LAL Torbay Excursions (4)

Taking in the spectacular south Cornish coastline, our tour will take us down to Plymouth and then cross over the river Tamar from Devon into Cornwall via the Tor Point Ferry. From here we will travel along the spectacular coast to the town of Looe, the second largest commercial town in the County. Here you will have a chance to amble around the narrow streets of the town, visit the fishing port, and maybe enjoy the wide-open sandy beach or a stroll along the river Looe. The town also boasts an abundance of good restaurants, pubs and cafes to enjoy some local food and drink including some of the various types of the famous Cornish Pasties.

We will then make the short 5-mile journey along the coast to the old fishing port of Polperro, where you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this traffic free village; you may be lucky and hear the famous fishermen's choir singing songs of the sea. After leaving Polperro we will take the 2-hour journey home.

Find out more about Looe on the internet...
Find out more about Polperro on the internet...

This is our longest and most intensive tour to Cornwall. We will travel down to the far west of England to Land's End. En-route we will travel through the heart of Cornwall where your Guide will tell you all about the people and culture of England's most beautiful county. Our day will include, Marazion, for St Michael's Mount, Penzance, Sennen Cove, Land's End and the picturesque town of St Ives on the Atlantic Coast, famous for its slate roof houses, the Tate Gallery and the artists who work around the harbour area.

Find out more about the Land's End visitor centre on the internet...
Find out more about Land's End on the internet...
Find out more about Marazion on the internet...
Find out more about Saint Michael's Mount on the internet...
Find out more about Penzance on the internet...
Find out more about St Ives on the internet...
Find out more about The Tate Gallery at St Ives on the internet...

A tour to the beautiful South Hams, known as Devon's best kept secret. We will start our day making the short journey to Kingswear, where we cross the River Dart taking us from Torbay into Dartmouth and the South Hams. We then head along the coast to one of England's finest beaches at Blackpool Sands. After this we continue further along the picturesque coastline to reach Slapton Sands. This was one of the largest training sites for British and allied troops in preparation for the D-Day invasion of Europe that took place in June of 1944. You will have the chance to see an American Sherman Tank that fell into the sea during the operations and has now been recovered as a lasting memorial of the event.

We will then continue on to Start Point and the lighthouse for some breathtaking views and then on to the secluded town of Salcombe, on the Kingsbridge Estuary, for lunch.

After this we continue west for our final stop at the fabulous Burgh Island. This small island can only be reached across the sand at low tide; at high tide you can take the unique tractor ferry. The island was often visited by Agatha Christie, who found it a tranquil place to write; she often stayed in the famous hotel, and set the novels 'Evil Under The Sun' and 'And Then There Were None' on the island.

We will then depart for our journey home through the beautiful South Hams countryside via Totnes and back to Torbay.

Find out more about Blackpool Sands on the internet...
Find out more about the Sherman Tank and D-Day landing practices at Torcross on the internet...
Find out more about Totnes on the internet...
Find out more about Start Point Lighthouse on the internet...
Find out more about Salcombe on the internet...
Find out more about Burgh Island on the internet...

A half-day tour to the beautiful South Hams, known as 'Devon's best kept secret'. We will start our day making the short journey to Kingswear, where we cross the river Dart by ferry taking us from Torbay into Dartmouth and the South Hams.

We then head along the coast to one of England's finest beaches at Blackpool Sands. After this we continue further along the picturesque coastline to reach Slapton Sands, one of the largest training sites for British and allied troops in preparation for the historical D-Day Landings that took place in June of 1944. You will have the chance to see an American Sherman Tank that was retrieved from the sea during the loading operations and carefully restored as a lasting memorial of the event.

We will then travel home through the beautiful South Hams countryside via Totnes and back to Torbay.

Find out more about Totnes on the internet...
Find out more about the Sherman Tank and D-Day landing practices at Torcross on the internet...

One of Great Britain's most famous landmarks set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside and now a World Heritage Site. Described as one of the wonders of the world, this is the remnants of the last of a sequence of such monuments erected between 3000BC and 1600BC. It has been said that the stones contain many kinds of mythical and magic powers that have attracted many people and religious sects over the years. Admission is included into the site and your Guide will escort you around the site.

We will then take the short 10-mile journey south, to the county city of Wiltshire, Salisbury. Here your Guide will point out many of this beautiful and picturesque city's landmarks including the famous Cathedral. Look out also for the open market in the centre for some shopping bargains.

We will then return home from Wiltshire through East and South Devon back to Torbay.

Find out more about Stonehenge on the internet...
...and a little more about Stonehenge

Take a magical trip back in time as we visit this South Hams town, just 6 miles to the West of Paignton. The town is steeped in history, and legend says that it was the site where the first people arrived in Britain. Built next to the famous River Dart, the town has remnants of Norman and Saxon settlements, including a castle that looks over the town, and the East and North Gates, which form part of the old town wall.

Your Guide will take you on a guided walk around the town pointing out historical landmarks and famous people associated with the town. After this you will have time to look around the unusual shops and excellent cafes.

Find out more about Totnes on the internet...

A journey East along into Dorset and part of the famous Jurassic coastline will bring us to the beautiful and popular resort of Weymouth. Dorset is noted for its beauty, and even more so for its variety; almost every kind of coastal scenery that England possesses can be seen throughout our journey along with some picture postcard villages. We will also have some fine views of the breathtaking Chesil Beach.

Weymouth's fine Georgian seafront is an impressive backdrop to the long beach and esplanade. The historic harbour, marina and nature reserve surround the town centre combining the traditional and modern to create a very special place to visit - at any time of year. There are many attractions to offer, including the world's foremost Titanic Exhibition, Sea Life Park, and the Brewers Quay Complex.

With three lighthouses and the best cream teas in England, Portland Bill is a must, but don't just do the tourist thing and just see the lighthouse and Pulpit Rock. Take a walk to the east past the huts to see the caves in the cliffs; they are huge caverns once used for smuggling. There is a hole in the floor above one of the caves with an iron grille over it; try standing on the grille when there is an east wind, as long as you don't mind getting wet!

Find out more about Weymouth on the internet...
Find out more about Portland Bill on the internet...

Our journey will take us to Somerset, passing by Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills.

The earliest men lived in this valley 50,000 years ago, hunting bear and rhinoceros with stone weapons. Wookey Hole has some of Britain's most spectacular caves and is the home of the infamous Witch of Wookey. Wander through the prehistoric Valley of the Dinosaurs featuring King Kong and relax in the magical fairy garden. The 19th Century Paper Mill has a variety of attractions including a Victorian Penny Arcade, Magical Mirror Maze, Hall of Crazy Mirrors, Cave Museum and Pirate Zap Zone. Come and visit the Wookey Bear Collection and factory.

On the way home we visit Weston-super-Mare, one of Britain's most traditional seaside resorts, famous for a huge beach and donkey rides.

Find out more about Wookey Hole on the internet...
Find out more about Weston-super-Mare on the internet...