A trip to the southwest of England

[nihilyst]

Hi, folks,

in just two weeks I'll be on a vacation to Devon/Cornwall with a friend of mine, seven nights, sleeping in youth hostels around the coast (starting in Bristol, then clockwise through Devon and Cornwall until I hit Bristol again). I've rented a car, but planned to go wandering around and enjoying the landscape. Aside from that, there surely are some very interesting places to miss, so do you guys happen to know or could you recommend me places/museums/tours/parks/etc. that aren't too expensive, but are worth a visit?

Thanks in advance!
nihilyst

[Mr Flibble]

Haha, that's pretty much the family holiday we did for years. Newquay and St Ives are nice, the former especially if you wanna go out at night.

Avoid the Seal Sanctuary, it's lacklustre.

[Atelier]

If you're going to Devon then you must try some Devonshire fudge. Also Lime Regis is a must-see, especially if you like ammonites, trilobites, or even coprolite... Prepare for decrepit anoraks with rock hammers.

Avoid the Seal Sanctuary, it's lacklustre.

Is that the one at Penzance (sp), or is that the Pilchard Factory? Whatever one, like Mr Flibble said, it's best to stay away.

[Mr Jake]

Stay clear of Bristol, that place is a pit.

[Mr Flibble]

I can't for the life of me remember the name of the place... it's in a place that began with a G.

Most of the seals were hidden away when we were there, sick or something. Oh and they have a "otter area" which you have to walk over a kilometre to reach and there are 3 otters.

Edit: GWEEK. The place was called Gweek.

[m0ds]

Lands End, Ilfracoombe, Clovelly.

I'd say no to Newquay, unless you're a teenager planning on getting boozed up - cos there really isn't anything else there. Fistral Bay is about the only decent place to visit, and thats a beach. Definitely visit St Ives though, it's kind of mandatory for anyone visiting Cornwall

Penzance is a definite too, afterall, the Pirates of Penzance... ST Michaels Mount isn't far from that either and that can be a nice day out. You've got plenty of craggy crags to check out too if you wish, Men-An-Tol and Mulfra Quoit - to name a couple...out of my roadmap

Lizard Point lighthouse...I dunno why you'd find that interesting, but we used to go there a lot. And when you're a kid, it IS interesting. But it really is just a chode of a lighthouse, I don't remember much else. It is the most southern point of the UK though, as Lands End is the furthest West. So if you like geographical memories, Lizard Point is A-ok

There's a steam railway from Paignton to Dartmouth but my advice to you is stay away from Dartmouth - it's boring as shit! We went there and I was given a couple of hours to walk around. I was bored after 5 minutes, it really is dismal. Other places....hmm...I don't think it's in Devon, maybe Dorset... but if you get a chance stop off at Lyme Regis, or Charmouth -- especially if you like fossils and maybe want to take some home with you

Just a few ideas. Seriously, the first shop/fish & chip shop you walk into in devon or cornwall, you'll find about 6 million leaflefts for places to visit. I must return to Cornwall soon!!1

Have a great time!

[Leon]

In Devon:

Visit Dartmoor if you like hiking. You can get lost there for hours. Steep climbs, rivers to cross etc. There are several routes on paper or online.

Also the Canonteign falls or Becky Falls if you like to see some water other than the coast. A walk around Berry Head at Brixham, go crab fishing there.

There are also a few good spots to go diving. Enough wrecks at the coastline. Or go fishing at sea, boats leaving from Brixham, Torquay and Paignton.

Visit Paignton Zoo or descend Kents Cavern in Torquay. More there: The Living Coast Sealife Center or Babbacombe Modelvillage.  Attraction parks: Quay West waterpark in Paignton or Crealy near Exeter.

A good site: Things To Do.

On the other side of the coast (Cornwall) Tintagel is nice. If you're into knights and King Arthur, it's worth to visit the ruins of the castle (not much left) and see a re-enactment of the knights of the round table.

