Art, History & Culture in London & the West Country - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in London, Afternoon Tea at Sketch, Covent Garden Walking Tour

Welcome to England! Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by your driver and whisked to your central hotel in London, the nation's historic capital with a legacy that spans almost 2,000 years, from the Roman conquest to the Tudor dynasty and Victorian era to today's multicultural metropolis. Once you've arrived and settled in at your hotel, you'll kick-start your vacation with one of England's time-honored traditions—afternoon tea. This custom began in the 1800s when Queen Victoria's confidante, the Duchess of Bedford, asked for something to satiate her afternoon hunger pangs.

What was once a "light bite" has transformed over the centuries into a beloved ritual, and today, you'll experience it in the deeply luxurious and highly Instagrammable setting of Sketch in Mayfair. Against the backdrop of a string trio, you'll be waited upon by your own tea master and even a caviar expert, if you choose. Teas run the gamut from jasmine pearl to roasted iron Buddha oolong, while savory treats include brioche buns with black truffle cream cheese. No afternoon tea is complete without scones, and yours will be served with signature fig jam and an array of cakes and tempting pâtisserie.

After an indulgent start, you could spend the rest of your afternoon on a leisurely two-hour walking tour through Covent Garden, the city's main theater and entertainment district in the West End. The pedestrianized, elegant main plaza is flanked by the Royal Opera House and luxury boutiques beneath porticoed arches. See the street entertainers who have performed here since the 17th century and spot landmarks, including St Paul's Cathedral, an English Baroque masterpiece designed by Sir Christopher Wren. In the evening, you'll be perfectly placed to catch a West End show or dine at one of the buzzy French bistros. 

Day 3: Drive to Bath via Avebury, Bath Food Heroes Tour

Hop back in the car, and in half an hour or so, you'll reach Bath. Once you've had a chance to settle in at your hotel, you'll spend the afternoon on a half-day food tour, visiting the city's landmarks and meeting a selection of Bath's artisan food producers. From juicy red strawberries from the Cheddar Gorge to local sheep's ricotta, delicate goat's cheese, and fennel salami, you'll sample fresh produce from a selection of the city's leading independent cafés. In the evening, put your newfound foodie knowledge to good use and spend the evening at one of the city's excellent restaurants. 

Day 4: Visit the Roman Baths, Drive to Padstow, Free Afternoon

Spend the rest of the afternoon browsing the boutiques and galleries on the labyrinthine-like streets that wind their way back from the harbor, take a walk along the South West Coast Path for glorious views of the Camel Estuary, and in the evening, seek out live music at one of the local pubs and sample the excellent local cider.

Day 5: Explore Tintagel Castle, Coastal Adventures in Padstow

Today is yours to explore Padstow and the highlights of the nearby coast. It would be remiss not to visit Tintagel and the 13th-century ruins of Tintagel Castle, rumored to be the birthplace of King Arthur. It's a scenic 50-minute drive north, and you'll have the morning to soak up the terrific clifftop views and see the fortress, which was once a stronghold for medieval Cornish kings. 

If you can drag yourself away from the wonders of the castle, don't miss Merlin's Cave on the shore below. At low tide, it's an atmospheric spot to visit and adds to the air of Arthurian mystery that shrouds the area. To better understand rural life in centuries past, visit the Tintagel Old Post Office, a 14th-century building and a well-preserved example of a medieval manor house. If all the exploring has helped work up an appetite, head to the Camelot Castle Hotel, a great spot for lunch with sweeping sea views from the terrace. 

In the afternoon, you'll have the option of working up an appetite for tonight's dinner with a private kayaking or standup paddleboarding tour around the coast. Meet your guide in Padstow and transfer 30 minutes to Port Quin, a nearby hamlet and cove with plenty of caves to paddle to and explore. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned kayaker, your local expert and guide will tailor your session to meet your needs. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Padstow in time for your dinner reservation. 

Day 6: Drive to St Ives via Lost Gardens of Heligan

Say your goodbyes to Padstow this morning as you hit the road south to one of Cornwall's most popular destinations, St Ives. If you feel like taking a slower route, detour east for a stop at the evocative Lost Gardens of Heligan. Originally created in the 19th century by the Tremayne family, the gardens fell into neglect after World War I and all but disappeared into a wilderness until they were rediscovered and restored in the 1990s. You'll be greeted by over 200 acres (81 ha) of themed gardens and pathways, including the vast Jungle Garden with its subtropical plants, and intriguing sculptures like the Mud Maid.

