South Devon Discovery - Prestige

SOUTH DEVON DISCOVERY – Majestic Moors to Charming Coasts - Prestige

 

14 – 18 October 2024

Monday – Friday

5 Days

From £625

 

Tour dramatic moors, River Dart valleys, to the waterfront on the English Riviera.

 

Centuries of stories to be told, discover secret doors, hidden ballrooms, lavish furnishings, maybe a ghost or two, on a private guided tour at majestic, fortified manor, Powderham Castle. Sail through the ‘Triassic Era’, passing dramatic scenery, rugged cliffs and secluded caves along the unspoilt UNESCO south coast on a Jurassic Coast Cruise from Exmouth to Swanage. Take traditional sights galore, views over the bay, iconic palm trees waving, mix with a bustling harbour scene and a thriving vibe, as you dig into Torquay’s secrets to explore popular Victorian seaside society. Settled gently beside the River Dart, your senses will come alive with the scent of lavender teasing, as you gaze upon vast stained-glass windows, brook babbling, among gardens alive with colour in the nurtured grounds of 1000-year-old Buckfast Abbey. Through lush farmland, past rolling Devon moors, relive golden days of travel as you chuff through seven miles of the striking, wildlife-rich valley on multi-award-winning South Devon Railway.

 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Powderham Castle Private Guided Tour   |   Jurassic Coast Cruise   |   Buckfast Abbey   |   South Devon Railway   |   Torquay

 

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 – Buckfast Abbey and South Devon Railway

This morning we head Buckfast Abbey, sitting quietly alongside the River Dart, retreat to the serenity of Buckfast Abbey, originally founded in 1018. Home to a community of Benedictine monks, the impressive Abbey building is complete with stained-glass windows and ornate cornice detailing. Set in lovingly nurtured grounds, the Abbey is a refuge from hectic modern life. See the community at work, wander the immaculate gardens and learn about the order’s history, before sampling some of their produce, including wines, candles, and perfumes.

 

We then relive the golden days of railway travel as you hop aboard a heritage carriage behind a beautifully restored steam locomotive and take in the scenic sights of the River Dart valley, some of Devon’s most glorious countryside. Relax as this delightful 14-mile return journey takes you from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, in the shadow of Dartmoor and the Devon Hills, before visiting the Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies that call Totnes home.

 

DAY THREE – Powderham Castle and Jurassic Coast Cruise

Today we continue our holiday with a private guided tour of Powderham Castle. Sitting on the banks of the River Eve, in picturesque grade II listed deer parkland, unravel a fascinating 600-year family story at this majestic, fortified manor. Be in awe at the centuries old seat of the Courteney family, delivering a lavish collection of antiques and tapestries, secret doors, hidden ballrooms, haunted halls, Gothic Pavilions and Towers complete with Woodland Gardens, Rose Terraces, and even a Domesday book mention.

 

We then enjoy an epic cruise as we return to prehistoric Britain along the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Running from Exmouth to Swanage, the unspoilt stretch of coastline reveals a unique geological portrait of 185 million years of the Earth’s history, exposed in dramatic cliffs, secluded caves, coastal stacks and barrier beaches. Admire the otherworldly scenery with an on-board commentary from your Skipper, covering the changing history and appearance of the coastline, as well as the wildlife and towns surrounding it.

 

DAY FOUR – Torquay

Today you have a day at leisure in Torquay, enjoy the resort, or simply relax at the hotel and watch the world go by.

 

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 and biscuits on arrival

• Entertainment on 2 nights

• Jurassic Coast Cruise

• South Devon Railway journey

• Admission and Private Tour of Powderham Castle

• Admission to Buckfast Abbey.

 

BELGRAVE SANDS HOTEL & SPA, TORQUAY

Set in Torquay, 0.7 miles from Beacon Cove Beach, Belgrave Sands Hotel & Spa offers accommodation with a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar. Among the facilities at this property are room service and a shared lounge, along with free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel provides an indoor pool, spa centre, evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk. At the hotel, all rooms include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival

Entertainment on 2 nights

Jurassic Coast Cruise

South Devon Railway journey

Admission and Private Tour of Powderham Castle

Admission to Buckfast Abbey.

 

BELGRAVE SANDS HOTEL & SPA, TORQUAY

Set in Torquay, 0.7 miles from Beacon Cove Beach, Belgrave Sands Hotel & Spa offers accommodation with a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar. Among the facilities at this property are room service and a shared lounge, along with free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel provides an indoor pool, spa centre, evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk. At the hotel, all rooms include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle.

 

 HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4-star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Lift to most rooms
Bar	Television
Restaurant	Hairdryer
Lounge	Wi-Fi
Swimming Pool	Iron
Gym

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	14 – 18 OCTOBER 2024	MONDAY	£625	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).

Belgrave Sands Powderham Castle Buckfast Abbey South Devon Railway Boat Cruise