England's Cornwall Luxury Walk 6D5N (In The Footsteps Of King Arthur), Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet your tour leaders at 9 a.m. at the Exeter St Davids train station, located on Bonhay Road in Exeter, England. Please ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations.)

Hello, England! We convene in Exeter, a university town overflowing with culture and charm. Exeter was home to J.K. Rowling during her school days, leading many locals to claim that the city's aesthetic inspired the uniquely English blend of whimsy and magic portrayed in the Harry Potter books. It's an excellent place to spend extra time before or after your trip.

We get in the shuttle and head west to our playground for the week: Cornwall, a jagged green peninsula decorated with some of England's finest seas and landscapes (and weather!). We arrive in the village of Boscastle, a perfectly captivating introduction to Cornwall's whitewashed cottages and the starting point of our day's hearty hike. We begin with a hilly, undulating coastal route that climbs to headlands and watchtowers and descends to tidal blow holes and white-sand beaches. If you're a birdwatcher, watch for razorbills, guillemots and puffins. We catch views across the waters of Tintagel Island, where Merlin, the wizard, is rumoured to haunt the sea caves to this day. At the end of our trail, we arrive at an eye-catching suspension bridge that allows us to access the ruins of Tintagel Castle, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur and one of Britain's most spectacular historical sites. A local historian shares its fascinating 1500-year history with us.

We head back into the shuttle for a ride to Padstow and our restored Victorian hotel, which has occupied the area above the harbour for more than a century. The panoramas across a glistening bay of azure shallows and yellow sandbars might not be how you pictured the British isles, but the cosy English welcome is unmistakable. Later, we convene for a welcome reception and dinner of freshly caught seafood.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 2-3 hours walking, Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), 3-5 hours walking, Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft)

We set out to a jagged headland and plunge straight into history, hiking past WWI and WWII memorials before we arrive at GunPoint. The ruins here go back to the Napoleonic Wars, but this spot has been fortified to defend the island of Great Britain since the Spanish Armada. These are dangerous waters even in peacetime - offshore, there is the infamous Doom Bar, a sandbar responsible for hundreds of shipwrecks. Luckily, locals are equipped to protect English sailors from domestic dangers, as you'll witness when we hike past the lifeboat station built to rescue capsizing ships!

We carry on along the windswept coastal path, trailing the ups and downs of the headlands and passing collapsed sea caves. We end our hike at a famed surfing beach before arriving at our lunch spot, the gastropub of celebrity chef Rick Stein. Many of the ingredients in his traditional dishes are grown along the route we just climbed. You may have noticed margins of native plants and wildflowers between fields - it is part of the organic "Stewardship Scheme" to which local farms adhere.

We enjoy lunch and head to the local gin distillery, founded five generations ago. We relish a tour and indulge in tasting their award-winning flagship spirits there. A shuttle takes us to Hotel Tresanton, our home for the next two nights, and a verdant subtropical oasis in the village of St Mawes. On arrival, relax on the Mediterranean-style terrace just above the waterline or take a rejuvenating swim in the fresh Celtic Sea.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 2, Approx 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), Elevation gain: 244 m (800 ft)

Today's hike is nothing short of a treat, connecting the picturesque Cornish fishing villages of Portlo and Portscatho. Our local guide, famed as the Cornish Historian, will accompany us. He loves sharing his broad knowledge of the coastline's fascinating history as we explore the protected South Coast Central Area of Outstanding Beauty. Our coastal trail gives us expansive views of the patchwork of fields that runs right up to the edge of the sea cliffs. The horizon beyond is blue as far as the eyes can see. Hike steadily to the area's highest point, Nare's Head, holding more views along with WWII history. The wild coastline here was the site of a vast decoy village, complete with sets and lighting. It was constructed to distract Nazi bombers and protect Falmouth's strategic port, and it achieved that on the way—it was bombed over 700 times!

After the summit, we find our way, moving past sparkling coves and the golden beaches of Porthcurnick Pendower and Porthbean before getting to Portscatho village. You can savour a proper pint at a local pub before returning to St Mawes and the Tresanton. You'll get another opportunity to explore the spectacular offerings at our seaside resort before we dine together alfresco-style on the Nook Terrace, the hotel's gorgeous outdoor terrace overlooking the sunset-lit bay.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft)
Level 3, Approx 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

Today, we hike a hidden treasure at secluded Hemmick Beach, where our Cornish Historian joins us. We climb winding headlands with more signature Cornish panoramas of the Atlantic crashing upon cragged cliffs. The trail is covered in springy green grass cutting through slopes of ferns and heather as it follows the side of the Dodman Point, whose peak is crowned by a wind-weathered stone cross. Navigating the route of the South West Coastal Path, which traces the English shoreline for some 630 well-preserved miles. It is clear why the English boast of their extensive infrastructure for "rambling"- and why Cornwall is one of their favourite places to do it.

For lunch, we head to Gorran Haven, a collection of fishermen's cottages that have changed very little since days gone by. Here, we savour one of the most authentic fish and chips lunches on this side of the Channel. Energised, we hike through coastal scenery that continues to take a new form between scenic pastoral fields and wild, windswept moors.

The stunning town of Mevagissey (called "Meva" by the locals) is our destination. As a boat ferries us across the bay, watch for dancing dolphins or basking sharks as we cross our cliffside hotel. The Fowey Harbour Hotel on the Fowey's hillside is encompassed by gorgeously landscaped gardens and offers an expansive view over the estuary. Tonight, enjoy dinner independently in the stunning seaside town of Fowey (pronounced "Foy").

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 305 m (1,000 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 428 m (1,400 ft)

Today, our target is the famous Hall Walk, a loop trail that covers lovely lush woodlands and fields with a few views. We will use two local ferries, linking us from village to village as we traverse the Fowey estuary's waterside country.

Hopping the first of these across the estuary, we tour another jagged and winding coastline of breathtaking views. The dazzling white sands of Lantic Bay are the perfect culmination of our week's exceptional landscapes.

From the coast, we journey uphill and inland to the scenic village of Lansallos and wander through dense woodland forests and neglected churchyards, eventually making our way around the headland and ferry across the estuary to return to our home for the night.

We savour dinner at Fowey Harbour Hotel tonight and reminisce about our exciting week in one of England's most magic corners.

Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)

This morning, you can choose to conquer a less-travelled hike west to Coombe Haven Beach, the point of land directly flanking our Hotel and the Fowey Estuary. Our trail switches from woodlands to fields, passing the ruins of St Catherine's castle before bringing us to the hidden Coombe Haven beach. Breathe in the salty sea air or take pictures as we say our goodbyes to the wild Cornish coast.

You may also choose to soak up the sun as you lounge in a garden chair—you can sleep in and savour a leisurely breakfast accompanied by a heartwarming view. A final shuttle returns us to Exeter, where we say our goodbyes and the trip ends.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.