Bridging the Counties: How to do both Cornwall & Devon in one trip

Discover both counties during your stay…

The River Tamar has spent centuries keeping Cornwall and Devon apart, but we think it does a far better job of bringing them together.

Tamar View Holiday Park and Notter Bridge Holiday Park both sit on the Cornish side of the valley, close enough to the river that Devon is never more than a short drive away. Wake up to birdsong and valley views, then choose your day: a Tudor house on a sleepy quay, a harbour town with a fishing fleet, or Plymouth’s historic waterfront just over the bridge.

Everything below is within about 30 minutes of at least one of our parks, and most are within easy reach of both. So you can spend your morning in one county, lunch in the other, and be back for a soak in the hot tub before the sun goes down.

Drive times are approximate and based on quiet roads. Allow a little longer at busy times such as half-terms and bank holidays.

On the Cornish side

South East Cornwall is the county’s quieter side, and that’s exactly why we love it. Away from the busier resorts further west, it’s a corner of wooded river valleys, fishing harbours and hidden coves where the pace slows right down. You’ll find Tudor houses and old mining stacks, coast paths with sweeping sea views and village pubs that welcome muddy paws. It’s the Cornwall that locals keep to themselves, right on our doorstep.

Cornwall

Cotehele

Tamar View: 6 mins · Notter Bridge: 16 mins

A Tudor house tucked into the valley, with terraced gardens that tumble down to an old river quay. Walk the woodland paths along the Tamar, then warm up with a cream tea. Keep an eye on the National Trust website for any upcoming events at Cotehele.

Visit Cotehele

Cornwall

Calstock

Tamar View: 9 mins · Notter Bridge: 19 mins

A riverside village with a grand railway viaduct striding across the water into Devon. It’s the perfect picture of two counties joined together. Stop off for a pub lunch, watch the river and wave at the train.

Cornwall

Kit Hill

Tamar View: 9 mins · Notter Bridge: 14 mins

Climb to the old mine stack and you’ll see both counties laid out at once, from Dartmoor to the Cornish coast. Part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, and a cracking dog walk on a clear day.

Cornwall

Whitsand Bay

Notter Bridge: 20 mins · Tamar View: 30 mins

Miles of sandy coves beneath dramatic cliffs. These beaches are a delight all year round, you might even be lucky enough to see some dolphins. The paths down are steep, so wear proper shoes and save your energy for the climb back.

Cornwall

Kingsand and Cawsand

Notter Bridge: 25 mins · Tamar View: 35 mins

Twin villages of narrow lanes and pastel cottages on the Rame Peninsula. Here’s a fun fact: Kingsand was officially part of Devon until the boundary moved in 1844, so you can still stand where the old county line once ran, marked just next to The Halfway House Inn.

Cornwall

Looe

Notter Bridge: 20 mins · Tamar View: 30 mins

A proper Cornish harbour town split by the river, with a working fishing fleet, a sandy beach and fish and chips on the quay. Look out for playful seals from the Banjo Pier.

Over the bridge into Devon

Cross the Tamar and the scenery changes again. On one side sits Plymouth, a historic waterfront city full of maritime stories, great food and rainy day museums. On the other, Dartmoor rises up with open moorland, granite tors and wild ponies. Between the two, Devon’s market towns and grand country estates make for easy, unhurried days out. Then it’s back over the bridge to Cornwall for a quiet evening at the park.

Devon

Plymouth Barbican

Notter Bridge: 19 mins · Tamar View: 27 mins

Cobbled streets, independent shops, restaurants and the Mayflower Steps, where so many voyages began. The Plymouth Aquarium sits right on the harbour, so it’s an easy rainy day plan with children (and a dry one, too).

Devon

The Box, Plymouth

Notter Bridge: 17 mins · Tamar View: 24 mins

Plymouth’s museum and gallery, full of maritime history, natural history and contemporary art under one roof. A brilliant fallback when the weather turns. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming exhibitions and events.

The Box, Plymouth

Devon

Royal William Yard

Notter Bridge: 25 mins · Tamar View: 32 mins

A grand former naval yard turned waterfront hub of restaurants, bakeries and bars. Follow the coast path round to Devil’s Point, a favourite swim spot for the locals, and watch the ships slip in and out of the Sound.

Devon

Saltram House & Park

Notter Bridge: 20 mins · Tamar View: 27 mins

A National Trust Georgian house set in wide parkland beside the River Plym. The riverside paths are perfect for a long, muddy-boots dog walk. Stop off for a delicious baked good at the Cafe before exploring the house & gardens.

