Devon Coast to Coast Tour

This arrangement is a true cycling exploration. It covers the Devon Coast to Coast cycle route, which is developing into a must do amongst UK cyclists. Most of the route is on well maintained cycle paths on dismantled railway lines, offering great views of the Devon countryside. The total distance is relatively small, meaning it is possible to cycle the route as a mini break when you are an enthusiastic cyclist, but the route is also ideal for novice cyclists and children who would like to have a relaxed active holiday for a week. You can choose between a Budget package with hostel/bunkhouse accommodation and a Deluxe B&B package. We also now offer electric bike hire on this route.

Route Summary:

Whatever your means of transport, in Exeter you'll board the Tarka Line train. At Barnstaple station we will transfer you to your first B&B accommodation, where you can check in from 4 pm onwards. If you are renting bikes via us, we will deliver them to the doorstep of the B&B the next morning. Being all set now for the ride, you start cycling on the traffic-free Tarka Trail to hit the North Devon Coast at Instow, where you can enjoy the scenic, slightly inland beach. Just around the corner is pretty Bideford, the gateway to the splendid Atlantic beach of Westward Ho!

From Westward Ho! you will return to Bideford to rejoin the Tarka Trail. The dismantled railway route follows the beautiful Torridge valley and criss-crosses the river several times. You also cycle through a former railway tunnel. It doesn't take long before you get the feeling you are away from it all. If you book our 5/6 day arrangement you will have an overnight stay in the middle of the Devon countryside in an ecologically low-impact bunkhouse accommodation.

Near the attractive small town of Hatherleigh you get off the Tarka Trail to follow a route along quiet country lanes with great views of Dartmoor on the horizon. You also cycle across Abbeyford Forest before you make your way to Okehampton. This town is in the heartland of Devon and a major hub for those who want to explore Dartmoor National Park; its high steep slopes dwarf the buildings in the town, such as the impressive ruins of the local castle.

The next dismantled railway route is the Granite Way which guides you across some impressive railway viaducts, offering you superb views of Dartmoor. You'll pass Lydford Castle and Brent Tor before arriving in Tavistock. This touristy place filled with plenty of shopping opportunities is the birth place of Sir Francis Drake and you won't be surprised to hear that the route now continues via the Drake's Trail, another dismantled railway path with great railway viaducts.

The final section of the route is the Plym Valley Trail. This traffic-free route leads through a wooded valley on the southwestern edge of Dartmoor, guiding you to Plymouth's seafront. You finish the ride in Plymouth Hoe, the pleasant old part of Plymouth, located on a pretty bay along the English Channel. Your B&B accommodation is within walking distance of the city, old harbour and seafront. Rental bikes will be collected during the evening. The next morning you'll be transferred by taxi to Plymouth's station from where you take the train back to Exeter.

Check your Cycling Profile:

This arrangement is designed for both enthusiastic cyclists (2/3 days of cycling) and novice cyclists and families with children who like to take their cycling easy (5/6 days of cycling). Most of the route is on traffic-free paths along the courses of dismantled railways without steep gradients. However, the links between these paths are made by some quiet country lanes on which you will encounter both very steep climbs and steep descents. As long you are fit and happy to walk your bike along these stretches (up to half a mile per stretch) you can do the Devon Coast to Coast. Note that children should be supervised by an adult at all times. We also expect them to be able to cycle according to Bikeability Level 2 of the National Standard. If you are unsure, please contact us.

Our bike hire partner has aluminum frame comfort bikes available with semi-slick tyres, ideal for off-road and on-road usage. All rental bikes have at least 18 gears, mud guards and luggage racks are fitted on adult bikes for your convenience. The use of a helmet is also included in the rental price. We also have now electric bikes available for hire on the tour with 5 or 6 days of cycling. These German Kalkhoff E-bikes come with 6 gears and 3 modes of power (low/medium/high), naturally fitted with mud guards and luggage racks.

If you bring your own bikes, bear in mind the route is not suitable for racing bicycles with narrow tyres as there are some sections of gravel tracks. It is wise to use a bike with at least 18 gears. This makes it possible to deal with the occasional steep climb.

