Devon and Cornwall honeymoon planner
You might not think of it as a honeymoon destination, but for couples that love adventure and hidden gems, the Devon and Cornwall Honeymoon Route is perfect for you! As you drive around this historic part of England you'll see landmarks, go on coastal walks with spectacular views, and most importantly make some great memories!
We've done our best to recommend fun, romantic things for you to get up to on your honeymoon, but sometimes the best places are hidden down winding country lanes, off the beaten path. If you want to stop somewhere not on the map then do it - exploring by yourselves is sometimes the best part of your trip! Compared to our other long routes, the drive time between stops is short and leaves ample time to take in your surroundings and enjoy a romantic beach BBQ or a fabulous meal in some famous restaurants.
We recommend you take at least a week to get the best out of this trip, but even if you explored for an entire month you wouldn't run out of things to see and do.
1st Stop - Salcombe
Wilton Farm Campsite
260 miles, 4 hrs 38 min
If you’re new to the South West, Salcombe is a great place to enjoy your first taste of a Devonshire seaside town. Though it looks remote, it's full of romantic honeymoon activites for newlyweds!
If you’re travelling at the right time of year why not drop by Overbeck’s Garden? There’s a rich history surrounding this National Trust gem for you to explore, along with unique plants, an art collection, and food!
For a romantic meal out, you have several choices. Dick & Wills specialise in local produce and seafood. You don’t need to book in advance to dine here, so if you’re feeling spontaneous this is the place to go. Be sure to take full advantage of their wine consultant to make sure your drink perfectly complements the meal!
Harbour Hotel Spa is the perfect place to relax, with their wide selection of luxury treatments. While you're at the harbour, try and spot the local seal that lives there!
Serious foodies will enjoy a day out at the Food and Drink trail. If you're more partial to wine, visit Sharpham Vineyard. The vineyard offers wine and cheese tasting sessions, though you’ll need to book in advance as its in high demand. Perhaps one of their wines will be your first choice for celebrating all your anniversaries and other special occasions to come.
Recommended camp site
Wilton Farm Campsite
Wilton Farm Campsite
Kingsbridge
TQ7 2RR
wiltonfarmcamping@gmail.com
01548 843635
07974 242329
Description
Only a five minute drive away from Salcombe, the campsite and working farm enjoys unobscured views of the coast and surrounding area of natural beauty. Wilton Farm is quiet, but it offers lots of amenities like free wifi, ice pack freezing, and a facilities block with underfloor heating to keep you warm in winter.
For a classic day on the beach, Hope Cove is perfect with picturesque scenery and facilities close by. It's a gorgeous, secluded landscape to spend a day out, with a good mix of sandy and rocky areas giving you the best of both worlds. Dogs are welcome if they’re well behaved and on leads, but please be aware that there is a seasonal dog ban on the nearby Mouthwell beach from May to September.
The Seacombe Sands walk is four miles along the gorgeous Salcombe Estuary. You can get to the start point by car or take the ferry from Salcombe to East Portlemouth jetty! The terrain itself can get a bit steep and rocky in places, so take care, especially if it’s muddy. There are several places along the route where you can stop and take in the view, and we recommend doing so at every opportunity to capture those honeymoon selfies.
Amenities
Dog friendly (well behaved dogs are welcome if kept on leads!)
Electric hook up & free wifi
Newly built toilet and shower block, with a wet room
Coin operated laundry facilities
2nd Stop - Polperro
The Oaks Holiday Park 41.6 miles, 1 hr 9 min
Across Tamar Bridge lies the historic village of Polperro, said to be one of the most romantic villages in Cornwall, and you'll fall in love with its architecture on arrival.
If you'd prefer, spend a night in a dreamy holiday cottage (Shell Cottage is the most well-known, but you definitely have to book in advance to stay there!)
With atmospheric restaurants abound, you won't be short on options for a meal out! If you want a more traditional pub with a 'pirate' feel, be sure to visit the highly-rated House on the Props or Smugglers Cott.
Polperro Museum Tea Room is a lovely, sunny spot to enjoy an afternoon cream tea. It overlooks the harbour, so you can watch the boats and fishermen going about their day but we strongly recommend an afternoon van-nap afterwards.
Recommended camp site
The Oaks Holiday Park
Bucklawren Road
No Mans Land
Looe
Cornwall
PL13 1QR
info@theoaksholidaypark.co.uk
01503 240352
Description
Just past the outskirts of coastal fishing town Looe, in No Mans Land, lies The Oaks Holiday Park among gorgeous scenery and wildlife. Birdwatchers will be thrilled to know that with a bit of luck you can spot sparrow hawks, kestrels, buzzards and barn owls - right from the comfort of the campsite. There's a mile-long dog walk around the field for your pooch to enjoy, but please remember that they need to be kept on leads!
