No coach tour of the south west is complete without a trip to Clovelly in North Devon, and group travel expert Julie Cousins writes: “Just how glorious is this view… and it’s all yours when you head to the village of Clovelly in North Devon: still a fully functioning fishing village, hanging on the edge of a 400ft cliff.

“Step foot on its cobbled streets and you’ll travel back more than 100 years, as you leave your transport in the car park at the visitors’ centre and travel under your own steam (Land Rover taxis up the steep hill to the visitors’ centre are the only vehicles you’ll find). Keen to take a guided tour, we were met by Jana Edwards, who showed us a brief film outlining the history of the village before we headed out. Jana’s hugely knowledgeable about the Rouse Family, who’ve owned the village since Elizabethan times. She explained that the main source of transport to get shopping and goods down to the village are man-powered sledges (donkeys used to pull the sledges, but are now here to give children a ride). Suffice to say anything, such as moving house, is a long and laborious task...

“My partner Mark and I stayed at the Red Lion, one of two hotels that serve the village; the other is the New Inn. There are also several smaller B&Bs, as well as a hostel. Right on the harbour front, the Red Lion has its main hotel together with a row of further bedrooms converted from an old store called the Sail Loft, which are very swish. Top tip: if you like the idea of waking up to the sound of the sea washing on the shore these are ideal. The food is very tasty and varied, and you can either sit in the bar and eat or dine in the spacious restaurant.”

Plan your trip at devonstopattractions.co.uk