Exploring Devons Delights

EXPLORING DEVON’S DELIGHTS

 

10 – 14 April 2025

Thursday – Monday

5 Days

From £499

 

Join us as we explore Devon’s delights including the Dartmouth Steam Railway, and Compton Castle, full of romance and history.

 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Totnes   |   Buckfast Abbey   |   Torre Abbey Gardens & Museum   |   Torquay   Compton Castle   |   Brixham   |   Dartmouth Steam Railway

 

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to Devon arriving late afternoon you will have time to relax before dinner this evening.

 

DAY TWO – Totnes and Buckfast Abbey

This morning we head for Totnes, its market day on the Market Square, so plenty to see, as well as do in this historic town, which was famous for once having its own currency – the now defunct Totnes Pound – this beautiful, town has a lively, bohemian community and a relaxed atmosphere.

After our morning visit, we then travel to the beautiful Buckfast Abbey. Located at the centre of a picturesque valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Buckfast Abbey is home to a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine Monks, who live their lives of prayer, work and study according to the ancient rule of St Benedict.

The heart of our site is the Abbey Church and Monastery – the place in which the Monastic Community lives and prays at various times throughout the day. Our site is historic – the original Abbey being founded in 1018 AD, by King Cnut.

Today, the site is a flourishing complex of buildings which the monks have continually developed to aid them in realising their vision for Buckfast - to be a national centre of witness to God, and the Roman Catholic faith. To that end, the community places a great value upon hospitality, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The site includes beautiful, spacious gardens, restaurants as well as a visitor welcome centre.

 

DAY THREE – Compton Castle and Torre Abbey Gardens & Museum

Today we visit a rare survivor, this medieval fortress with high curtain walls, towers and a portcullis, set in a landscape of rolling hills and orchards, is a bewitching mixture of romance and history.  Home for nearly 600 years to the Gilbert family, including Sir Humphrey Gilbert – half-brother to Sir Walter Raleigh. In the castle there are the charming and historical Great Hall, Sub Solar and Solar to explore, as well as the medieval kitchen and chapel. Explore the rose garden, take a seat in the orchard, discover the medieval style knot garden and soak up the spring sunshine.

We’ll then visit Torre Abbey & Gardens, a veritable treasure trove, with elegant gardens perfect for a stroll, while the museum and art collection include everything from Tudor curiosities to original work by William Blake.

 

DAY FOUR – Dartmouth Steam Railway and Brixham

This morning, we drive to Dartmouth where we enjoy a journey on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, discover beautifully restored vintage locomotives and enjoy glorious views - one of the finest steam train trips in the country along the coast of Torbay.

We spend a little time in Dartmouth situated on the banks of the picturesque River Dart before heading to Brixham, a charming coastal town known for its picturesque harbour, bustling tourism trade, vibrant fishing industry, and stunning natural beauty.

 

DAY FIVE – Departure

After breakfast this morning we leave our hotel and make our journey home with comfort stops en route.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

• Luxury coach travel

• Home pick-up

• 4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

• Porterage on arrival and departure

• Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

• Dartmouth Steam Railway journey

• Admission to Buckfast Abbey

• Admission to Torre Abbey Gardens & Museum

• Admission to Compton Castle.

 

LIVERMEAD HOTEL, TORQUAY

One of two family owned Rew Hotels, Livermead House has been one of the best loved places to stay in Torbay for well over a century. While tourism has changed vastly since those early days, the hotel still epitomises the traditional values that charmed guests from the beginning: perfect service, elegant rooms and a genuine commitment to make every guest feel special.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Dartmouth Steam Railway journey

Admission to Buckfast Abbey

Admission to Torre Abbey Gardens & Museum

Admission to Compton Castle.

 

LIVERMEAD HOTEL, TORQUAY

One of two family owned Rew Hotels, Livermead House has been one of the best loved places to stay in Torbay for well over a century. While tourism has changed vastly since those early days, the hotel still epitomises the traditional values that charmed guests from the beginning: perfect service, elegant rooms and a genuine commitment to make every guest feel special.

 

 HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
3 star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Lift
Bar	Television	Wheelchair accessible
Restaurant	Wifi
Lounge
Swimming Pool
Gym

 

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	10 – 14 APR 2025	THURSDAY	£499	NONE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE			£27.28

 

 

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply.  Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Seat numbers on the coach may be subject to change. Issues whilst on tour must be raised in the first instance with the driver. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office.  If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

Livermead Hotel Torquay Buckfast Abbey Compton Castle Dartmouth Railway