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Polperro Model Village and Land of Legend, which makes for a unique photo oppotunity where you can pretend there's a giant dog attacking! It's a great memento, and no doubt tons of fun to do.
There's no shortage of places to go for a romantic walk on the beach - the South West Coast Path is 630 miles of historic natural beauty. The numerous coves that you'll discover along the beach are all part of the town's smuggling days. You might stroll along and explore Polperro Harbour, or if you're particularly adventurous, go swimming in Chapel Rock Tidal Pool.
Amenities
Dog Friendly
Newly built toilet and shower block
Drinking water point
Grey water & chemical waste disposal
3rd stop - The Lizard
Henry's Campsite 69.5 miles, 1hr 45 min
You've driven as far south as you can get on the British mainland, well done! Celebrate this however you choose - there's a lot you can get up to! For example, if you're partial to a bit of scuba diving, definitely do it here! The Lizard has some exceptional ocean depths you can explore.
With exceptional views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lizard Point is a must see. After you've finished here, there's a beach nearby that you can walk the dog on!
You'll need to book tickets in advance to visit Trebah Garden, but its well worth the trouble! There's so much to see and do we can't write it all down here, so check out the website to see what events are on during your stay.
Very adventurous honeymooners can go to Kynance Cove, which is beautiful and great fun - but make sure you listen to local safety guidance before you venture out.
Recommended camp site
Henry's Campsite
The Lizard
Helston
Cornwall
TR12 7NX
info@henryscampsite.co.uk
01326 290596
Description
If you've read our other Cornwall route you'll recognise Henry's Campsite! It's not your traditional honeymoon destination but its strangely wonderful and makes for a memorable experience. The site is located at the top of Caerthillan Valley and only a ten minute walk from coastal paths.
The Cornwall climate allows more exotic plants and flowers to flourish, and they play a part in the campsite's overall charm. Every pitch is unique - some more open, some partially walled. Henry's Campsite really is a place like no other.
If you like, en route you can stop off at Mevagissey, a lovely harbourside village with galleries and trinket shops! The streets are narrow, but don't worry - there's campervan parking on the village outskirts. This would be a dreamy lunch spot for a couple of newlyweds to have a picnic and enjoy a Cornish ice cream together!
Amenities
Dog friendly
Electric hook up and WiFi lounge
Toilet and Shower Block
Shop on site
Laundrette, kitchen area
4th stop - Lands End
Stream Valley Holiday Park 25.3 miles, 46 min
We recommend parking at Cape Cornwall and doing the walk down to Land's End Landmark. Yes, this is where you'll get your photo next to the Land's End sign, but there's plenty more to do than that! Just one mile away is the breathtaking fishing village of Sennen Cove, and the encapsulating area of natural beauty West Penwith offers some beautiful photo oppotunities.
Of course you'll also want to visit the award winning Eden Project, which is the world's largest indoor rainforest!
Recommended camp site
Stream Valley Holiday Park
Stream Valley Holiday Park
Heamoor
Penzance
TR208UJ
streamvalleycamping@aol.com
07799 691112
Description
One of the highest-rated campsites in the area, Stream Valley has a plethora of amenities at your disposal - more than we can list here, in fact. There's also a local shop and a chippy!
While you're here, visit the neighbouring coastal town of St Ives - even if its just for the famous beach (rated one of the top ten in Europe by TripAdvisor.) This is also an optimal time to pick up some souvenirs from one of the independent gift & trinket shops in the main town.
The Tate St Ives. is probably the next biggest tourist attraction after the beach. If you like galleries then definitely look into this one! If not, then dress up for selfies instead because the building and it's backdrop will make for amazing honeymoon photos.
Amenities
Dog friendly
Laundrette and dish washing area
Toilets and showers
Fully serviced motorhome pitches
5th stop - Trevose Head
Music Water Touring Park 44.2 miles, 1hr 2 min
Trevose Head is much quieter than the hustle and bustle of the coastal towns you've been staying in. While there's not much here in terms of shops or tourist attractions, there's a quiet beauty to the landscape and tons of coastal walks you can explore.
The most well-known place here is the Trevose Head Lighthouse, which is worth a visit and some photos! Take the National Trust Booby's Bay Walk to get there.
If you want more noise, though, head over to the nearby fishing port Padstow - hometown of celebrity chef Rick Stein, who has four restaurants here. Padstow is also only a ten minute walk from the ocean, so if you'd like to try some watersports this is a prime spot!
Rock is where many wealthy people are known to holiday - the Rothschilds and the Sainsburys, to name a few. Visit here for five star food, but don't be surprised if it's pricey!
