Wilds, Waterways and Wonders of Devon

WILDS, WATERWAYS AND WONDERS OF DEVON

 

17 - 21 August 2026

Monday – Friday

5 Days

From £669

 

This exciting yet relaxing holiday unpacks some of the best of Devon, from historic Exeter with its majestic Cathedral to beautiful Buckfast Abbey and the market town of Tiverton. In-between these visits come two unforgettable journeys—a scenic drive across wild and wonderful Dartmoor National Park and an enchanting cruise along the Grand Western Canal aboard a traditional, horse-pulled barge.

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

 

Exeter   |   Exeter Cathedral & Tour  |    Dartmoor National Park   |   Buckfast Abbey   |   Tiverton Canal Cruise   |   Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon

 

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 – Exeter & Exeter Cathedral

Today we make our way to Exeter. A city rich in history, there is plenty to occupy us, including the imposing Roman wall, beautiful quayside with shopping opportunities and award-winning Royal Albert Memorial Museum.

 

We also visit magnificent Exeter Cathedral, where we embark on a 90-minute Bishop’s Palace Garden Tour. Visit this delightful, peaceful oasis in the heart of Exeter, looking first inside the Cathedral at the parts of the building which can be seen from the garden and then walking to the medieval Palace Gateway to enter the garden itself. Stroll the gravel paths around the lawns giving a unique view of the Cathedral itself, learn about the Bishop’s Palace and discover some of the special trees, plants & statues this beautiful garden contains.

 

DAY THREE – Dartmoor National Park & Buckfast Abbey

This morning we enjoy a scenic drive across Dartmoor National Park, wending our way past its heather-clad moors, river valleys, granite tors and Neolithic monuments, while also watching for wild Dartmoor ponies.

 

We continue to Buckfast Abbey, an 11th century abbey revived in the early 20th century, which houses working community of Graded Devon Benedictine monks. We can visit the soaring Abbey Church, stroll in the gorgeous Sensory and Lavender Gardens, and chart the daily lives of the monks at the Exhibition Centre. There is free time to have lunch at the abbey restaurants before we head back to our hotel this afternoon.

 

DAY FOUR – Tiverton Canal Cruise and Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon

We set off this morning for a tranquil, 90-minute horse-drawn barge cruise on the Tiverton Canal. As we glide over the calm waters in our well-equipped and traditionally painted barge, we learn about our artistically decorated boat, the handsome, heavy horses that pull it and the river’s wildlife.

 

Afterwards, we visit Tiverton and our included visit to the Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life. The museum is a treasure trove of quirky objects and artefacts telling the story of life in Mid Devon. We’ll spend a little time here before you have time to explore the market town that brims with history and heritage.

 

DAY FIVE - Departure

After breakfast 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

Welcome tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner

Exeter Cathedral - Lady Chapel & Bishop's Palace Tour

Buckfast Abbey

Tiverton Canal Horse-Drawn Barge

Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon.

 

DEVON HOTEL EXETER, DEVON

Situated on the outskirts of southern Exeter near the River Exe, this attractive hotel makes an ideal base for our holiday. The 60 bedrooms are decorated in a modern style and located on the ground and first floors of the main building and reception. The bar and restaurant are found in a separate, neighbouring building and serve delicious food for breakfast and dinner in stylish and contemporary settings. Although the hotel does not have a lift, there ground floor rooms available on request.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Welcome tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner

Exeter Cathedral - Lady Chapel & Bishop's Palace Tour

Buckfast Abbey

Tiverton Canal Horse-Drawn Barge

Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon.

 

DEVON HOTEL EXETER, DEVON

Situated on the outskirts of southern Exeter near the River Exe, this attractive hotel makes an ideal base for our holiday. The 60 bedrooms are decorated in a modern style and located on the ground and first floors of the main building and reception. The bar and restaurant are found in a separate, neighbouring building and serve delicious food for breakfast and dinner in stylish and contemporary settings. Although the hotel does not have a lift, there ground floor rooms available on request.

 

HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
3-star	Wi-Fi	No lift
Bar	Television	Ground floor rooms
Restaurant	Tea/coffee making facilities
Gym

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	17 – 21 AUG 2026	MONDAY	£669	£96 SINGLE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE			£36

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).

Devon Hotel, Exeter. Visit Exeter Buckfast Abbey Tiverton Canal Cruise Tiverton Museum