Do I sound like the Tourist Information office already? 

[Mr Flibble]

I somehow forgot to mention the Eden Project near St Austell in Cornwall.

The complex comprises a number of domes that house plant species from around the world, each dome emulating a natural biome.

Marvellous place with a lot of plants you probably won't ever see again in your lifetime.

[Stupot]

Jamaica Inn.
It's haunted!!!

[nihilyst]

Thanks a lot, folks! Yeah, I think there's a lot to see in Cornwall. I'll shoot some photos. Let's just hope I'll come back without swine flu. We've got enough here already

[Atelier]

Jamaica Inn.
It's haunted!!!

Jamaica Inn is real?! I want to go right now! Will Daphne be there?

[Chicky]

Come to my town, we have AGS and comic books.

[Stee]

Stay clear of Bristol, that place is a pit.

Oi!

Im in Bristol. Theres nothing wrong with it. Lived here (as a student) for 3 years and not a problem. Not really a local though so I don't know everything about the place (theres still tons of places I haven't been to/know where they are).

To be honest there isnt much to do in Bristol though, unless you like museums. Apparently the Industrial Museum (the major thing in Bristol) is closed for refurbishment, and was supposed to re open in either 2009 or 2011, according to which ever websites you look at.

The only other sight I can think of to see is the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Things to try during the night, would be cider at The Apple (a pub/boat on the docks in the city centre). And if you get into Westbury on Trym, one of the pubs (can never remember which one, but its one of the two right next to each other, and its the one that looks really old inside) serves a "special" cider which is pretty strong.

Thats it really.

[magintz]

yea I was at Uni in Bristol for a year and loved it! The suspension bridge is cool and if you cross over you have Aston Court which is a huge park and country home. Free to enter and wander round the acres of fields and forest they have. Bristol also has a zoo.
Oh and if you're looking ro a night out go to Thekla. It's a boat on the river but also a night club. Can be a little expensive... but you're on a boat mo**erf***er!

[Stee]

Yeah I hear thekla's pretty good, but the only time I considered going there (as its expensive) was right in the middle of a hefty uni workload. If you want to pm me with what you'd like to do, ie interests and such I'll try and find some stuff for you.

PS: Avoid St. Pauls. I hear it's like Brixton

[charliechuck]

Jamaica Inn.
It's haunted!!!

Jamaica Inn is real?! I want to go right now! Will Daphne be there?

There's a small Daphne museum there. Jamaica Inn itself is definately worth a pint or a meal in, it's a bit expensive to stay there though.

Mods mentioned Clovelly in devon, I'd agree with that, there's also other small fishing villages like Polperro, Mevagissy, Mousehole, Fowey, Port Isaac (which is the village on the Martin Clunes Doctor program). Also Lizard point is good. You can spend a fortune in devon and cornwall on attractions, try getting some money off vouchers before you go, if you eat walkers crisps you can get some quite good offers.

[Chicky]

Bristol has a fairly good music scene, if you want to go to a gig then i'd be happy to keep you company.

[Mr Flibble]

Oh and don't think clotted cream is a rare delight and you need to stock up on it in the first café or bakery you come to.

Trust me.

[Mr Jake]

Not really a local though

I am.

And am  back, although I've been elsewhere for 3 years

Yeah I hear thekla's pretty good, but the only time I considered going there (as its expensive) was right in the middle of a hefty uni workload. If you want to pm me with what you'd like to do, ie interests and such I'll try and find some stuff for you.

The Thekla is pretty good, pretty dodgy at the same time though. Usually a fun night though. And yeah pretty expensive.

[magintz]

PS: Avoid St. Pauls. I hear it's like Brixton

I lived there, well very outskirts of there. It isn't rough. Just unpleasant. Walking home from Uni I was offered many unspeakable acts of depravity from a lady of low moral repute; several times being offered to be "licked like a lollipop" and also witness to a bargain war between two ladies about the hygienic state of their... "product" and also the price of implied services.