Visit Saltram

Devon

Tavistock

Tamar View: 18 mins · Notter Bridge: 28 mins

A handsome market town on the edge of Dartmoor, built on copper wealth. Browse the Pannier Market, then head up onto the moor for big skies and wild ponies.

Devon

Morwellham Quay

Tamar View: 20 mins · Notter Bridge: 30 mins

A historic river port on the Devon bank of the Tamar, where copper once left the valley by the boatload. A great way to see the river from the other side. This is a great family day out, get transported back in time with their recreations of the past.

Visit Morwellham Quay

Make your annual leave go further in 2027

With a little planning, 4 days of leave can become 10 days away. Line your break up with a bank holiday and the weekends do the heavy lifting.

A few quick tips before you book:

Check with your employer first. Some workplaces count bank holidays as part of your allowance, so it’s worth confirming how yours works.
Pick your favourites. Using every idea above would take 29 days of leave, so choose the breaks that matter most.
Scotland and Northern Ireland differ slightly. These dates are for England and Wales.
Plan ahead for the widest choice. Getting your dates in early means more lodges to choose from!

Bank holiday	Book off	Leave used	Time away
New Year	Mon 4 – Fri 8 Jan	5 days	10 days (Fri 1 – Sun 10 Jan)
Easter	Tue 30 Mar – Fri 2 Apr	4 days	10 days (Fri 26 Mar – Sun 4 Apr)
Early May	Tue 4 – Fri 7 May	4 days	9 days (Sat 1 – Sun 9 May)
Spring	Tue 1 – Fri 4 Jun	4 days	9 days (Sat 29 May – Sun 6 Jun)
Summer	Tue 31 Aug – Fri 3 Sep	4 days	9 days (Sat 28 Aug – Sun 5 Sep)
Christmas	Mon 20 – Fri 24 Dec and Wed 29 – Fri 31 Dec	8 days	17 days (Sat 18 Dec – Mon 3 Jan 2028)

Find out more at Secret London

Your base for both counties

One valley, two counties and more days out than one break can hold. Whether you fancy hot tub evenings with Tamar Valley views or a riverside lodge at Notter Bridge, we’ve got something for everyone.

Tamar View Holiday Park: Luxury lodges and cottage tucked into the Tamar Valley, most with private hot tubs and sweeping valley views. Dog-friendly throughout, quiet, and perfectly placed for Dartmoor and South East Cornwall’s best beaches.

Explore Tamar View Holiday Park →

Notter Bridge Holiday Park: A nature-lover’s retreat on the River Lynher, with spacious lodges, glamping pods, and woodland walks right from the park. An ideal base for South East Cornwall, the Eden Project, and the stunning Rame Peninsula.

Explore Notter Bridge Holiday Park →

Bring all of the family 🐾

All four of our parks are fully dog-friendly and we mean properly dog-friendly, not just ‘dogs tolerated in one specific field.’

Here’s what’s waiting for your four-legged travel companion:

A doggy welcome pack on arrival, because they deserve a proper greeting
Dedicated dog walking areas on park space to stretch, sniff, and explore
Dog wash facilities for the post-walk muddy paws situation (you know the one)
Dog-friendly accommodation throughout lodges and glamping pods
Up to 2 dogs welcome per booking, no need to leave anyone behind
Woodland trails and countryside walks right from the park gate
Quiet, relaxed parks with no loud entertainment – better for anxious or sensitive dogs

Get 4 nights for the price of 3

Book a 4-Night Midweek Break this November or December and Get 1 Night Free!

Winter is for slowing down, and midweek is the best time to do it. Book four nights and the fourth is on us: more time for muddy walks, long lie-ins and doing absolutely nothing, with a night’s saving to show for it. Bring the dog, pack the wellies and escape for less.

✔ 4-night midweek breaks
✔ 1 night free when you book 4 nights
✔ Dog-friendly holidays

Offer available for a limited time.

4 Nights for the Price of 3…

BOOK 4 MIDWEEK NIGHTS AND GET 1 FREE...

Get 1 Night Free until 21st December from

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are Tamar View and Notter Bridge in Cornwall or Devon?

Both are in Cornwall, on the Cornish side of the River Tamar. Devon and Plymouth are a short drive or train ride away.

Q2. How many dogs can I bring?

We welcome up to two dogs per booking across our parks. If you’re travelling with more, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.

Q3. Can I explore without a car?

Yes, but you may be limited on some days out. The Tamar Valley Line runs from Calstock and Gunnislake to Plymouth, and trains from Saltash cross the Royal Albert Bridge into the city.

Q5. What dog facilities are available on park?

Our parks offer dedicated dog walking areas, dog wash facilities, and dog-friendly accommodation throughout. Dogs receive a welcome pack on arrival, and the surrounding area offers incredible walks direct from the park gate.