Overview cycling times (estimated at easy pace) 5 cycling days:
Day 1: Train transfer Exeter - Barnstaple
Day 2: Barnstaple - Westward Ho!: 2 hours
Day 3: Westward Ho! - Petersmarland: 3 hours
Day 4: Petersmarland - Okehampton: 4 hours
Day 5: Okehampton - Tavistock: 3 hours
Day 6: Tavistock - Plymouth: 3 hours
Day 7: Train transfer Plymouth - Exeter

Overview cycling times (estimated at easy pace) 2 cycling days:
Day 1: Train transfer Exeter - Barnstaple
Day 2: Barnstaple - Okehampton: 5 hours (via Westward Ho! beach 2 hours extra)
Day 3: Okehampton - Plymouth: 5 hours
Day 4: Train transfer Plymouth - Exeter

For both itineraries an extra day of cycling can be added with an extra overnight stay in Barnstaple. This allows you to take the Surf and Cycle Bus to majestic Woolacombe Beach from where you can cycle back to Barnstaple (2.5 hours estimated at easy pace). This is the most northern section of the Devon Coast to Coast route, for those who want to go "all the way". Keen cyclists who would also consider a serious walk on the South West Coast Path in combination with the Coast to Coast cycle route should look into our Devon & Somerset Explorer Tour.

When can you start:

The 5 cycling days arrangement always starts on a Sunday and finishes a week later on the next Saturday. If you wish to add an extra cycle day the arrangement will start on Saturday instead of Sunday. You'll need to book the 5 cycling days arrangement at least four weeks in advance.

You can start the 2 cycling days arrangement on any day you like. You'll need to book the 2 cycling days arrangement at least three weeks in advance.

Prices Budget package (5 cycling days):

£350 per first adult
£330 per any additional adult
£315 per first child (under 16s)
£275 per any additional child (under 16s)

Included are:
- 2 nights of luxury Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- 4 nights of basic hostel/bunkhouse accommodation (*)
- Route Book and maps
- Train tickets Exeter St. Davids-Barnstaple and Plymouth-Exeter St. Davids (no seat reservation, off peak trains only)
- Transfers in Barnstaple and Plymouth between B&B accommodations and stations
- High visibility vests
- Emergency assistance when required
- VAT

(*) You'll stay 2 nights in hostels of the YHA network and 2 nights in independent bunkhouse accommodation. Breakfasts are not included and must be purchased separately. You'll sleep in dormitory rooms of up to 8 beds (usually bunk beds). Toilets and showers are shared with other guests and might not be in the dorm room. Only on bookings for 4 people it is possible to have your own family room (subject to availability). YHA-dorm rooms are strictly one gender only, so when staying in dorm rooms with children, the parent or guardian must be of the same sex. Dorm rooms of the bunkhouse accommodations will be mixed gender rooms. Well equipped kitchens are available for you to cook your own meals (except in Tavistock).

Not included are:
- Entrance fees for museums and attractions
- All food, snacks and drinks (except breakfast in Barnstaple and Plymouth B&Bs)
- The return journey between your home and Exeter
- Luggage transport between accommodations
- Bicycle Rental
- All extra costs related to emergency assistance
- Travel and Cancellation Insurances

Scroll down for prices of extra options (like bicycle rental and luggage transport)

Prices Deluxe B&B package (5 cycling days):

£499 per person for booking by one person only
£389 per person for booking by two people
£369 per person for booking by three people
£349 per person for booking by four people
£339 per person for booking by five people

Included are:
- 5 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- 1 night of basic bunkhouse accommodation including breakfast (*)
- Route Book and maps
- Train tickets Exeter St. Davids-Barnstaple and Plymouth-Exeter St. Davids (no seat reservation, off peak trains only)
- Transfers in Barnstaple and Plymouth between B&B accommodations and stations
- High visibility vests
- Emergency assistance when required
- VAT

Prices are based on people sharing rooms in Bed & Breakfasts. On a booking for 3 people or more we expect 2 people to share a double bed.

(*) At one accommodation you'll sleep in bunk beds. You'll have to share rooms and facilities with other guests. Only on bookings of 4 people or more we’ll be able to book a separate room for you.

