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Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Explore national parks, enjoy sandy beaches and picturesque coastal scenery, plus spot some fascinating animals in their natural habitat on a spectacular wildlife cruise on this trip based in Devon and crossing the county border for a taste of Cornwall.
This holiday operates under our Optimum Experience brand.
With elegant space-maximising interior design, our Optimum Experience vehicle offers incredible passenger comfort with a selection of fine tours and destinations to choose from. Our Optimum holiday packages include a wide range of excursions, events and admissions, accommodation in a minimum 3* hotel (unless otherwise stated) and, on all our European Holidays, a Skills Representative too! Why not also book our door-to-door service and make your next holiday stress-free?
Today, we travel to our hotel in Bideford with stops along the way.
After breakfast today, we journey to the picturesque historic harbour of Ilfracombe. Here, you can explore the beautiful beaches and coves, fantastic eateries, and a range of museums, aquariums and unique attractions before we board this afternoon's wildlife cruise. Seals, dolphins, sunfish and porpoises all frequent this part of the North Devon coast. Keep your eyes open and your cameras ready as we pass majestic rock features, waterfalls, islands, and the Bull Point Lighthouse, originally built in 1879.
Once the country's third-largest port, Bideford is overflowing with maritime heritage everywhere you look. Now a vibrant shopping hub, including the historic Pannier Market, enjoy the town at your leisure today. Bideford is also a place of culture, having been home to the author Charles Kingsley. If you're in the mood for nature and wildlife, regular boat trips to Lundy Island are the perfect way to see Devon's puffin population.
Just over the county border, beautiful Bude is our destination today in Cornwall. The award-winning resort is the perfect place to relax beside the seaside, and it has a laid-back atmosphere throughout the town. Take a stroll on Summerleaze Beach or hire a rowboat on the Bude Canal, whilst those looking to explore can find rock pools perfect for crabbing and a selection of quirky shops to browse. Do as much as you wish in this much-loved resort on the North Cornish coast; the day is yours.
Dartington Crystal is the UK's only remaining glass factory. Here, we have arranged a fascinating factory tour, where you can watch skilled glass makers in action on the factory floor safely from the viewing areas. We also visit RHS Garden Rosemoor, an enchanting sixty-five-acre garden featuring the largest rose gardens in the South West.
Clinging to a four-hundred-foot cliff, Clovelly's picturesque, ancient fishing village has no vehicular traffic, just donkeys! Once owned by the Queen of England, the area is now privately owned, which has helped preserve its unique atmosphere. However, please be aware Clovelly's famous cobbled streets can be steep and slippery, so watch your footing!
We travel home today.
Boasting one-hundred-and-twenty-five bedrooms, a fine dining restaurant and a luxury spa on site, this hotel is the perfect place to enjoy the best of northern Devon and Cornwall.
Hotel Facilities
Bar
Restaurant
Lift
WiFi
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alfreton | Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT |
| Arnold | High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE |
| Beeston | Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA |
| Bulwell | Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE |
| Chesterfield | Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH |
| Derby | Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY |
| Heanor | Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG |
| Ilkeston | Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF |
| Leicester | St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG |
| Leicester Fosse Park | Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL |
| Long Eaton | The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ |
| Loughborough | Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE |
| Lutterworth | George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG |
| Mansfield | Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA |
| Nottingham | Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE |
| Ripley | Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ |
| Rotherham | Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB |
| Sheffield | Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG |
| Toton | Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA |
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