Devon Coast to Coast

This arrangement 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 or so. It is possible to book in an optional surfing session on the splendid Atlantic beaches of North Devon as well.

Tour Summary:

Whatever your means of transport, in Exeter you'll board the train for Barnstaple. This is the Tarka Line, which takes you through the scenic Taw valley in about an hour or so. At Barnstaple station we will transfer you by taxi to your first B&B accommodation, where you can check in from 4 pm onwards. People are welcome to bring their own bikes, meaning you carry the bike on the train yourself and also cycle from Barnstaple station to the B&B, less than a mile away.

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 leave Barnstaple via the traffic-free Tarka Trail along the wide Taw estuary. You 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! This is the place to take a surfing lesson, which are also open for children of 8 years and over. If you are an experienced surfer you are welcome to hire a wetsuit and surfboard directly from our surfing partner. If you prefer to stay dry, a walk along the wide beach is a must!

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 long arrangement you will have an overnight stay in the middle of the Devon countryside in an ecologically low-impact bunkhouse accommodation near Petersmarland. If you are on our short arrangement you can still get into the spirit of this special place by having a break in the cafe, operated by the same management.

Another option for a lunch break is the attractive small town of Hatherleigh. You are off the Tarka Trail now and you 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 without any serious climbing to take in. A bit further down the route castle enthusiasts will be further satisfied by the still standing Lydford Castle 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, a combination of cycle paths on dismantled railway sections and scenic country lanes.

The final section of the route is the Plym Valley Trail. This traffic-free route, also on a dismantled railway leads through a wooded valley on the southwestern edge of Dartmoor, guiding you to Plymouth's seafront without having to navigate across the whole city. 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. It also has a licensed bar, offering plenty of opportunities to celebrate the completion of your coast to coast!

Don't forget rented bikes will be collected from the Plymouth B&B from 5 pm onwards, so make sure you finish the ride on time. The next morning we will transfer you by taxi to Plymouth's station. People with their own bikes will be provided with a traffic-calmed cycle route to the station, less than a mile away. The one hour train ride from Plymouth back to Exeter includes the famous scenic section between Newton Abbot and Exeter, where the railway line is right next to the sea. The arrangement finishes around noon when the train arrives at Exeter St. Davids station.

The 7 or 8 day arrangement (5 days of cycling) always starts on a Sunday. You can start the 4 day arrangement (2 days of cycling) on any day you like, unless you want to include a stay at Westward Ho! (3 days of cycling) In that situation you can only start the arrangement from Sunday until Wednesday. Check the individual itineraries below for more clarity regarding day distances etc.

Check your Cycling Profile:

This arrangement is designed for both enthusiastic cyclists (2 or 3 days of cycling) and novice cyclists and children who like to take their cycling easy (5 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 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. These stretches are not characteristic for the whole route and again, most of the time you will be cycling on reasonably flat cycle ways. Scroll down for average travel times which include walking on steep sections.

The Tour is open to children providing they have the physical and mental strength to deal with the mileage and conditions as described. Of course they must be very keen to cycle and they should be supervised by an adult at all times. We also expect them to be able to cycle according the Bikeability Level 2 of the National Standard. If you are unsure, please contact us.

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

The 3 Cycling Days Arrangement includes an extra overnight stay at Westward Ho! In this alternative itinerary the first day of cycling is pretty relaxed. The stretch between Barnstaple and Westward Ho! is easily completed within 2 hours, leaving the rest of the day open for surfing sessions or long beach walks at Westward Ho! The second day of cycling consists of the stretch from Westward Ho! to Okehampton and should not take more than 5 hours of cycling. Note the total days of the arrangement would stretch to 5 instead of 4.

Arrangement: 5 Cycling Days - cycling times (estimated at easy pace):
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

It is possible to extend this arrangement with an extra overnight stay at Westward Ho! In this way you'll have a full day for surfing sessions or long beach walks at Westward Ho! If you are renting bikes from us you'll also have access to these bikes on the extra day. Note the total days of the arrangement would stretch than to 8 instead of 7.

If you bring your own bicycle it is important to know that 90% of this route is on tarmac. There are some short sections of gravel and grass as well. If you bring a racing bicycle with narrow tyres you have to be prepared to walk and even carry your bike across the gravel and grass sections! Please also note you need at least 18 gears on this tour.

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 for your convenience. The use of a helmet is also included in the rental price.