Not included are:
- Entrance fees for museums and attractions
- Lunch / Dinner / Additional Drinks and Snacks
- The return journey between your home and Exeter
- Luggage transport between accommodations
- Bicycle Rental
- All extra costs related to emergency assistance
- Travel and Cancellation Insurances

Prices extra options (5 cycling days):

Bicycle Rental:
£210 per person for booking by one person only
£135 per person for booking by two people
£110 per person for booking by three people
£100 per person for booking by four people
£90 per person for booking by five people

These charges include a drop off service at the B&B accommodation in Barnstaple and a pick up service in the B&B in Plymouth.

Electric Bike Rental:
£268 per person for booking by one person only
£184 per person for booking by two people
£153 per person for booking by three people
£130 per person for booking by four people

These charges include a drop off service at the B&B accommodation in Barnstaple and a pick up service in the B&B in Plymouth.

Pannier bag rental:
£15 per set of two bags

Daily luggage transport service:
£340 per party (£256 per party if you also rent bicycles via us)

Extra night accommodation in Barnstaple (6 days of cycling instead of 5):
£45 per person (accommodation only)
£60 per person (including extra day bike hire)
£65 per person (including extra day electric bike hire)

Note if you wish to take the Barnstaple-Woolacombe Surf and Cycle bus on the extra day you'll need to pay the bus fare yourself.

Prices 2 cycling days (B&B package only):

£299 per person for booking by one person only
£249 per person for booking by two people
£239 per person for booking by three people
£229 per person for booking by four people
£219 per person for booking by five people

Included are:
- 3 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- Route Book and maps
- Train tickets Exeter St. Davids-Barnstaple and Plymouth-Exeter St. Davids (no seat reservation, off peak trains only)
- Transfers in Barnstaple and Plymouth between B&B accommodations and stations
- High visibility vests
- Emergency assistance when required
- VAT

Prices are based on people sharing rooms in Bed & Breakfasts. On a booking for 3 people or more we expect 2 people to share a double bed.

Not included are:
- Entrance fees for museums and attractions
- Lunch / Dinner / Additional Drinks and Snacks
- The return journey between your home and Exeter
- Luggage transport between accommodations
- Bicycle Rental
- All extra costs related to emergency assistance
- Travel and Cancellation Insurances

Prices extra options (2 cycling days):

Bicycle Rental:
£180 per person for booking by one person only
£110 per person for booking by two people
£80 per person for booking by three people
£70 per person for booking by four people
£60 per person for booking by five people

These charges include a drop off service at the B&B accommodation in Barnstaple and a pick up service in the B&B in Plymouth.

Pannier bag rental:
£6 per set of two bags

Daily luggage transport service::
£150 per party (£66 per party if you also rent bicycles via us)

Extra night accommodation in Barnstaple (3 days of cycling instead of 2):
£45 per person (accommodation only)
£60 per person (including extra day bike hire)
Note if you wish to take the Barnstaple-Woolacombe Surf and Cycle bus on the extra day you'll need to pay the bus fare yourself.

Travel Information:

By train: We recommend you travel to Exeter by train. First Great Western runs a direct link with London Paddington. Cross Country Trains also serves Exeter with a good connection to Birmingham and beyond. Both companies carry bicycles for free, but reservations are recommended. Total travel time from London to Exeter St. Davids station: approximately 3 hours.

By plane: If you travel from further afield, Exeter Airport is the airport to which to fly. The airport is the hub of carrier FlyBE. Take a bus to Exeter St. Davids station or a taxi to Digby and Sowton station to continue by train from there to St. Davids station. Total travel time from Exeter Airport to Exeter St. Davids station: approximately 1 hour.

By car: Exeter is located on the M5-corridor. Note the Exeter St. Davids station car park is expensive for long stay parking. The housing estates west of the station and Exe river offer free on-road parking and are approximately a 20 minute walk away from the station. You could also park your car on-road in a housing estate nearby Digby & Sowton station and take the the train to Exeter St. Davids station from there. Take exit 30 on the M5 and follow signs to the Blue Park & Ride Car Park at Sowton (no overnight parking!), then to Digby & Sowton station. Total travel time from London to Exeter St. Davids station: approximately 4.5 hours.