Joni from Illinois

Bristol is big and busy Joni..... (Oh no, don't go there). Not a place that I could recommend. Devon and Cornwall? That's a different matter......lovely!!

What camera did you buy?

Hi Joni, what an exciting count-down. 

I am sure that the Tourist Information offices in any of the places you visit would be able to advise on tours (buses/coaches/etc) of the area, which could mean you will hit all the high spots but not have to drive!!

I'm also looking forward to your photos and hope you have already been practising with your new camera.

Nikon D3100.  Got the better lens package --- 18-55 lens plus the 55-300 lens...I'm having fun with the big lens, even though this is my first serious camera and I am mostly leaving it on AUTO at this point!  LOL  I intend to learn how to use it properly, and to experiment a lot on my trip!

I plan to rent the car in Bristol, but not to drive around in the city at all.  Will arrive there by train, and I now may only stop for a few hours, based on your feedback, instead of staying overnight.  I have a reason for wanting to stop there, and it seems the right place to rent the car before heading into the west country, no?  Otherwise, I would need to rent in Oxford, my last stop before Bristol...or maybe Ron will just loan me his car for the week?  Hahaha!!

Thanks again for all your suggestions!  How about Dunster?  St. Ives?  Just?  And has anyone been down to St. Nectan's falls outside of Tintegal?  The area that is supposed to be sacred?  It is for sale now, and I hear it is possible that it may not be open to the public in the future...it is beautiful in the pictures I've seen.

Joni

Hi Joni.  How exciting!  I think if you don't have any specific itinerary or "must see" sites to visit, just play it by ear and you'll do fine.  A word of caution though, Cornwall is a lot bigger than it looks on the map and it's hours between one end and the other and all the little towns and villages in between, although since it's the off season, it might not be too bad.  We visited Bude and it was really lovely.  I've not been to Port Isaac, but I watch Doc Martin on TV just to see all the great shots of the town.

Salisbury and Stonehenge are also in the general vicinity and are also wonderful.  Have a great trip!!

Yes, Dunster is definitely worth a visit! Sherborne in Dorset, which is about 40 miles due south of Bristol is also a gem:

Picture by Sue Tym

Picture by ian aufflick

Picture by Garry Cane