Prices:

Prices - 2 cycling days/3 nights accommodation:

Booking for 1 person: £ 349
Booking for 2 people: £ 269 per person
Booking for 3 people: £ 259 per person
Booking for 4 people: £ 249 per person
Booking for 5 people: £ 239 per person

Prices - 5 cycling days/6 nights accommodation:

Booking for 1 person: £ 509
Booking for 2 people: £ 359 per person
Booking for 3 people: £ 349 per person
Booking for 4 people: £ 339 per person
Booking for 5 people: £ 329 per person

Prices are based on people sharing rooms. On a booking for 3 people or more we expect at least 2 people to be sharing a double bed.

Included are:

- 3 or 6 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation (#)
- Route Book and maps
- Train tickets on routes Exeter St. Davids-Barnstaple and Plymouth-Exeter St. Davids (*)
- Taxi rides in Barnstaple and Plymouth between B&B accommodations and stations (*)
- High visibility vests
- Emergency assistance when required
- VAT

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
- Surf sessions at Westward Ho!
- All extra costs related to emergency assistance
- Travel and Cancellation Insurances

(#) All our B&B accommodation offers more than standard services, except the ecologically low-impact bunkhouse accommodation near Petersmarland. You will only stay here on the tour with 6 nights of accommodation. Toilets and showers are basic and you'll sleep in bunk beds. You also might have to share rooms and facilities with other guests, but we'll do our best to book a separate room for you, which becomes easier if you book for multiple people.

(*) Our train tickets don't include a seat reservation. Also, if you bring your own bicycles, there is no reservation in the train tickets for bikes. First Great Western railways take bicycles on their services for free, but you can be asked to wait for a next train if the train is full. You are responsible for the transport of your own bikes yourself. We also expect you to ride your own bikes from Barnstaple station to the Barnstaple B&B accommodation and from the Plymouth B&B accommodation to Plymouth station whilst also carrying your other luggage. As you won't be using our taxi service you will receive a discount.

 

Prices Optional Extras

Bicycle Rental:
Booking for 1 person: £179 (2 cycling days) of £229 (5 cycling days)
Booking for 2 people: £119 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £169 p.p. (5 cycling days)
Booking for 3 people: £109 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £159 p.p. (5 cycling days)
Booking for 4 people: £99 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £149 p.p. (5 cycling days)
Booking for 5 people: £89 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £139 p.p. (5 cycling days)

The charges above are including a drop off service at the B&B accommodation in Barnstaple and pick up service in the B&B in Plymouth.

Daily Luggage Transport:
Booking for 1 person: £220 (2 cycling days) of £358 (5 cycling days)
Booking for 2 people: £110 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £179 p.p. (5 cycling days)
Booking for 3 people: £74 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £120 p.p. (5 cycling days)
Booking for 4 people: £55 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £90 p.p. (5 cycling days)
Booking for 5 people: £44 p.p. (2 cycling days) of £72 p.p. (5 cycling days)

You'll receive a discount for booking both bicycle rental and daily luggage transport. Note daily luggage transport is only offered between accommodations. On the train rides from and to Exeter you take care of all your belongings yourself.

Extra night accommodation in Westward Ho!:
Booking for 1 person: £40
Booking for 2 people or more: £30 per person
Prices are based on people sharing rooms. On a booking for 3 people or more we expect at least 2 people to be sharing a double bed. If you also use our bike rental you have to add an additional £15 per person for an extra day of bike hire.

Surfing session in Westward Ho!:
We can book you in for a surfing session at a professional surf school at Westward Ho! The group lessons take approximately 2 hours. You will be supplied with a wetsuit, surfboard and other essentials. Costs are £30 per person. If you want to do surfing on your own and only want to rent equipment please make arrangements with the surf school directly.

Pannier bag rental:

We can provide you with quality pannier bags for rear luggage racks. Rental charges are £5 per day for a set of two bags.

Travel Information:

By train: We recommend you travel to Exeter by train. First Great Western runs a direct link with London Paddington and the journey time is approximately 2 hr 30 minutes. Cross Country Trains also serves Exeter St. Davids Station with a good connection to Birmingham and beyond. Both companies carry bicycles for free. For Cross Country Trains it is advisable to make a reservation for your bike(s) by phoning 0844 8110124.

By plane: If you travel from further afield, Exeter Airport is the airport to fly to. The airport is a major hub of carrier FlyBe. Travel by bus or taxi from the airport to Exeter St. Davids Station, journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

By car: Exeter is located on the M5-corridor. Travelling by car might be convenient, but be advised that the car park at Exeter St Davids station is expensive for long stay parking. The housing estates west of the station and Exe river offer free on-road parking at your own risk, and are approximately a 20 minute walk away from the station. You might like to use Exeter's Park & Ride services, which offers free parking - you only have to pay for the bus. The Honiton Park & Ride is close to the M5, bus journey time to Exeter St. Davids station is approximately 30 minutes.