Recommended camp site
Music Water Touring Park
Music Water Touring Park
Rumford
Nr Padstow
Cornwall
PL27 7SJ
info@musicwatertouringpark.co.uk
01841 540257
Description
Music Water Touring Park is a quiet, family run campsite in North Cornwall, near Padstow. It's very well equipped with everything you'll need for a fantastic stay! Dogs are welcome here, too.
The drive to Trevose Head takes you past the lively surfing town of Newquay. It's a popular choice with young holiday-makers, with a variety of bars, pubs and nightclubs, so if you'd like a fun night out this is the place! For the surfers among you, it's also home to the famous Fistral Beach.
A romantic bike ride is a staple of many honeymoons. The Camel Trail cycle route doesn't sound particularly dreamy on paper, but it will be a great day out for you and your partner. The 17 mile trail is the most popular bike route in Cornwall, with over half a million people flocking here every year. And don't worry if you aren't an Olympic cyclist - there's oppotunities to stop and take a break at the pubs or cafes along the way.
Amenities
Dog friendly
Electric hook up (service pitches)
Toilet and shower block
Swimming pool
Laundrette and washing-up room
6th stop - Hartland
Willow Valley 37.4 miles, 54 min
You might not think so from the sharp, rocky terrain and dramatic cliffsides, but Hartland is a sanctuary for plant and flower lovers. The RHS Garden Rosemoor boasts world-class horticulture and a variety of areas, from the Hot Garden to the Rose Garden. There’s even woodland for you to explore! Rosemoor has food and drink available, but if you want a more tucked-away, homey feel, visit Docton Mills Garden and Tea Room. It’s ranked as the best cream tea in Devon, and the best tearoom in North Devon. They use all local produce, and their tearoom is heaven to visit after a long explore of the wildflower garden.
A short ferry ride leads to the nearby Lundy Island. It’s only three miles long, but it’s packed full of picturesque scenery. If you really fall in love with the island, you can stay overnight and see the stars in the sky with no light pollution!
Speke’s Mill Mouth walk is four miles of breathtaking hanging valleys. There’s waterfalls, streams and wildflower banks all along the coastal path for you to gaze at, and perhaps share a romantic kiss under. It’s rare that you get the chance to be in a real-life James Bond scene, so take advantage! Speaking of films, this romantic Hartland outpost was used in films like Treasure Island and Solomon Kane. Make time in your itinerary for this spectacular walk steeped in tradition and history!
For a day out in a historical coastal town visit Clovelly, a cliffside fishing village. Vehicle traffic isn’t allowed on the cobbles, so instead people carry their shopping by sled. There are tons of activities to get up to, from walking around the museum to seeing the Clovelly Donkeys!
Recommended camp site
Willow Valley Holiday Park
Willow Valley Holiday Park
Bush, Bude
Cornwall
EX23 9LB
chris@willow-valley.co.uk
01288 353104
Description
Willow Valley is a gorgeous campsite in an area of outstanding natural beauty. With four acres of surrounding land for you to discover - and walk the dog through - you'll have tons of fun here! There's even a converted school bus for you to stay in, if you're so inclined.
For a lovely, scenic walk, you can take the route from Hartland Point to Hartland Quay. Nearby is Hartland Quay Hotel, which was built in the 16th century and is a great place to stop for lunch before heading down the steep path to the beach. Remember that once you're down there you'll have to walk back up the hill!
If you still haven't had your fill of historical estates, go and explore Hartland Abbey! It was built in 1157 and has plenty of personality to it. The Old Kitchens Tea Room offers a variety of tasty food to sate the appetite you worked up!
Amenities
Dog-friendly
Toilet & shower block
Small on site shop
Laundry facilities
Stopover suggestion
Why not break your journey?
For your final night in your campervan, we've recommended the lovely Ketch Caravan Park, situated alongside the River Severn.
Taking it more slowly lets you avoid motorways and take the scenic route. Maybe you'll even have enough time to stop on your way back and have a late breakfast!
Try not to overexert yourselves - remember that it's often the quieter, unplanned moments that really make the trip your own. If you rush and try to do too much on your last day, you'll be worrying about getting it all done for your entire honeymoon!
Ketch Caravan Park
Bath Rd
Broomhall
Worcester
WR5 3HW
info@theketchcaravanpark.co.uk
01905 820202
Description
The surrounding area is chock full of fun activities for you to do on your last day!
Take walks down The Malvern Hills for the incline and stunning views, or stroll through a few of the 200 acres that make up Bringsty Common.
If you're feeling a bit tired, that's okay too - for people wanting a calmer atmosphere, why not take a gentle walk down the banks of the River Severn.
And if you like art, pop down to the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum to gaze upon the masterpieces!
Amenities
Dog-friendly
Nearby shops and pubs
Toilet and shower block
On site fishing