This looks like a more viable option! Some comments:
- Remember that in Scotland it rains. A lot! Don't even think of attempting Ben Nevis in bad weather. I believe there was a cycling map of the mountain which was innaccurate and someone ended up riding off the side of it in fog. It might not be huge by mountain standards, but it's very much a proper mountain. Fort William is a great base for Ben Nevis and Skye though.
- Edinburgh is a wonderful city. Spending a couple of days in Edinburgh is a good idea!
- Virgin run a cross country service that goes between Edinburgh and Southampton Central, from where you can pick up trains to Weymouth in Dorset. Alternatively you can change at Reading and take a train to Exeter, Bath, Bristol or Cardiff.
- Exmoor is beautiful but hard to reach on public transport, as is Dartmoor. Closest you can get to Exmoor is either Barnstaple or Taunton. The major attraction of Exmoor is its coast with the highest sea cliffs in Britain, major colonies of nesting seabirds and cute little villages, the largest of which is Lynmouth. The walks around the Watersmeet Valley, owned by the National Trust, are among my favourites in England. At the risk of being controversial I'd seriously recommend Exmoor over the Lakes and the Peaks. Fewer people, especially foreign tourists, go there (Apart strangely from the Dutch - I've met loads of you guys on Exmoor!) and the people are friendly and the scenery magnificent. It gives me a warm glow just thinking about it, and moving to Bristol soon I'll be within striking distance of the place. Seriously, my family went on holiday there for 12 successive years; we couldn't get enough. I've trekked in the Andes and Patagonia, gone deep into the Amazon and watched geysers on Iceland but the view into the Watersmeet Valley from County Gate is still one of my favourite in the world. In fact you'd be better off stopping at Bristol and Bath and then moving on to Barnstaple and Exmoor than traipsing all the way into Cornwall (Which is a world unto itself. Some people there want to devolve like Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland!). You'll have less distance to cover coming back for one thing. In fact, if you go between May and August consider taking a boat trip out to Lundy island from Ilfracombe where you can see puffins! What am I trying to say here? Exmoor is great! I didn't get a job with the Exmoor tourist board, honestly.
- Although I have waxed lyrical about Exmoor, the Lake District is beautiful (If busy) and the Peaks are also lovely (although I haven't been there myself yet). But Exmoor does better cream teas and that's what it's all about ultimately!
DD
Cornwall is well worth visiting and St Ives is a good choice. If Lands End is too touristy for you, I recommend nearby St Just as it has great views. If you do stop in Lynmouth, Devon, go to the Valley of Rocks as well.
The southwest still is a tough choice after reading a lot of different opinions! DD I will consider exmoor in the morning and read a bit more about it. St. Ives too... to much for this few days =[
Bristol & Bath
Exmoor
St. Ives
A pity the traintrips take quite long in that area, right?
-Don
I would like to agree with the posters that St Ives is a gorgeous town. Several fantastic beaches (for every type of beach lover), wonderful restaurants and gorgeous coastal walks nearby.
I actually haven't been in several years but it is without a doubt my favourite place in GB.
plans return trip...
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