Get back on the road for about an hour's drive southwest to St Ives. For centuries, artists and painters have flocked to the picturesque seaside resort seeking the town's exceptional quality of light, said to arise from its vast quartet of golden beaches. Get settled into your hotel, then stroll down to the harbor and follow the short path to Porthminster Beach for a walk along the sands. Return to the Old Town and wind through the maze of cobbled streets until you reach the Tate St Ives. The art museum (part of the Tate family of galleries) is filled with contemporary and Cornish artists like Alfred Wallis and Jessica Warboys. 

Day 7: Drive to Penzance, Polgoon Vineyard & Minack Theatre 

Once you've had a chance to settle in, head just outside town to the Polgoon Vineyard, a thriving vineyard and orchard nestled on slopes overlooking Mount's Bay that produces award-winning artisan Cornish wines and ciders. See how the vines and fruit are meticulously cared for, then follow the tour with lunch in the Vine House Kitchen and a tasting of five award-winning wines.

Later on, a 20-minute drive southwest to one of Cornwall's undisputed gems, the open-air Minack Theatre. The site, which resembles an ancient Greek amphitheater, was created by Rowena Cade, who set out to build an incredible open-air theater carved into the towering granite rock and set high above the white sands of Porthcurno Bay. Now, almost 100 years later, the Minack regularly shows performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company, although if you're planning to catch a performance, you'll need to book well ahead. 

Day 8: Hike & Explore St Michael's Mount or Scilly Islands Day Trip

It's your last full day in Cornwall, and you have two great options for a memorable finale. If you're keen to stretch your legs, embark on a scenic 3-mile (5 km) walk to St Michael's Mount. This tidal island, reminiscent of Mont St Michel in Normandy (the history of the two was entwined until the dissolution of the monasteries), is crowned by a towering castle and lush, subtropical gardens. If the tide is in and you can't cross the walkway, don't worry; the island is serviced several times a day by boats that leave from the mainland.

Speaking of boats, another option is a sailing excursion to the Scilly Isles, an archipelago that lies just 28 miles (45 km) off the Cornish coast. Your cruise starts with a relaxed sail from Penzance to Land's End along the coastline, reaching the islands just in time for lunch. With miles of hiking trails and secluded sandy beaches to relax on (only five of the islands are inhabited, while others are havens for rare birdlife and flora), it's the perfect way to spend your final day before returning to Penzance in time for dinner.

Check into your hotel, and once you're all settled, head out to experience one of the city's foremost attractions: Exeter's ancient medieval Underground Passages, the only ones of their kind open to the public. This afternoon, you'll weave your way through these narrow passageways on a guided tour filled with interactive exhibits that show how clean drinking water was transferred into the medieval city via the passageways from springs outside the city walls. In the evening, drop in for a pint at one of the historic local pubs, then make your way to the waterfront for al fresco dining with quayside views.

Day 10: Drive to London, Hidden Pubs or Soho Evening Food Tour

It's time to head back east this morning to London, and while it's just under a four-hour drive from Exeter to London, you can stop halfway at the excellent Gloucester Services on the M5 motorway. Several notches above your average motorway service station, the family-run business works with more than 130 producers within a 30-mile (48 km) radius and is a great place to grab a bite or shop for quality artisanal gifts, including top-of-the-range foodie gifts. 

Eventually, you'll arrive back in London, where you can drop off your rental car, check back into your hotel, and get ready for your final afternoon in the capital. One excellent option is to spend it on a guided tour of some of London's oldest pubs. Meet your guide outside St Paul's Cathedral and wind your way through the city's ancient backstreets and rambling courtyards, stopping for a drink in at least four pubs that date back as far as the 1500s. You don't have to be a beer drinker to enjoy the tour. Non-drinkers can enjoy excellent alcohol-free wines and beers, while gin and wine aficionados are well-catered for. 

If you're hungry for something more toothsome, spend the evening savoring the hidden foodie gems in Soho. The area is filled with eateries ranging from fine dining to secret speakeasies, hole-in-the-wall hidden gems, and a vast variety of international cuisine. In the company of an experienced and food-obsessed local guide, you'll stop at seven hand-picked local finds, nibbling delights such as mouthwatering croquetas and sipping Catalan vermouth to weaving your way through Chinatown in search of the city's best bao buns.