years ago to bring water to the cathedral. The passages are very narrow and in some places we had to crawl on our hands and feet (this was an optional low path).
Dawlish
Leaving Exeter we did the short drive down to Dawlish where we found more free overnight parking. We choose to just stay for an hour and watched the big waves and spent some time in the arcades before continuing our coastal drive.
Teignmouth
We found a nice level spot on the seafront which is free between 6pm and 9am.
We went into the pier and had a quick go on the arcades, sadly the outside of the pier was shut, by the looks of it for renovation. We had a little wander around the town but being a Sunday most things were shut.
Babbacombe (Cliff Railway)
We continued along the coast to Babbacombe where we decidedly to walk down to Oddicombe Beach and along the seafront to the next village. Here we stopped for Abi to have an icecream at a beachside cafe whilst we watched lots of divers before walking back along the coast and taking the Babbacombe Cliff Railway back up to the main road.
Torquay (Dinosaur World)
After lunch we headed to Torquay where we spent an hour or so at Torquays Dinosaur World. This is a small indoor attraction which is very educational and allows kids to sit on many of the exhibits.
We had a wander around the rest of Torquay and walked over the Marina Lift Bridge, through Princess Gardens and under the big wheel.
We then left Devon and crossed the county into Cornwall where we found a free parkup in Truro.
Truro
We stayed in Malpas Road and woke up to a sunny morning so we played in the park and walked around Malpas Pond.
It was here that we had a real treat, not only did Abi get to stroke a Muscovy Duck but we also hand fed some Rooks.
After stocking up on food at the supermarket, we drove down to Lizard where we spent the next 4 nights at the Parkdean Holiday Park there.
Lizard Point
We took a drive down to Lizard Point, the UK’s most southerly point.
We walked down to the old lifeboat house on the beach and also saw the light house.
Penzance
On Wednesday after a morning swim we set off to visit Penzance. We found The Navy Inn which was run by my best friend’s dad back in the early 90’s.
St Michaels Mount
We timed our visit to St Michael’s Mount so the tide was out at but sadly I didn’t realise they lock the island after 4pm so we didn’t get to explore properly.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
This place is worth a visit, your standard ticket is valid for an entire year so you can return as often as you like and your money helps rescue and rehabilitate local wildlife.
They have several resident seals, which can’t released back to the wild. There is a Puffin enclosure which houses about 6 puffins.
There are underwater viewing areas for both the puffins and seals and they are definitely both worth watching.
We learnt that seals spend alot of time either just floating or swimming upside down. The staff explained that this was because their eyes are on the top of their head, so being upside down allows them to look for food.
The puffins literally fly underwater and their speed and manoeuvrability beneath the waves is just as impressive as any bird I’ve seen flying in the skies above.
There is also a playground, cafe and several farm animals to visit.
St Ives
We spent a morning exploring St Ives. It’s a very pretty village with pedestrianised cobbled streets filled with independent shops. The seaside is stunning, glorious yellow sand and some fishing boats dotted around.
There are plenty of arcades and ice cream shops to tempt you.
Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm
After meeting up with our friends the Anstys who were also holidaying nearby we visited the Cornish Cyder Farm and enjoyed the free tastings.
The kids liked climbing on the old tractors and visiting the farm animals, including a baby goat and lots of free range, very friendly piglets.
Bodmin
We spent Friday night in Bodmin and had a wander around d the town on Saturday morning. We visited the Bodmin Museum which is free and full of interesting history.
Plymouth
After leaving Bodmin, we drove over the Tamar Bridge and met up with Andy in Plymouth.
We visited the seafront, crossed the swing bridge on Pilgrim Way, paddled in the sea beside the lido, walked around Smeatons Tower and had dinner in a cafe by the marina.
That night we found a parkup in Mount Batten. We parked our vans for free in the Jennycliff Car Park and cycled down the hill to the foot passenger ferry which took us and our bikes across the water to Plymouth.
We had a few hours exploring the high street and shops before catching the ferry back and pushing our bikes slowly back up the hill to Jennycliff Cafe where we had a meal with a view before parting ways once more. Andy was heading home and Abi & I drove up to Bideford in North Devon.
Bideford
Bideford is a small town on the River Torridge. There’s a beautiful old bridge and some boats. There’s cobbled streets and plenty of shops and restaurants.
Lynton & Lynmouth (Valley of Rocks & Cliff Railway)
We had a quick stop and a wander around the shops in Barnstaple before heading north to Lynton and Lynmouth.
We parked up by Valley of Rocks and walked back to Lynton which took about 10 minutes.
We had a look in the candle shop where you can watch the candles being made.
Next we rode the Cliff Railway down to Lynmouth. The tide was a long way out so we played on the beach and found a big rock pool with lots of fish trapped in it. After a play in the park we went to find out what the big fountains of water were. It was the Glen Lyn Gorge, sadly we didn’t have time to explore but we may return another time.
We rode the Cliff Railway back up to Lynton and did a hike around the Rock Valley.
At the Valley of Rocks we were treated to amazing views and lots of wild goats.
We spent the night in Minehead and then visited our friends The Rossiters on our way home.