Bond-inspired Itinerary - Southern England
From taking to the skies to diving and off-roading, Cornwall and Devon offer ample opportunities for visitors to experience part of the Bond lifestyle. Mixing luxurious restaurant settings with outdoor adventure, the West Country is packed with 007-style experiences to get pulses racing…
DAY 1
9.00 Try out scuba diving with Dive Newquay
Visitors can get a feel for scuba diving with support from an SSI Instructor at Dive Newquay and learn similar scuba skills to those possessed by Bond in Thunderball and Licence to Kill. Mixing classroom learning with pool sessions and time in open water, the course enables visitors to understand the basics of exploring the underwater world. More than 200 wreck sites can be found within 10 miles of Dive Newquay, while its position in the Newquay and Gannel Marine Conservation Zone means there’s a diverse maritime ecosystem to explore.
Try Scuba Diving costs from £99. Equipment hire is also available from Dive Newquay for those with prior diving experience.
12.00 Enjoy lunch at The Scarlet
With stunning vistas out over the Atlantic Ocean, visitors can stop off for lunch at the Scarlet to sample contemporary European dishes with the delights of Cornwall at their heart. Sourcing a range of produce from the surrounding Cornish waters and countryside, head chef Craig Davies has crafted delicious menus that change with the seasons.
Or get a taste for Michelin-starred food
Alternatively, they can venture to Padstow for lunch to sample Michelin-starred food at Paul Ainsworth at No. 6. Its warm surroundings in a striking Georgian townhouse are complemented by a modern British menu based around locally sourced Cornish produce – booking in advance is a must!
13.30 Sit back and relax
Even the most active secret agents need a little time to themselves! Visitors looking to relax can pop in to the Scarlet Spa, with its stunning views over Mawgan Porth Beach, for an array of treatments that focus on holistic wellbeing and the nourishment of the mind, body and soul. With its roots in the healing science and wisdom of Ayurveda, this spiritual spa offers traditional bathing rituals and massage treatments, as well as a cliff top hot tub to relax and take in the views of the north Cornish coast.
Spa treatments and experiences vary in price, costing from £25. Scarlet Journeys, including a range of treatments, cost from £240 per person.
18.30 Savour the local catches and enjoy the sea breeze
Set on the Cornish coast beside the Watergate Bay Hotel, Emily Scott Food offers local meat, fish, and seafood straight from the Cornish waters. Mixing her passion for nature with a comfortable dining experience, visitors can tuck in while enjoying delightful sea views. Booking in advance is recommended.
DAY 2
10.00 Get off-road at the Land Rover Experience West Country centre
Travellers looking for an adrenaline rush can begin day two of the adventure by practicing driving in 135 acres of spectacular surroundings at the Land Rover Experience West Country centre. From Wessington Farm, a Victorian dairy dating back to 1897, they can try out the latest Land Rover models while tackling steep inclines, rough terrain and deep rutted muddy tracks. As Land Rover’s first regional experience centre to be developed in the UK, there’s a range of adventurous experiences and an impressive 35-acre off-road course where visitors can really hone their skills.
One-hour Land Rover taster experiences cost from £130, half-day courses from £325, full-day and advanced experiences from £525.
13.00 Taste tradition with lunch at Bovey Castle
After a morning of off-roading, hungry visitors can stop for lunch in the heart of Dartmoor National Park at Bovey Castle. First opened as a hotel and golf resort in 1930, the charming building is home to Smith’s Brasserie, offering a scrumptious lunch menu of British classics alongside roaring fires and traditional furnishings.
14.00 Try clay pigeon shooting
Hidden away among the vast expanse of the Bovey Castle estate is a small clay pigeon shooting venue, aimed at beginner and novice shooters. Here, visitors can try their hand at this thrilling country pursuit under expert supervision, or venture off-site to shoot with the rugged Devon moorland as the backdrop.
On-site shoots cost £50, with off-site shoots priced at £75 per person (minimum two people). All necessary equipment is provided.
16.00 Dartmoor Land Rover tour
Discover local history and folklore during a Dartmoor Land Rover tour from Bovey Castle, taking in the stunning scenery of the National Park on the way. Visitors can spy the moorlands and greenery from the back of a Land Rover Defender 110 and grab the chance to stop-off on the way to take in the region’s untamed beauty.
Guided nature tours are available from £80 per hour per vehicle. A one-hour whistle-stop tour is £80 per vehicle. Guided bespoke walks are priced at £30 per person.
19.00 Sample the famous pies at The Coppa Dolla Inn
Nestled in the quaint village of Broadhempston, the Coppa Dolla Inn offers the roaring log fires and rustic furnishings of a traditional country pub, as well as a delectable pie menu. The family-run pub traces the origins of its famous 2in1 pies back to 1978, serving up a mix of delicious fillings as well as creamy cauliflower cheese – just what a secret agent needs after a day in the field. Booking is highly recommended.
Or round off the trip with striking harbour views
Overlooking the picturesque Torquay harbour, The Elephant serves up seasonal Michelin-starred food in bright informal surroundings. Ingredients are sustainably sourced from the restaurant’s dedicated farm in Brixham, promising a carefully curated menu of fresh local produce. Run by chef proprietor Simon Hulstone and his wife Katy, The Elephant has maintained its Michelin-starred status for 15 years.
Restrictions on travel to and around Britain are in place due to Covid-19. Visitors are encouraged to always check individual websites for the latest information, as details are subject to change.